TranSynd is it worth it?

[surfride]

I am trying to justify the move to transynd, the cost is a marginal factor, but is it worth it? Mother Earth won't benefit much because the service interval is not extended until two fluid changes, making the next change still in two years (don't drive enough to hit 50k interval avg 5-7k/year). The likelihood of this vehicle making it to 100k is unlikely, or another 4-6 years as me as the owner, again unlikely. Are there any other benefits? Seems like a waste of money. Should I change again to dino, what should I use now that Dexron III is discontinued? My GM service writer, (I have a duramax as well) said they are putting Dexron VI into everything, regardless of year.

[surfride]

I am trying to justify the move to transynd, the cost is a marginal factor, but is it worth it? Mother Earth won't benefit much because the service interval is not extended until two fluid changes, making the next change still in two years (don't drive enough to hit 50k interval avg 5-7k/year). The likelihood of this vehicle making it to 100k is unlikely, or another 4-6 years as me as the owner, again unlikely. Are there any other benefits? Seems like a waste of money. Should I change again to dino, what should I use now that Dexron III is discontinued? My GM service writer, (I have a duramax as well) said they are putting Dexron VI into everything, regardless of year.

[oemtech]

05 was the year they started to ship the trannys with Transynd installed. I would check to see if yours was shipped with it, if so stay with.

I on the other hand have an 03 chassis and have Dex III installed. I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF which is a Dex III replacement.

You are right on the money as far as the 5/150k usage. 99% will never see the 150k in 5 years. For the cost of a 2 change Transynd I can change the ATF 3 times at 2 year intervals.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by oemtech:
You are right on the money as far as the 5/150k usage. 99% will never see the 150k in 5 years. For the cost of a 2 change Transynd I can change the ATF 3 times at 2 year intervals. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Dale, Perhaps you're sending a mixed message to surfride. You can change your Dextron III 10 times in a year and it still will not perform as well as a good synthetic transmission fluid.

I would encourage anyone to change over to a synthetic based transmission fluid at their earliest convenience.

That said if an owner is going to be in their vehicle for a short time and is considering trading, I would say as you I would do a D3 change if necessary and bag the Transynd.

[oemtech]

Mike,

You missed this, "I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF which is a Dex III replacement."

[surfride]

I think what I may do for both my track and MH is to change them both to transynd and run the dino schedule, if I still have either vehicle in two years, then change again to transynd and go with the extended schedule. Neither vehicle is driven much, time will trigger before mileage for both. I was calling all around, Napa, Kragen, Pep Boys, even my GMC dealer; none of them carry transynd, it is only available from a local Allison dealer for 40/gallon. My dealer wanted 300 to change my truck to Dexron VI no less, not even synthetic and against Allison's recommendation. Makes you wonder what GM is thinking sometimes. Way too much information to change fluid.

[GerryB54]

I think you're all nuts...stick with dyno oil and Dexron III...

[FrontRangeRVer]

Mobil 1 is not approved by Allison as Allison says it's not TES-295 compliant

Here is the only official Allison approved list that is TES 295 compliant:

TES 295 Approval Number Approved Marketer Product Brandname
AN-011001 Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants TranSynd
AN-031002 BP 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

And make sure that the product for Allison has one of two things:

# The Allison TES-295 approval number
# The Allison Approved logo

HERE is the link for Allison approved TES-295 approved transmission fluids.

[oemtech]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Mobil 1 is not approved by Allison as Allison says it's not TES-295 compliant: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hummmm... You must missed the part were I stated not once but twice that Mobil 1 Synthetic is aDexron III Replacement. Also, if you would take the time to dig up the MSDS sheets you will find the Mobil 1 Synthetic specs are ALMOST the same a Mobil/Delvac Synthetic ATF.

The problem with Dex VI is that the seals in transmissions that use Dex III are not compatible with it.

[Avalondanes]

I do not see Dex III on that list of TES 295 approved ATF. It would seem that if your trans came with Dex III that you can replace with ANY Dex III equivalent, that includes Mobil 1.

If your trans came with TranSynd, you would have to replace with TES-295 approved fluid.

Richard

[dieselclacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">li </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Doesn't the TS-295 compliant number for fluids to be used in Allison transmissions only apply if you want to qualify for the extended warranty from Allison?

Dieselclacker

[Tom N]

In the Spring of 2005 Allison started to use Castrol TranSynd in all their transmissions. Allison made an offer to greatly extend the warranty for all owners with a motorhome less than a yesr old if they changed over to TranSynd. This fact told me that TranSynd was a vast improvement over Dexron III. I changed over to TranSynd at a Detroit/Allison shop and Allison extended my warranty. I only changed for the extended warranty. The extended warranty offer is no longer available, but if I was changing my fluid I would change to TranSynd.

By the way, I'm not a big fan of synthetic engine oil. But, if GM would extend their warranty if using synthetic I would use it. I use Castrol GTX 5w30 and change at ~3000 miles.

-Tom

[GerryB54]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What should I use now that Dexron III is discontinued? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You can still purchase Dexron III transmission fluid at most auto parts stores (around here anyway)...I get mine at AutoZone.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GerryB54:
I think you're all nuts...stick with dyno oil and Dexron III... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>GerryB54, You probably missed the bus on getting Transynd as you may have an early 2005 motorhome on an 04 chassis or real early 05 chassis. If you had Transynd installed in your transmission since day one I'm sure you would be on-board with it. Dex3 specifications are sadly lacking in direct comparison to a good quality synthetic transmission fluid. Dex3 fluid breaks down significantly in both time & mileage and accelerates in wear with exposure to high heat conditions which we all experience at one time or another in our transmissions.

The "best" fluid investment any owner can make if they are keeping their motorhome long term is to install synthetic transmission fluid in any transmission.