Jeresous

I feel like a bit of an idiot posting this because I am aware that no oil is capable of lasting forever. However what a local mechanic told me has scared me out of changing my 99 WS6 Trans Ams transmission oil. Basically his words were that my transmission, along with several other GM manuals, have a special fluid put in at the factory that is not suppose to be changed. He also stated that when people have changed it in the past they run into problems not long after. Now im paranoid about changing it because I dont want to mess up my transmission but at the same time I know that metal parts wear and the metal gets into the fluid which in turn causes more damage so im paranoid about NOT changing it as well. My T/A now has 68,000 miles on it. Has anyone heard of anything like this with GM transmissions? or can anyone verify that its BS?

Black1997T/A

Well, there is an orange sticker right on the transmission that says to used Dexron 3. Afterall , they put that sticker on at the factory. If it makes You feel better just call a local GM dealer and they will tell You the same. So yep He's B.S.ing You.

SSDriver

iTrader: (2)

Yeah he's full of s&*t. Go ahead an change your fluid. I would however recommend using GM Synchromesh. All the T56 rebuilders I've talked to recommend it over ATF.

-William

SSDriver

iTrader: (2)

oh Also I think your year falls under one of the years with the old style parts that you can NOT use full synthetic ATF in. So keep that in mind when you buy fluid.

-William

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

Go get some synchromesh and call it a day...tell your local mechanic to go eat a dick. Special oil my ***.

2000 TAWS6

iTrader: (1)

1. Get a new mechanic.
2. Buy some Dexron III, non-synthetic (1 gallon) and a hand pump. If a T56, don't know about A4's.

hammerhead

iTrader: (1)

I've changed mine twice since new at approx 30K and 60K miles with the stock GM Dexrtron Auto fluid & I've had no problems. I know that's complete overkill for a manual tranny but I like to keep the fluids fresh.

purple98haz28

iTrader: (5)

hey will dexIII/ mercron work?

rush7

iTrader: (2)

yes

chucky2

Jeresous- You didn't say if you had a T-56 or an automatic...

...if you have a T-56, try taking a long, careful read through this long running thread here at LS1Tech: Which T56 fluid?.

...if you have an automatic, I really never did any fluid research on those...all I know about fluid for those is to make sure you don't run any type of Type-F fluids, such as B&M TrickShift. Be careful and do lots of research for a fluid if you do have an automatic...I'd think they'd be much more affected by a wrong lube than would a T-56.

Chuck

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

I used Valvoline ATF dexron mercron III in mine. That is also what I used in my previous a4 car.

I am in the process of rebuilding my tranny now....shitty stock slider keys ....and I will be extensively researching what fluid I use before refilling it. If I don't come up with anything that I really want to use, then I will go with the valvoline ATF as before.

BackinBlack02SS

iTrader: (7)

All you need is dextron 3 ATF, but according to the manual, the T56 fluid never NEEDS to be changed.

NOBR8KSS

iTrader: (12)

This happens a lot in the auto repair business and the reason is simple. If you don't change your tranny fluid, then your tranny will wear out faster, but will still last 150,000 miles or so. When your tranny breaks, you get to pay your local mechanic about $3,000 to replace it. It's in his best interest to tell you not to change the oil.

No offense meant to the honest mechanics on the board.

The only thing special about the T-56 fluid is that the stuff that came from the factory is only available from a dealer. Synchromesh fluid. Don't pay list price for it either...cuz that is about $30/Qt. I think you should be able to get it for closer to $10/Qt

BackinBlack02SS

iTrader: (7)

Since when did synchromesh come in the T56 from the factory?

Ryan02SS

iTrader: (3)

That's what I want to know? If you intend on using Synchromesh in the T56 then buy the Pennzoil Synchromesh at Autozone. It's the same as in the GM bottles as Pennzoil is the supplier of the GM Synchomesh. I've had good results with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

wilddawg

can you use royal purple ATF oil

CJDZ24_Z28

iTrader: (75)

GM Synchromesh, just put some in my 97 5-speed Cavalier Z24 pretty good stuff. Same will go in my SS

bad6as

iTrader: (17)

amsoil atf in mine