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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 11:45 AM
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Default GM fluid ques

Was hoping to get Dextron VI for my transmission. None locally, and the airline considers it a dangerous good.

Did find this fluid locally. Any thoughts on using it? I think it's okay, but since I'm in overthinking territory I felt the need to ask!!

https://lubricants.petro-canada.com/en-us/brand/atf-d3m
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 12:11 PM
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Canuckastan getting that tough on fluids now?
Do you maple leafs have wal-marts? Every walmart I've ever been to in the U-S-of-A has dex6

Use LITERALLY the cheapest fluid you can find that meets the dex6 spec...and you will be fine.
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 12:43 PM
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Yeh, no kidding...I'm too old to take up the paper chase of getting permits and having them denied. And they'd be denied cause I don't vote liberal.
Nearest wal-mart's about 450 miles by air...no roads to here.

Fluid in the link is all I have...all that can be found here. That or nothing, unfortunato. It meets Dex III spec's..that made me hopeful.

it won't create a problem I don't suppose?

jl
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 01:11 PM
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What sort of transmission is this for? If it's a 4L60E, or anything else from that era or prior, then Dex III spec fluid (as linked above) is absolutely fine. That's what these cars came with originally. Dex VI is not a requirement for the older 3 and 4-speed autos so I wouldn't jump through crazy hoops, such as filing for permits, to get it for an older trans that doesn't require it.
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 02:08 PM
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4l60e, 4l80e, th350, th400, powerglide, 2004r, 700r4...they will all work on tractor hydraulic fluid. or dex 3. or power steering fluid. or any other brand (atf+3, atf+4, mercon, merc5, type f, etc) that you can get your hands on.

Something like a 6l80e or newer like that I would recommend you use dex6 or similar...but if it's been rebuilt with aftermarket frictions (raybestos GPZ, alto, etc) then you can get away with any of the aformentioned.

I recommend dex6 most often for its anti-foam characteristics and also its great protection for bushings. John Deere Hygaard actually does better at both imo
but dex3 will not cause your transmission to fail...having too low of fluid level will cause it to fail...getting it 300 degrees will cause it to fail...but the fluid itself is hardly ever to blame. (unless you see excessive bushing wear...them blame type f cuz' it is garbage for lubricity)
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by MaroonMonsterLS1
4l60e, 4l80e, th350, th400, powerglide, 2004r, 700r4...they will all work on tractor hydraulic fluid. or dex 3. or power steering fluid. or any other brand (atf+3, atf+4, mercon, merc5, type f, etc) that you can get your hands on.

Something like a 6l80e or newer like that I would recommend you use dex6 or similar...but if it's been rebuilt with aftermarket frictions (raybestos GPZ, alto, etc) then you can get away with any of the aformentioned.

I recommend dex6 most often for its anti-foam characteristics and also its great protection for bushings. John Deere Hygaard actually does better at both imo
but dex3 will not cause your transmission to fail...having too low of fluid level will cause it to fail...getting it 300 degrees will cause it to fail...but the fluid itself is hardly ever to blame. (unless you see excessive bushing wear...them blame type f cuz' it is garbage for lubricity)
I know for a fact that GM is still producing Dexron VI in multiple places including CANADA. It has to be widely available there!

I personally would not be bothered with the stuff, unless for Units of the 6/8/9/10 speed variety.
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 07:08 PM
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It's available...I can get it from Goose Bay, except it'd have to be air freight to here and the airline considers it a dangerous good!!
Anyplace else it'd be at WalMart, Canadian Tire, dealerships, NAPA probably...but none of those are anywhere near here.
Around here my only option is the type in the link...and people have responded saying its fine to use for my 1995 4L60e purposes.

And thanks everyone for responding with the useful and sometimes humourous comments
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 08:40 PM
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I use tractor fluid, works great for me
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Old Jun 6, 2019 | 11:27 PM
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1995 GM Power-Train 4L60E transmissions would only require the Lubricity standards of Texaco/ GM Dexron III oil...

No need to over-complicate things with Dexron VI oil.
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