Best Tranny Fluid?

[Sherman The Buick]

It's time to have the fluid and filter change done on the 3.1's transmission...

My mechanic is a NAPA guy, so he'll be using the NAPA fluids.

Are these okay (I imagine they are) or can anyone recommend anything else?

I used to run Trick Shift in my Malibu, but it's so expensive!

What about the Valvoline MaxLife stuff?

[chadz34]

Just let them use their fluids. Use the MaxLife if you want, I don't think it makes a difference.

[Canada]

Amsoil.

[Dannymik]

I used Napa in my car at my last pan drop and have not had any problems to date.

[sl3196]

I used Napa in my car at my last pan drop and have not had any problems to date.

[19Cutlass94]

NAPA oil is made by Valvoline, just so you know.

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

Anything that's got some sort of name brand will be fine. Hell, I put the cheapest shit in my car and the tranny hasn't grenaded yet. If I had a hi-performance built tranny I'd buy something more expensive, but for a regular driving 3.1 anything is fine.

[White93z34]

i used pep-boys in store brand DEXIII/MERC, and that was at about 128,000 and today i sit at 146,000 and the trans shifts just as perfect as it always has.

 

that said, when i change it again, i'm going to probably use a better brand like castrol, but thats just because i'm anal retentive.

[19Cutlass94]

I use valvoline...

[Crazy K]

I use valvoline...

maxlife, x2

[jeremy]

<----used valvoline when he last dropped the pan in the cutty....

[Supreme Cutlass]

i used pep-boys in store brand DEXIII/MERC, and that was at about 128,000 and today i sit at 146,000 and the trans shifts just as perfect as it always has.

 

that said, when i change it again, i'm going to probably use a better brand like castrol, but thats just because i'm anal retentive.

 

I just bought it because they had it on clearance for 7 bucks a gallon

[1990lumina]

Mine has whatever the GM mechanics use since my grandma had the tranny serviced before she gave me the car

[digitaloutsider]

Automatic: Anything Dexron III+

Manual: GM Synchromesh

[GrandPrix1988SE]

The best availible is Mercon VI semi-synthetic... meets the latest Dexron spec as well... and was about 50 cents more per quart at Auto Zone than the name brand Dexron III... under brand name Aamco, which is a mobil product.

 

I'm using it in my Firebird and in the GP... no problems at all

[Smoke1991]

proline dex III from pepboys is rebadged penzoil dex III. same with the oil.. Proline oil filters are purolators as well...

[19Cutlass94]

Ill always use AC Delco filters, and Valvoline oil. I dont car what tests show, its always work good for my cars and my dads cars etc. (He uses Valvoline oil and AC delco filter in his GTO)

 

I use Valvoline max life syn. motor oil, and max life tranny fluid (not syn.)

[95oldsVan]

Mine has whatever the GM mechanics use since my grandma had the tranny serviced before she gave me the car

 

When I worked at a GM dealer,we had a 2 huge tanks for oils.One for motor oil and one for tranny fluid to use with the power pumps.Guess what brand filled it up?Quakerstate.

 

Why?They gave us the best deal.We do not even know if it was their lowest grade.Never had problems using it though.

 

We didnt bother using the GM stuff in the bottles.The dealer could charge whatever they want and not have to pay GM to stock their high priced oils in the bottles.