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OOPS! Dex III instead of Dex VI ???

R

rossscrappy

New member
what are the consiquences of mixing dex III in the tranny with dex VI?

Stupid mexican at Vatozone told me to run the dex merc in my tranny when i did my filter and after looking online it says it calls for dex VI? is this true and did i mess anythign up by doing this?:th_lipssealed2:
 


Wait, what exactly did you run? Dex III, Dex VI, or Mercron?

Dexron is a GM spec fluid. The old spec is Dexron III. This was replaced a few years ago with Dexron VI. All GM transmissions old and new can run Dexron VI fluid. And they should as that fluid is much better than Dexron III.

Mercron spec fluid is not a GM approved fluid and is not recommended in GM transmissions.
 
crap i put in dexmerc even though it is not gm approved do you think it will harm anything? *EDIT* it says on the back that it is compatiblle with 98-2005 gm cars where dex III is required. sounds gm approved to me
 
Ford and GM have very similar fluids, (most likely the same) I know the Dex VI is similar to the new mercon they use in the new 6 speed auto fords because they're the same transmission.

Hence people selling "Dex/merc" tranny fluid.
 


rossscrappy said:
Stupid mexican at Vatozone told me to run the dex merc in my tranny
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A lot of auto parts stores will sell you Dex/Merc generic fluid because the DexVI is nearly twice the price per quart, and that upsets the cheap-o's. When I have someone come in and ask for fluid on a newer GM car, I'll recommend the DexVI, but also show them the generic and let them choose. BTW, Wal-Mart sells DexVI cheaper than Autozone sells Dex/Merc generic.
 
rossscrappy said:
crap i put in dexmerc even though it is not gm approved do you think it will harm anything? *EDIT* it says on the back that it is compatiblle with 98-2005 gm cars where dex III is required. sounds gm approved to me
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What you probably used was a Mercron Spec fluid. Meaning that it is an approved Mercron fluid. But it also is compatible with the Dex III fluid. But it might not meet all the specs. Fluid specs are kinda funny.

But you will be fine. Just in the future stick to Dex VI fluid and don't listen to the guys trying to sell you parts behind the counter.
 
Zef_66 said:
What you probably used was a Mercron Spec fluid. Meaning that it is an approved Mercron fluid. But it also is compatible with the Dex III fluid. But it might not meet all the specs. Fluid specs are kinda funny.

But you will be fine. Just in the future stick to Dex VI fluid and don't listen to the guys trying to sell you parts behind the counter.
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Some you can trust. I'm the one who sends people to the dealership for fluids if we don't have the exact one that is designed for that app. In otherwords, we carry the "regular" green coolant, dexcool, powersteering for GM's and fords. Ford type F tranny fluid, ATF +4, Dex III, Dex VI and one other standard for Allision transmissions and the rest I won't reccommend. Straight to the dealer for the rest.

Some could say, I'm don't really rep my store all that well, but my defense is, I don't like selling people sh*t or the wrong sh*t. :th_jester:
 
matt5112 said:
Some could say, I'm don't really rep my store all that well, but my defense is, I don't like selling people sh*t or the wrong sh*t. :th_jester:
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I agree and am glad you are that way. But I have heard too many counter jockeys recommend the wrong stuff, or make recommendations that they shouldn't be without knowing a lot more information. A general rule (in most of life) is take everyone's advice with a grain of salt. Even my own. Do your own research and come up with your own conclusion. Do just take some random dude's opinion on it.
 


Zef_66 said:
I agree and am glad you are that way. But I have heard too many counter jockeys recommend the wrong stuff, or make recommendations that they shouldn't be without knowing a lot more information. A general rule (in most of life) is take everyone's advice with a grain of salt. Even my own. Do your own research and come up with your own conclusion. Do just take some random dude's opinion on it.
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I can second that, a lot of the stuff I hear other employees saying tends to be complete BS.
 
matt5112 said:
Ford and GM have very similar fluids, (most likely the same) I know the Dex VI is similar to the new mercon they use in the new 6 speed auto fords because they're the same transmission.

Hence people selling "Dex/merc" tranny fluid.
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Type FA is for Ford
Dexron Mercon is GM - no matter the number

Don't mix
 
DanGTP said:
Dang! Wanna come down here and work at my store?
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Haha, paying more than $9.75 an hour? Soon to be $10.50 when minimum wage goes up in the spring. :p

SnowDrift said:
Type FA is for Ford
Dexron Mercon is GM - no matter the number

Don't mix
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IRRC ford type F is more viscous to support the odd tranny setup ford used in the 70's and some 80's cars. You basically can't mix that with anything but itself.

Ford has switched to Mercon since then.
 
The fluid you bought sounds like the container that says Dextron III/Mercron.

Simply put that's the replacement fluid that meets the Dex III and Mercron specs.
 


SnowDrift said:
Type FA is for Ford
Dexron Mercon is GM - no matter the number

Don't mix
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What? Dexron is a GM specification for their tranny fluid.

Type F/FA is the old Ford tranny fluid specification.

Mercon is the new (1987+) fluid specs for Ford tranny fluid. The newest being Mercon V.

So no, Dexron does not equal Mercon. They are not the same. They can not always be used interchangeably. So please, please, please, don't offer wrong advice.
 
Zef_66 said:
What? Dexron is a GM specification for their tranny fluid.

Type F/FA is the old Ford tranny fluid specification.

Mercon is the new (1987+) fluid specs for Ford tranny fluid. The newest being Mercon V.

So no, Dexron does not equal Mercon. They are not the same. They can not always be used interchangeably. So please, please, please, don't offer wrong advice.
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I've never seen a bottle of Mercon or a bottle of Dexron, separately. The only thing I have ever seen is "Dexron/Mercon" followed by a roman numeral, depending on what the latest formula is and I've ran it in every transmission I've ever owned (all GM) up until I got my hands on a 4T60E, where I switched to Mobil 1. If it's available in some other way, then that's news to me. Type FA has been for fords as long as I have known. If there's something new, then that, too is news to me. I can't say I know a whole lot about the ford since I'm not on their team, so I won't debate you.

Are you saying you can purchase a bottle of "Dexron" or a bottle of "Mercon" - either one you want? Maybe I misunderstand you. The last case of ATF I bought was Dexron/Mercon IV, I believe. I run it in my 4L80E and my 4T60E. My 4L60E gets Mobil 1 ATF only.
 
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