Dexron not approved?

[morninghill]

Allison web site, service tips, section on fluids says Dexron not approved. Am I misreading something? Looks like only TES 295 and TES 389 fluids are approved.

[rockintom]

Dextron is approved as long as it's not "severe service" or "off highway" use. Personally, I use Transynd in my Allison 1000 (with a Allison 3000 deep sump oil pan) in my 3500 HD Chevy truck. Works good. When I had the pan off at 85,000 miles it was clean as a hound's tooth, and I work it hard as we are about 26,400 GCWR going down the road. Expensive but it works good. rockin'

[Hooligan]

DexronIII was a General Motors licensed specification. GM withdrew the license in 2006. Many Auto Trans fluids are marked as "compatible with", "can be used as", "similiar to" Dexron III. Because these products may not comply with the total licensed specification, Allison stated they should no longer be used and could be detrimental to the transmission. As best I can find, the TES 389 spec meets Dexron III requirements.
There is also a warning that Dexron VI is NOT compatible with the seals in some older Allison transmissions -prior to a certain build date/serial number and should not be used in those trans...
Recent Allison transmissions came with Transynd fluid and should be serviced with transynd only.

Hope this helps.

[AFChap]

My 2003 coach (2002 Spartan chassis) with an Allison MD 3000MH came with Dexron III and that's what I continue to use. I find no warning against Dexron on the Allison site in the area mentioned, only a statement that proper use of the Dexron trademark requires a GM license number (example: GXXXXX) be included on the fluid container.

[lmerril]

just a quick note. there are alternatives to transynd by amsoil called torque-drive. check out this link: AMSOIL Torque-Drive™ Q&A
its been in by rig for two years now with no problems.
larry

[Fred and Bonnie]

Mobile 1 ATF is compatable with 2005 and earlier GM transmissions.

Mobil 1 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

Fred

[oemtech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred and Bonnie Mobile 1 ATF is compatable with 2005 and earlier GM transmissions. Mobil 1 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Fred

This what I installed 2 years ago when I changed the Dex III out. No problems and it was clear as bell when I swapped it out this year for TranSynd. I do put a fresh filter in every year when I do my spring maintenance.

Mobil changed the labels on the Synthetic ATF shortly after the Dex III license was pulled by GM. I have a photo's of the labels HERE.

[Steve Ownby]

Larry,

There are alternatives to Transynd available but the Amsoil Torque-drive is not on Allison's approved list. See below:


TES 295 Approved Fluids

Table Of Contents
FLUIDS
C 4 Approved Fluids
TES 295 Approved Fluids
TranSyndTM RD for Off Highway
Oil Analysis
Engineering Specifications for Fluids
OEM Installation and Service Support Materials
Schedule One TES 389 Fluids
TES 295 Fluids Product Information Links
When seeking a fluid for your Allison transmission that is TES 295 approved do not fall to the claims of some companies that claim that their product is TES 295 approved. The statements infer that these products "are designed to meet", "are equivalent to", "meet or exceed", etc. When determining whether or not a fluid is TES 295 approved, look and/or ask for one of two things:





The Allison TES 295 approval number
The Allison Approved logo

TES 295 Approval Number Approved Marketer Product Brandname
AN-011001 Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants TranSynd
AN-031002 BP Lubricants Autran Syn 295
AN-031003 Cognis Corporation Emgard 2805
AN-031004 International Truck & Engine Company Fleetrite Synthetic ATF
AN-051005 ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF
AN-071006 John Deere & Company HD SynTran
AN-1010007 Volvo Trucks North America Bulldog Synthetic ATF

The above 7 specific brands are the only ones approved by Allison.

Steve O

[oemtech]

When I looked at TranSynd for a replacement of Dex III I could still get Dex III. But, I kinda wanted to use synthetic so I started to dig around in the specs and found that Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF was almost identical to the TES 295 spec. Why not they already had Mobil Delvac Synthetic.

I also found out that Allison/Castrol controlled the testing and certification of any brand that what'd the TES 295 license. Now does that have anything to do with why Amsoil Torque-Drive is not certified?

[Norm4015]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oemtech I also found out that Allison/Castrol controlled the testing and certification of any brand that what'd the TES 295 license. Now does that have anything to do with why Amsoil Torque-Drive is not certified?

I talked to Allison and understand they do not "control" the testing. Allison set the minimun standards for the fluids and will certify any fluid that meets the minimun standards. All Amsoil has to do is send samples of their fluid to an independent lab (approved by Allison) for testing. If it meets the mininum standard of TES 295 it will get the seal of approval from Allison. Seven companies have had their fluids tested and certified, so why doesn't Amsoil have theirs tested?

[buck62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oemtech When I looked at TranSynd for a replacement of Dex III I could still get Dex III. But, I kinda wanted to use synthetic so I started to dig around in the specs and found that Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF was almost identical to the TES 295 spec. Why not they already had Mobil Delvac Synthetic. I also found out that Allison/Castrol controlled the testing and certification of any brand that what'd the TES 295 license. Now does that have anything to do with why Amsoil Torque-Drive is not certified?

If you are out of warranty you can use whatever brand you like but if you are in warranty and it does not meet the TES 295 spec you could be denied warranty coverage. I just think it creates less headaches when all of your fluilds and oils meet the manufacturer's specification and use manufacturer recommended oils and fluids. My Allison came from Spartan with Transyd in it and the dipstick cap says Transyd so that is all I will put into mine.

[oemtech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 I talked to Allison and understand they do not "control" the testing. Allison set the minimun standards for the fluids and will certify any fluid that meets the minimun standards. All Amsoil has to do is send samples of their fluid to an independent lab (approved by Allison) for testing. If it meets the mininum standard of TES 295 it will get the seal of approval from Allison. Seven companies have had their fluids tested and certified, so why doesn't Amsoil have theirs tested?

Well I must have been mis-informed then. But that was 3 years ago and things may have changed. But, Allison does control who/whom does the testing... as you stated above.

Why does Amsoil not have their fluid approved? I have no idea you would have to ask them.