Atf fluid opions please

[tekfire07]

Hi I am looking to do a fluid change on my Tahoe. Because I am not sure when or if it has been serviced. With that being said. With the tight tolerance GM had for licensing of Dextron VI. Are they all the same? For example is Wal-Mart Dextron VI the same as Valvoline and AC Delco? I understand that Amzoil ATF is different and not fair to compair to store brands.
Erik

 

[B-train]

I'm not an expert, but I've used various brands of Dextron6 over the years without any issues. From what I understand about oils, if its labeled to meet a certain criteria, then it meets the standards defined by such.

However, the base stocks used in oils can vary depending on how cheap a manufacturer wants to get. Hence Amsoil being in a league of their own.

You'd be surprised how many 'different' oils, filters, etc are made by the same company. Just change the recipe a little depending on what the customer wants.

Long winded, sorry. I'd say go with whatever fits your budget and/or feelings of value.

 

[Blackcar]

I would use whatever is in owner's manual and usually if discontinued there will be part number for fluid for replacement, I like to use whatever manufacture says to use.

 

[Geotrash]

There are meaningful differences between various ATF formulations, even when they all conform to the Dexron VI specification. For example, AC Delco brand doesn't contain seal conditioners, but Valvoline and most other aftermarket brands do. Personally, I use Valvoline MaxLife.

 

[Foggy]

The maxlife is a good choice as your tahoe is "older" now and prob has a few miles..
That being said, Any DexRon VI Spec fluid will be fine.. Make sure you use a quality
filter like ACDelco/GM , Wix or ATP

 

[OR VietVet]

With my very soon to be 150k mile rig, I did the transmission Genuine GM filter kit and flushed with AC Delco Dexron VI and never looked back. Performed flawlessly on the recent 5k+ miles trip accelerating hard up the passes. I am tempted, with the miles now, to switch to all Amsoil all the time but need to be talked in to it. I have the rig up for sale but that may be going by the wayside soon anyway. My girl loves the Tahoe after she drove it about 1000 miles of that 5k+ miles trip. She is selling her 04 Tacoma we just bought. Says it drives different than she is used to, is lifted 3" with rock sliders on it and hates climbing up in to it.

 

[donjetman]

Hi I am looking to do a fluid change on my Tahoe. Because I am not sure when or if it has been serviced. With that being said. With the tight tolerance GM had for licensing of Dextron VI. Are they all the same? For example is Wal-Mart Dextron VI the same as Valvoline and AC Delco? I understand that Amzoil ATF is different and not fair to compair to store brands.
Erik

4 yrs and 50k miles ago we bought our very used 131k mile Yukon Denali. Changed ALL (11-12 qts) the ATF with AC Delco Dexron VI and new filter. 43k miles and 2 used atf analysis reports later I dropped/changed 6 qts w/Dexron VI and the filter. I plan to do a pan fluid & fiter change every 25k miles. I may use Amsoil ATL in the future. I've been using it in my Toyota successfully for 200k miles. Here a thread I did last April: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/atf-lab-results-dexron-vi-43k-miles-on-fluid.134360/

 

[Just Fishing]

I usually buy this stuff.

https://a.co/d/cO6bF3P

Search amazon for the best price, lots of different part numbers come up for the same "ACDelco GM Original Equipment Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 gal" search
Prices can vary depending on the seller and the PN available at the time.

I usually go with a good 3 to 4 gallons to have on hand, it sucks when you don't have enough to complete the fill.

I also have a cheap fluid suction tool that I stick down the dipstick hole, helps to remove fluid from the transmission pan before you remove the bolts.
And it's an easy follow up to drain more fluid after the filter change.

Drive a little, make sure it shifts through all of the gears a few times and then suck and fill again.
I usually call 3x good enough as long the fluid looks nice and red when I'm done.