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Wrong Trans Fluid...How Bad Am I Going To Eff It Up?

ARAMP1

ARAMP1

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So I just changed the trans fluid and filter in the wife's 2011 Yukon. It called for Dexron VI fluid. I've always used Royal Purple Max ATF Synthetic, but after I filled the trans I noticed that the bottle said "NOT recommended for the following applications: Dexron VI". :doah:

How bad is it going to mess the trans up until I can change it out? I've already put 10-20 miles on it and it shifts normal, maybe even a bit smoother. Thoughts?
 
Hmm, I thought dex 6 was full synthetic.

IMO, it would be worth a call to Royal Purple to see why they don't recommend. Maybe its just a licensing deal or a real compatibility issue.

But is be interested to see what they say.
 
I wouldn't even consider taking the chance, fluids are VERY specific and VERY important on newer vehicles. It might suck to lose $100 worth of fluid but a trans costs 20-30 times that and wouldn't be covered under warranty.

It would be worth some research and maybe even a call to Royal Purple to see what the difference is.
 
I don't mind draining it out and replacing it (although I've spilled enough fluid, I might as well have just kick the drain pan around the vehicle). I sent them an e-mail. My google-fu tells me that people have gotten responses that say Royal Purple currently offers no Dexron VI replacement and recommends the factory GM fluid. :confused: I wonder why. Dexron VI came out as a replacement for Dexron III in 2006. One would think that they'd have enough time to develop the replacement. :thinking:
 
ARAMP1 said:
I don't mind draining it out and replacing it (although I've spilled enough fluid, I might as well have just kick the drain pan around the vehicle). I sent them an e-mail. My google-fu tells me that people have gotten responses that say Royal Purple currently offers no Dexron VI replacement and recommends the factory GM fluid. :confused: I wonder why. Dexron VI came out as a replacement for Dexron III in 2006. One would think that they'd have enough time to develop the replacement. :thinking:
Click to expand...

It's possible GM owns the patent on it.
 
 
just sounds like GM will void the warrenty unless you use their goo.
but at that point. a warranty is worth more than a trans fluid fill...
 
So. Maybe someone can help. How again is a dealer going to determine what type of fluid you have? Is the stuff purple?

I would imagine you only changed a few quarts out of the entire capacity and you didn't do a flush. At the dealer, unless they do a fluid analysis test, they aren't going to know what you have
 
And at this point the fluid is already in. Run it until next change
63chevyll said:
So. Maybe someone can help. How again is a dealer going to determine what type of fluid you have? Is the stuff purple?

I would imagine you only changed a few quarts out of the entire capacity and you didn't do a flush. At the dealer, unless they do a fluid analysis test, they aren't going to know what you have
Click to expand...
 
i think the right answer would be to ask greg ducato (?sp cant remember exactly)
he seems to be the transmission guru.
 
I just got this email from Jim Morrissey at Royal Purple:

Royal Purple Max ATF (part #01320, quart bottle) is an excellent functional upgrade fluid for your 2011 GMC Yukon XL2500 automatic transmission, however it is not technically a warranty compliant fluid. Once warranty compliance is no longer an issue we do recommend Max ATF for GM vehicles that originally took the newer lighter Dexron VI fluid, so no need to change it. It would probably be best not to mention it to your dealer though, as they would likely over react.
 
ARAMP1 said:
I just got this email from Jim Morrissey at Royal Purple:

Royal Purple Max ATF (part #01320, quart bottle) is an excellent functional upgrade fluid for your 2011 GMC Yukon XL2500 automatic transmission, however it is not technically a warranty compliant fluid. Once warranty compliance is no longer an issue we do recommend Max ATF for GM vehicles that originally took the newer lighter Dexron VI fluid, so no need to change it. It would probably be best not to mention it to your dealer though, as they would likely over react.
Click to expand...

:haha: :haha: :bow:


now that is solid/realistic advice from a manufacturer.
 
Many years ago, it would probably be a different story. Back in the day, you had to be careful when going from type F to Dextron or vice versa.
Synthetics had not been invented yet.

The main difference was the type of clutch and brake lining the different companies used.
I want to say that Ford used paper linings, and GM used some kind of organic, but its been at least 35-40 years since I did any in depth studies.

Again, its been a while, but if I remember right, type F would give you a harder lockup than dextron.
Lots of people who wanted to reduce heat and give firmer shifts in GMs for towing or racing would put type F in instead of dextron with no problems.

Going from type F to dextron though, might cause problems with slipping or soft shifts.

Then, in about 1979 Ford switched to dextron in their C6s. Later they went to it all over.
But older Fords had to keep using type F unless they were upgraded.

In your case, I seriously doubt you will have any problems unless there is a warranty issue.

And even then, unless it really purple or you make a point of griping because the transmission failed even though you put in special fluid I doubt that it will even come up.
 
Babaganoosh said:
That just gave me a entire new level of respect for royal purple... I think I might go buy some now.
Click to expand...

I got 3 gallons of it at home for my motor :thumb: they had royal purple reps at the hot rod power tour last year and they told me alot about what product i should use in my motor for my purposes and gave me break in procedures. Great company! And the oil is purple :D
 
if they recommend it i wouldnt worry about it.the rp thats in there already mixed with the 7 quarts in the torque converter.even if something happened the trans already has the rp fluid mixed in.the only way to completely change it is to go to a place that will completely drain both pan and torque converter with a complete flush.why after only a year did you change the fluid already?just wondering.it only need done every 50k miles i was told from a trans shop.
 
Yeah, pretty legit for a company to come right out and say what I was probably thinking.
chulisohombre said:
just wondering.it only need done every 50k miles i was told from a trans shop.
Click to expand...
I've got about 30K miles on it and it's the wife's vehicle, so I don't drive it a whole lot, but the past few times I have, it seemed like it shifted hard and/or would get hung up while downshifting. It's a 3/4 ton 4x4, so I'm not expecting Cadillac smooth, but at least not noticeably clunking into gear. Cleaned out the pan and a lot of gunk on the magnet. My wife said she can tell it shifts smoother now, and for her to notice...I'm impressed.

Now, there was a for sure improvement. But, I'm not saying that it's because of Royal Purple. My guess is that any clean fluid and a new filter would have done the trick. But, I'm down with the RP.
 
ARAMP1 said:
Yeah, pretty legit for a company to come right out and say what I was probably thinking.

I've got about 30K miles on it and it's the wife's vehicle, so I don't drive it a whole lot, but the past few times I have, it seemed like it shifted hard and/or would get hung up while downshifting. It's a 3/4 ton 4x4, so I'm not expecting Cadillac smooth, but at least not noticeably clunking into gear. Cleaned out the pan and a lot of gunk on the magnet. My wife said she can tell it shifts smoother now, and for her to notice...I'm impressed.

Now, there was a for sure improvement. But, I'm not saying that it's because of Royal Purple. My guess is that any clean fluid and a new filter would have done the trick. But, I'm down with the RP.
Click to expand...
i see.you were starting to have problems.the royal purple should be good for a long while longer than stock fluid.hopefully with all that gunk in the oilpan,there is nothing more gona happen that could cause it to blow.
 
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