Dexron VI Factory Equivelent trans fluid

[Jason789]

Is anyone running a Dexron 6 equivelent trans fluid in there TD5 ZF?

If so, What brand?

I recently had my ZF rebuilt by a reputible trans specialist and they put their own(which isn't for sale) factory brand Dexron 6 trans fluid which is apparently good for 40-50,000km.

I have been running Penrite ATF-FS which is Dexron 3 but with some characteristics of Dexron 6.

Any comments and opoinions will be appreciated.

Cheers,

Jason

[twr7cx]

Why Dexron 6 though? Surely when the ZF as fitted to the D2's came out this wasn't around, or certainly wasn't easily available, so why not the correct specified fluid for the gearbox instead? Land Rover and ZF have their own fluid specifications for the box. The ZF specifications will look like TE-ML04D format. Find the correct specification for the box and use a fluid that meets that rather.
According to the Land Rover Discovery 2 Workshop Manual < http://www.landroverresource.com/docs/D2_Workshop_Manual.pdf >, it is:

Automatic Gearbox: Use Texamatic 9226, ATF Dexron 11D or Dexron 111 for refill and topping-up
According to https://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/80979-best-way-swap-trans-fluid-zf-2.html#post994484 it is ZF TE-ML-11. The Penrite ATF-FS that you've been using meets this < https://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/atf-fs-full-syn#specs-tab >. I don't see this specification being listed for any of the Dexron 6 fluids though, that would concern me...
According to Texaco TEXAMATIC 9226 , ATF OIL (http://www.lubebase.com/cgi-bin/ctl/lube/Texaco-TEXAMATIC-9226?id=3054) the Texamatic 9226 fluid meets the ZF TE-ML-11 specification.

I notice that the Mobile website < Mobil™ DEXRON-VI ATF (https://mobiloil.com/en/automatic-transmission-fluid/dexron-vi-atf) > really specifies multiple times that the Dexron-VI is a General Motors (GM) specification. The Valvoline one < Valvoline DEXRON™-VI ATF : Product Catalog - Valvoline™ (https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/automatic-transmission-products/dexron-vi-atf) > does too but does also mention that it's backwards compatible.

The higher number version doesn't always mean a superior product. e.g. brake fluid where Dot 5 is not compatible as a replacement for Dot 3/4, or in cases where it may be interchangeable it is not necessarily always superior in every way, e.g. in my Mazda fun car, the gearbox requires GL-3 oil, not GL-4 oil, as it has properties that protect the brass parts.

Isn't it strange that they have a Dexron 6 fluid and won't sell a quantity of it? Especially to a customer whose transmission they've rebuilt? After sale support like that would certainly turn me off them...

Looks to me like Mobil, Castrol, Valvoline and Nulon all offer Dexron VI fluids so take your pick.


I recently had my ZF rebuilt by a reputible trans specialist and they put their own(which isn't for sale) factory brand Dexron 6 trans fluid which is apparently good for 40-50,000km.

Land Rover Discovery 2 Maintenance Schedule < http://www.landroverresource.com/docs/D2_03-04.pdf >has the ATF change at 2 years/48,000km, so your not getting any longer with with the Dex6.

[PhilipA]

IMHO if you want a higher quality Fluid go for a synthetic Dex111 such as Castrol Transmax Z.

It is also on the ZF approved list for 4HP22EH.

I was talking about it yesterday with a very experienced machanic and he said that in the past he had used it on slipping transmissions and it had fixed them.
My RRC at 240KK had perfect operation of its 4HP22 having used TransmaxZ from about 39KK.

Regards Philip A

[thai_tiger]

x2 for transmax z. Had a trans service recently using Z and it has transformed it, gear changes are more defined and generally feels fresher not as sluggish.
It is more expensive so wait for one of the cheap retailers to have a sale on then price match with the others.[thumbsupbig]

[twr7cx]

IMHO if you want a higher quality Fluid go for a synthetic Dex111 such as Castrol Transmax Z.

Very hard to source now. Repco and Supercheap Auto have stopped stocking it - it doesn't list on the SCA website anymore even. This is why many on here moved to Penrite ATF-FS instead. I have heard that it is still available in large quantities so some have had bottles filled and purchased from dealers/mechanics etc.

[PhilipA]

It's on ebay now from Sparesbox for $77 plus free delivery. So not hard to get.

Regards Philip A

[thai_tiger]

Repco had it on special (25% off all trans fluid) but went to another who matched the 25% but at a lower list price =$66 bought 8L and stored it ready[wink11]

[rick130]

Dex VI is a low viscosity fluid and FWIW most aren't full synthetics but very high quality semi-synthetics.
Yes, it's backwwards compatible for any trans that specced a DexIII H fluid but as mentioned Penrite ATF FS and Castrol Transmax Z are still available, are full synthetics (the Penrite is Group III base if I'm correct, Transmax Z is a Group IV) and are a higher viscosity fluid that the old girl was designed around and work really well in the old 4 speed.

[twr7cx]

the Penrite is Group III base if I'm correct

Out of interest, is there a way to check and confirm?

[rick130]

Out of interest, is there a way to check and confirm?

Not a cheap test, IIRC you need liquid and gas chromatography. I've seen the results of a test, it's bloody interesting and it's how oils are reverse engineered.

Quite few years ago I was told that Penrite's Group III bases came from Korea and were exceptionally high quality, equal to Shell's Group III oils, this coming from an independent analyst in the US. Whether they still do I don't know, but I'm using their ATF FS in my 4HP22.

A good GroupIII oil is pretty much equal to a GroupIV oil in oxidation resistance and overall performance, just lagging in low temp fluidity which isn't something we have to worry about in Australia.

[CU55TM Disco]

Not a cheap test, IIRC you need liquid and gas chromatography. I've seen the results of a test, it's bloody interesting and it's how oils are reverse engineered.

Quite few years ago I was told that Penrite's Group III bases came from Korea and were exceptionally high quality, equal to Shell's Group III oils, this coming from an independent analyst in the US. Whether they still do I don't know, but I'm using their ATF FS in my 4HP22.

A good GroupIII oil is pretty much equal to a GroupIV oil in oxidation resistance and overall performance, just lagging in low temp fluidity which isn't something we have to worry about in Australia.

This Rick??

141653

[rick130]

This Rick??

141653

That's what I'm using ATM.
It was available at a good price and lockup is smooooth.

If you can get Transmax Z at a good price I wouldn't hesitate in using it either.

[CU55TM Disco]

That's what I'm using ATM.
It was available at a good price and lockup is smooooth.

If you can get Transmax Z at a good price I wouldn't hesitate in using it either.

Transmax Z was quite a bit dearer than the Penrite I think last time I checked.

What are U doing for filters? Genuine or otherwise???

[rick130]

Engine oil and air filters either Mann or genuine (Mann!) and same for the rotor, the full flow either genuine, Mann or Mahle, and the auto I grabbed a kit from Mario and I think it's Bearmach?
The screen looks fine.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

There is a good reason the Transmax Z is expensive,,
it also is applicable for power steer and ACE systems,,
(and when was the last time you priced some Penrite PAS fluid?:Thump:)

and after how long now Rick? is still the gearbox fluid by which all other are judged.[smilebigeye]

[rick130]

Yep, it was an amazing fluid when it came out and I remember being told it also met the GL4 gear oil spec, as do only a couple of other boutique (read exxy) ATF's.

Regarding backwards compatibility of Dex VI, I've read you don't use it in the old fully mechanical/hydraulic AT's, it just doesn't work well but it's ok in anything with a lock up clutch.
The rule of thumb was any US trans post 2000 it was ok.

In a ZF I'd probably stick to the higher visc fluids, or anything on the ZF Approved list.

[CU55TM Disco]

Engine oil and air filters either Mann or genuine (Mann!) and same for the rotor, the full flow either genuine, Mann or Mahle, and the auto I grabbed a kit from Mario and I think it's Bearmach?
The screen looks fine.

I got a (shudder) Britpart trans filter kit from the UK - im a bit skeptical whether to use it or not...

[rick130]

I got a (shudder) Britpart trans filter kit from the UK - im a bit skeptical whether to use it or not...I hear you, I'd be reluctant to use anything out of a blue box too!