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Automatic Transmission Fluid?

Started by Bill Atlanta, May 12, 2020, 09:47:09 AM

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Bill Atlanta

I have mixed opinions about the type of automatic trans fluid.

Some people say the Dextron VI that it will work in any Cadillac. Professional Dexron VI Full Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid.

Others say that Dextron II or Dextron III is better for old Cadillacs.

I have 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 Cadillacs. What do I use? I intend to drain and add new fluid.
Bill
1920 Cadillac Phaeton 7 Pass Touring car
1941 Cadillac Series 62 (with 1978 7 liter underneath)
1956 CDV
1958 Eldorado Biarritz, Eureka Flower car, 2 Eldorado Sevilles, Limo Series 75, Fleetwood Special 66.
1959 Series 62 convertible
1960 Eldorado Biarritz
1960 Series 75 Limo
2016 SRX

2 Devilles

I run regular old Type F in everything.  Helps firm up the shifts in older transmissions.
Lucas Johnson

1960 Coupe Deville
1970 Coupe Deville
1972 Mach 1 Mustang
1974 F100 2wd
1977 F250 Highboy
1994 F250 4x4

dadscad

I use Amsoil's ATF synthetic transmission fluid in my 63's  transmission. I've been using it in that transmission for well over 100K  miles while enjoying flawless shifts and function as Cadillac designed it to do. ATF is a replacement for Dexron III. HTH
Enjoy The Ride,
David Thomas CLC #14765
1963 Coupe deVille

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

The "Bible on ATF" according to GM":

Since General Motors introduced the first ATF service-fill specification in 1949 it has been periodically necessary to upgrade the specification. This upgrading process ensures that available service fill fluids are of an appropriate quality for use in transmissions that have been designed around the factory fill fluid performance. It should be noted that, as with previous upgrades, DEXRON®
-VI fluids are designed to be backward compatible with earlier transmission
hardware. More importantly, earlier type fluids are not forward compatible with transmission hardware that was designed to use DEXRON® -VI fluid
, i.e. DEXRON® -III is not compatible with the most recently designed transmissions, and the use of these earlier type fluids could result in transmission damage. All current calibrations and certification tests are now conducted with
DEXRON® -VI ATF. DEXRON® -III fluids should not be used for these applications where the owners manual recommends the use of DEXRON®
-VI. GM does not license or support obsolete ATF specifications or the use of fluids that are being marketed against cancelled specifications. All DEXRON®
-III licenses expire at the end of 2006 and will not be renewed.
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

fishnjim

With a few "F" vehicles on your list, I thought "F" is spec for Ford trannies?   
I doubt it makes that much difference, because were out of warranty periods.

DEX/MERC is kinda universal (III) these days.   What I've been putting in the '58.   
Regardless, the stuff is overpriced these daze.   

Bill Atlanta

It seems that DEX 3 is compatible for the early years and the DEX VI is compatible for any year Cadillac as it is backwards compatible, any GM cars.

I have also heard that "F" is for Fords.
Bill
1920 Cadillac Phaeton 7 Pass Touring car
1941 Cadillac Series 62 (with 1978 7 liter underneath)
1956 CDV
1958 Eldorado Biarritz, Eureka Flower car, 2 Eldorado Sevilles, Limo Series 75, Fleetwood Special 66.
1959 Series 62 convertible
1960 Eldorado Biarritz
1960 Series 75 Limo
2016 SRX

The Tassie Devil(le)

Quote from: 2 Devilles on May 12, 2020, 09:58:20 AM
I run regular old Type F in everything.  Helps firm up the shifts in older transmissions.
I would not recommend Type F in any Transmission that recommends Dexron anything.

Ford Transmissions use a different material in their transmissions which necessitates their recommended oil, Type F.

Bruce. >:D

'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

64\/54Cadillacking

I use Valvoline full synthetic Max-Life ATF (Red Jug or Bottle ) In all of my classics as it can be used in just about every vehicle. Even my 78 and 79 Lincoln uses Dexron ATF to my surprise in its C6 transmission for smoother shifts. They changed over to Dexron in 77 I believe from Type F.

So that’s what I recommend.
Currently Rides:
1964 Sedan Deville
1954 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special
1979 Lincoln Mark V Cartier Designer Series
2007 Lexus LS 460L (extended wheelbase edition)

Previous Rides:
1987 Brougham D' Elegance
1994 Fleetwood Bro
1972 Sedan Deville
1968 Coupe Deville
1961 Lincoln Continental
1993 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series
1978 Lincoln Continental ( R.I.P.) 1978-2024 😞