Dexron NO Longer Approved For Allison Transmissions

[Mike Canter]

You might find this interesting. It may be included in other stickies or posts but just to make sure that all understand. I was reading Allison Service Tip # 1099 and it states that Dexron is NO longer approved specification for Commercial On-Highway products which include AT 500 series, AT 600 Series, HT 700 series, 1000 and 2000 Product Families, and 3000 and 4000 Product Families.

For the main transmissions we use in RVs Allison only recommends TES 295. In the 1000 and 2000 series you can use TES 295 or TES 389. So really for all of us the only transmission fluid now approved for Allison Transmissions is the fluids meeting the specifications/requirements of TES 295 which is Transyd. Not DEXRON

[1ciderdog]

I think I read a line in that service tip saying you can continue to use DextronIII. Did I read it wrong?

[Mike Canter]

Nope, it uses the term "Dexron fluids" which means all. Also Dexron does not meet the TES 295 or 389 specifications.

[Hooligan]

DEXRON III was a licensed product of GM, they no longer license DEXRON III and so there is no guarantee that the fluid that is "similiar", "replaces", "compatible with" or "smells like" DEX 3 actually meets all the specs of DEX 3. (It may be almost as good but Allison can't warrant that)
Allison's TES 389 approval is for products that verify they meet the previous license specs for DEX3. (Not legally what it says)

A very in-depth discussion of Automatic Transmission Fluids and Allison is here.

ATF fluid options: detailed information - Diesel Place

Hope this helps

[Mike Canter]

Great discussion but so we don't confuse people the bottom line is DON'T use any version of DEXRON in your Allison transmission. My recommendation is to use Transyd in all applications and just keep it simple.

Obviously Allison has noted failures in their transmissions due to DEXRON. It is cheaper to use Transyd than it is to get your MH towed and the transmission rebuilt.

Transyd is not that expensive when you consider how long you can leave in the transmission and the pain and cost of changing the fluid.

[dieselclacker]

Dex III is TS389 approved.


Hooligan, thanks for the link, intresting read!

Dieselclacker

[Mike Canter]

You can't say that in a blanket statement. Not all Dexron III is TES 389 approved. In fact very little of the brands of Dexron III are TES 389 approved. The particular brand has to be submitted to Allison for qualification as TES 389. Some is and some is not approved. If you go up on this website you can see how few are approved in North America.
https://fdlrd.swri.org/Allison/Appro...List.aspx?Id=2

If you look to the right of the list you will see that some of those are not in the USA. Most of the ones approved you will never see in a auto parts store.

Regardles, according to Allison you cannot use TES 389 in the 3000 or 4000 Allison transmissions prior to Jan 2010 and after Jan 2010 they have to have Prognostics turned on an have TCM calibration CIN 4C or later. I am not sure if that includes RVs or not.

[Hooligan]

TES-389 is basically Dexron III. The application for 389 asks for the "former GM DEXRON License" of the ATF being submitted. The main concern is there is no longer quality control on some ATF that is marketed as "replaces" etc.. DEXIII.
Also manufacturers don't see a need to jump though hoops, submit lab analysis, and pedigree for their ATF to meet Allison's diminishing market for their older non-transyn trannies....Note that DEX VI is backwards compatible to all GM and other DEXRON transmissions..except Allison.
My 1000 trans, year 2000 called for DEXIII. (before Transynd was developed) I have been using Mobil1 Syn ATF since my first ATF change and will continue to do so until the few remaining cases I bought on a local closeout are used up. Then I will go to a TES-295 fluid.

[Mike Canter]

I do agree that Allison is trying to control the quality of the fluids by making their specifications and their testing of the fluids. I would say that it actually benefits the RV owner. It is a little scary to think that the Dexron in the car parts store may be of unknown quality.

I use Mobil 1 ATF syn in the two of my cars with automatic trannies. If Allison had not formulated and specified Transyd and a matching maintenance schedule then I would have Mobil 1 ATF in my MH also.

[dieselclacker]

My 2003 motorhome with the 1000 Allison came with Dex III installed, it has 41K miles on the trans now and was changed at 25K miles. I had Mobil 1 synthetic ATF installed, and will continue to use it. I do not know if it is TES -295 compliant or not. I plan on continued use of this fluid for as long as I own this motorhome. I plan on changing every 25K miles, and do not anticipate any problem by not using Transynd in the transmission. I monitor the transmission temperature via a Scangage II, and have no heating problems.

Dieselclacker

[Hooligan]

dieselclacker: I called Mobil customer service last year about the new formula for Mobil1 Syn ATF. They confirmed it still exceeds all the performance and specifications for DEXRON III (H). In addition -it does not contain the additives in DEXRON VI and will not affect the Allison seals... Has not been submitted for TES-295 approval and no discussion about it. More Here. https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...exron_III.aspx

Since both our units are well out of warranty, the Mobil1 Syn ATF is still a reliable choice.

[Mike Canter]

In 2003 I don't believe Allsion used Transynd from the factory and they used Dexron III. This was before teir big push to TES 295

But the Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF is TES 295 approved by Allison.
Allison Transmission

So what is the difference between Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF?

Allison states that with 1000% TES 295 approved ATF that an Allison 1000 transmission can go for 150,000 miles or 4 years on fluid change, and the filter changed at 50,000 miles or two years

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooligan dieselclacker: I called Mobil customer service last year about the new formula for Mobil1 Syn ATF. They confirmed it still exceeds all the performance and specifications for DEXRON III (H). In addition -it does not contain the additives in DEXRON VI and will not affect the Allison seals... Has not been submitted for TES-295 approval and no discussion about it. More Here. https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...exron_III.aspx Since both our units are well out of warranty, the Mobil1 Syn ATF is still a reliable choice.

Hooligan, thanks for the info on the ATF and the link.

Your right on the warranty issue.

Dieselclacker

[Fred and Bonnie]

I have used Mobil 1 ATF in all of my fluid changes, every two years. It's easy to obtain in smaller quanities, and carrying spare fluid. I monitor my trans temp with ScanGuage II making sure I don't go over 235º.

Fred