Allison Transmission Fluid? OK What fluid to USE?

[k1hog]

I have read and read? I have a 2004 Tiffin Allegro 32BA motorhome, with an Allison transmission, serial #1S6310327664, what fluid do I use to change the transmission fluid?

Thanks

Johnnie

[edgray]

Allison/Castrol TranSynd or another TES-295 approved ATF if you want to maintain your Allison warranty. Do not use Dexron-VI. ED

[k1hog]

Thanks for the information!

Johnnie

[Fred and Bonnie]

Johnnie, your unit came with Dextron III; you can switch to a TES-295 approved synthetic, at a considerable cost. Lots of owners have gone to the TES-295 approved fluids, however in your case the fluid will have to be changed twice (2 Yr or 50,000 mile interval) to get the full benefit of synthetic fluids with the extended change interval. I have seen posts where the service center used an power system to flush and refill the transmission, eliminating the need for the two time refill.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[wagonmaster2]

I think I have read Allison does not recommend a power flush, could damage something I guess. Is Dexron VI supposed to be a replacement for Dexron III? I'm currently using Transynd, but was just curious about the newest Dexron. My other autos use Dexron so just trying to keep up on all the changes the oil companies keep throwing at us.
Wagonmaster2

[JWatkins]

Dexron VI is the replacement for Dexron III and is compatible with that fluid and can be used in GM transmissions, for instance. Allison before a cutoff serial number has seals that are NOT compatible with Dexron VI. After that they are.

K1hog, you serial number indicates that you cannot use Dexron VI. You can still use Dexron III or go to the newer TES-295 approved fluids such as TranSynd. <STRIKE>They are a lot more expensive and you will need to change them twice to get the old III out of the system. You may be looking at about $280 in fluid with the 2 changes, plus 2 filters as well..</STRIKE> I bow to oemtech's superior knowledge on the subject. Thanks oemtech.

Fred, I have been speaking with Allison a lot lately and they do NOT recommend the flushing.

Joe

[oemtech]

There seems to some confusing onfo in this thread between Dex III, Dex VI and TranSynd.

1) GM has stopped issuing licenses for Dex III. This does not necessarily mean that Dex III will no longer be made.
2) Dex VI is the replacement for Dex III in cars built 2006 and after. It is NOT a replacement for cars built before that time.

3) Workhorse used Dex III as a standard fill in the Allison transmission until sometime in 2004 I believe. Ed or Mike maybe you can get the correct date.
4) TranSynd can be used in any Allison transmission installed in a Workhorse chassis.

5) You only need to change the fluid twice IF you what the 100,000 mile warranty offered by Allison. Ask yourself if it is worth it. Remember, the rest of the statement is 5 years or 100k. You will reach 5 years long before the 100k mark.

6) If you have Dex III in your transmission you can use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF which has specs very close to TranSynd. It only costs about $5 quart compared to $10 a quart for TranSynd. But, then you will be on a 2 year RECOMMENDED change interval.

[FrontRangeRVer]

To the OP. I would only use transmission fluid that Allison approves, and that is TES-295. Mobil 1 transmission fluid is not TES-295 approved by Allison.

Just FYI.....

[Route 66]

HERE is a link to the Allison web site with a list of approved fluids.

[al koffman]

Castrol Domestic Multi-vehicle ATF meets the requirements of Dex III, at least that is what the label says. so this looks like what you would use if you want to stay with what came originally in the 04 models.

[Mr. Goodwrench]

Quote:

Originally posted by oemtech: 2) Dex VI is the replacement for Dex III in cars built 2006 and after. It is NOT a replacement for cars built before that time.

That's not quite correct.

Dexron VI became the factory fill for almost all GM cars and light duty trucks beginning with the 2006 model year. Dexron VI is backward compatible with Dexron III, but you cannot use Dexron III in a newer vehicle that was factory filled with Dexron VI.

As far as the Allison transmission is concerned I would only use what Allison approves and I've not found any documentation to support the use of Dexron VI in Allisons that were factory filled with Dexron III.

[edgray]

Quote:

As far as the Allison transmission is concerned I would only use what Allison approves and I've not found any documentation to support the use of Dexron VI in Allisons that were factory filled with Dexron III.

MR. GOODWRENCH: You are correct, in fact, Allison issued WATCH bulletins which specifically states NOT to use Dexron-VI in their transmissions originally filled with Dexron-III. ED