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Dexron iii transmission fluid: ATF Dexron-III is an automatic transmission fluid formulated to meet the requirements of General Motors GM 6297M specifications for a Dexron®III and Ford Mercon® Ford transmission fluid.
ATF Dexron-III is a premium automatic transmission fluid specially formulated to meet the needs of today’s more compact transmissions, operating at higher operating temperatures and electronically controlled.
Dexron-III ATF is recommended for use in automatic transmissions where the manufacturer prescribes a GM Dexron IIE, Dexron III or Ford Mercon fluid.
SPECIFICATIONS
ATF Dexron-III, Additional product benefits include:
Superior Protection: Through the use of advanced chemical additives, ATF DX-3 combats the three main causes of transmission failure, heat, deposits and wear.
Improved Viscosity Control – Offers improved performance and durability.
Cold Start Properties: Low temperature viscosity results in better shifting performance at low temperatures.
Wear Protection: Excellent wear protection improves transmission life and shift consistency.
What color is the transmission fluid?
The color of transmission fluid (usually red) is the result of a dye added to help distinguish it from other fluids in your car, such as engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and brake fluid. antifreeze. It can also give you an idea of the condition of the fluid and tell you that it needs to be changed.
While discolored fluid can indicate a possible transmission problem, color shouldn’t be the only reason a shop gives you as proof that you need to clean or have your transmission repaired/replaced (both of which are very profitable for them). An old, worn transmission may have clean red fluid, and a new transmission may have dark fluid. Color doesn’t mean much when taken out of context.
Various other symptoms should also be apparent when there is a real problem. The fluid alone cannot diagnose a problem and be used to prescribe a particular service (probably unnecessary); beware of a shop that thinks otherwise.
What color is clean/new transmission fluid?
When the liquid is new, it has a translucent red color. It can be hard to see on the dipstick, but if you wipe it with a clean white rag, it will turn shiny to dark pink/red.
Color will change over time as it ages, is subjected to heat and friction, and accumulates contaminants (dirt and debris). It usually starts out a bright, translucent pink/red and slowly changes to a darker, browner, more opaque color until it appears to be black. This process is completely normal and does not mean there is a problem.
Manufacturers use several different chemical compounds, resulting in several types of fluids available (ie Dexron, Mercon, ATF+4, etc.). Each type is formulated to work with a particular series of transmissions and may have a slightly different opacity and hue when new compared to other brands.
A good indicator that it’s time to change your transmission fluid is the mileage and the time since it was last done, but in general, the darker or cloudier the fluid, the sooner it should be changed again.
Under normal driving conditions, the fluid should be changed every 2 years or every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Heavy-duty commercial vehicles, such as those used for hauling or towing, get much hotter and require more frequent maintenance.
What color is the used transmission fluid?
As fluid flows around the internal parts of a transmission, it absorbs the heat they generate. It then travels to the front of the engine compartment and past the radiator, where it expels heat and cools before returning to the transmission.
Over time, this process will cause the liquid to darken from a bright, translucent red to a dark red, and eventually brown. This means that the chemical makeup of the ATF is beginning to break down, reducing its ability to remove heat from the transmission and lubricate its moving parts.
It is important to note that some fluid is trapped in the torque converter when the fluid is drained. This old fluid mixes with the new fluid that is added and can give it a brownish tint, even though most of the fluid is new.
What color is dirty transmission fluid?
Age and high temperatures can turn the normally reddish fluid black. This may indicate that the heat removal properties of the fluid are severely compromised and it may not be able to effectively protect internal components from excessive wear. However, as mentioned above, the color alone does not mean there is a problem unless other symptoms are present. The most important thing is that the filter is changed regularly so that it does not become clogged or restricted.
Burnt Transmission Fluid
If the fluid is black and has a burning odor, it indicates that it is no longer removing all of the heat from the transmission or lubricating the internal parts properly and most likely the transmission has suffered some internal damage.
If this is the case, look for metal shavings by dropping the transmission pan. Some metal shavings are to be expected, but a significant amount of debris could indicate severe internal damage, in which case you should have it repaired as soon as possible.
This is one of the most common symptoms of a transmission problem. Unfortunately, changing the fluid usually won’t have much of an effect at this point, so it’s important to make sure your fluid never reaches this stage. If not fixed, the transmission will eventually fail, leaving you with the options of repairing it, replacing it, or buying a new car.
A malfunctioning torque converter, misfiring solenoids, and slipping clutches can also cause the symptom of burned transmission fluid. Hard shifting and slipping when changing gears are symptoms that are usually present at the same time as the burning fluid.
Water or Coolant in the Fluid
If it appears foamy, has a lot of air bubbles, or looks thin (more fluid on the dipstick than normal), then there may be a coolant or antifreeze leak in the transmission fluid.
If a significant amount of water enters a transmission due to flooding/high water or a leak, rust will develop and the transmission will fail.
This problem can be caused by a blockage or leak in the radiator cooling lines. If coolant leaks into the fluid, you won’t be able to lubricate moving parts properly. The chemicals in antifreeze can also cause severe damage to a transmission’s internal components. To fix this, the leak/blockage will need to be addressed and the filter/fluid will need to be changed as well. If a significant amount of foreign fluid has entered, the transmission may need to be rebuilt with new components to replace the damaged ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY VEHICLE USING VALVOLINE MAXLIFE™ FULLY SYNTHETIC ATF. STANDARD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS USED FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE TRANSMISSION. WILL THIS CAUSE A PROBLEM?
No. Switching to synthetic transmission fluid after using a conventional product will not cause any problems. Synthetic and conventional oils are 100 percent compatible.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEXRON® III/MERCON® AND TYPE F TRANSMISSION FLUID?
Valvoline Type F Transmission Fluid is a high quality NON friction modified fluid. DEXRON® III/MERCON includes friction modifiers in the fluid additive package.
DOES VALVOLINE MAKE A SYNTHETIC ATF?
Yes. Valvoline makes several synthetic ATFs. MaxLife® ATF, ATF 4 and DEXRON® VI are synthetic transmission fluids.
IS IT OK TO MIX SYNTHETIC ATF WITH CONVENTIONAL ATF AND/OR SYNTHETIC BLEND?
Yes. Synthetic ATF and conventional fluids are 100 percent compatible with each other.
IS MAXLIFE ATF COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER BRANDS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID?
MaxLife ATF is a multi-vehicle transmission fluid that is compatible with many brands and manufacturer recommendations. Consult the MaxLife Product Data Sheet to determine if MaxLife is compatible with your vehicle application.
IS MAXLIFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AN SP-III FLUID?
MaxLife ATF is 100 percent compatible for use in SP-II and SP-III applications.
CAN MAXLIFE ATF BE USED ON VOLVOS WITH GEARTRONIC TRANSMISSION?
Valvoline MaxLife ATF is suitable for use in Volvo transmissions that require the use of TIV or JWS3309 ATF.
CAN MAXLIFE ATF BE USED WHERE A DEXRON VI FLUID IS REQUIRED?
Yes. MaxLife ATF can be used in DEXRON VI applications.
CAN MAXLIFE ATF BE MIXED WITH DEXRON VI OR SHOULD THE FLUID BE PURGEED BEFORE INSTALLING MAXLIFE ATF?
Valvoline MaxLife ATF Transmission Fluid is 100% compatible with DEXRON VI for mixing or flushing a system.
CAN MAXLIFE ATF BE USED IN APPLICATIONS THAT REQUIRE MERCON-V FLUID?
Yes. MaxLife ATF can be used where a MERCON V* fluid is recommended.
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