1999 S70NAAW50-42 ATF DEX III DEX VI discussion 1161521

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For 'Evita/Phoenicia' the S70, researching choices of ATF

Manual calls for DEX III

I can buy DEX MAXLIFE for the same price via Prime, and the Volvo Guru in TX recommends.

if the engine is a non turbo then it needs fluid meeting JW 3309 or Volvo 1161540 requirements.

It seems that Volvoline MaxLife ATF is available widely in a version (import?) that meets the requirement and has been used by many with no ill effects.
Toyota T-IV is the same spec and that is available at Toyota dealers.

Should I do drain and fill for 3 liters (total 8 liter capacity) or do a flush from upper transmission radiator hose.

Transmission 154k miles, working smoothly in all respects.

Lots of good reviews here

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=76561&p=428566&hili ... fe#p428566

Any thoughts?

[GlennG2759]

For all it's worth, I've noticed a smoother shift after 3 drain and fills with Dex Maxlife in my '94 850. I plan on doing 1 more (that will be 4 over 3000 highway miles). The stuff is relatively cheap also.

[850 LPT]

Just do what Glenn says.

I would try to not overthink this. These transmissions don't require anything fancy as far the fluid. Also, why not play it safe and do a couple of drain and fills until the fluid clears up, then do a flush every 30k in the future.

Usually you get a little more than 3 liters out when you drain btw. From my experience it's more like 3.5 or so.

Dirk

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Thanks Dirk. Im going to move the S70 over to Dex Vi in one gallon increments (capacity listed as 8 quarts) over the next year, via the trans cooler hose purge method (is that the Gibbons method?)

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Trying to document just facts to wrap up this thread. Mon Deiu - there are more rabbit holes and internet experts on ATF fluid than oil change intervals

Should be verifiable

GM terminated all licensing for the production of Dexron III in 2006. The company advised GM vehicle owners that any other manufacturer's claims made of compatibility past 2006 without official GM endorsement would be inaccurate. GM informed the public that the only fluid compatible with Dexron III was the replacement Dexron VI. The automaker then authorized licensing of Dexron VI; GM publishes a list of companies and product names that comply with its specifications for the fluid (see link in Resources section).

I have also found repeated claims that GM states that DEX VI is backward compatible with DEX III, but does not recommend it for "imports that were originally equipped with DEX III" (thats us , of course)

I haven't found a primary reference for the second statement, yet.

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Hey wait, this means Im going to have 3 gallons of used ATF........

[850 LPT]

Hey wait, this means Im going to have 3 gallons of used ATF........

I usually mix that with used engine oil and use it in my chain saw as chain oil

But I know that you can come up with much more creative ideas, hehe...

[Ozark Lee]

Interestingly enough the transfer case on a 4WD Chevy calls for Dex III and they are there are all kinds of warnings not to use anything but Dex III or its equivalent. By equivalent they exclude Dex IV, Dex V, or Dex VI.

Since GM actually licensed Dex III, and subsequently pulled all certification for anything called Dexron III or Dex III, they market the old formula under their own part number as transfer case fluid.

...Lee

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I get that a transfer case would have specific slip requirements. I'm going to ease this transmission over to Dex VI in stages, and observe transmission operation over the transition.

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Well, I get a total FAIL for reading comprehension.

There are two Valvoline products in play here

Valvoline MAXLIFE ATF part number 773775 - this is full SYN, compatible with DEXRON VI but is not licensed

Valvoline DEXRON VI SYN - part number 322405 also full SYN, which is licensed.

Im currently using MAXLIFE in the BMW for the last 5 years.