approved transmission fluid
 

I am wanting to change my transmission fluid and filter and I have 3-4 quarts of this....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74...4/7a98ed07.jpg

But recently the packaging changed and it no longer looks the same and isn't Mercon/Dexron III compatible...

anyone have any suggestions?

autozone has a Dex/Merc III that is compatible with Mercon/Dexron III fluids but is says on the packaging "For domestic vehicles"

Mercon/Dexron III is what you want to use if you are talking about the 87 300D.

I have used the one you have pictured but don't remember which vehicle I used it in.

yeah, it's for the '87. I can safely mix this brand of fluid with another brand of Mercon/Dexron III without an issue, si?

I remember seeing someone (maybe burt) who used ford AT fluid. Stating that it was more aggressive to clutches and was good. I hope he or who ever said that posts.

I put in standard dextron fluid in my transmission before I read that. Am thinking that the faster the shifting occurs, the less wear.

Will be following this thread.

Don, that fluid is fine for your 1987 car, but I'd be looking for some additional quarts of the identical product or just go to AAP and get yourself two gallons of their generic Dexron product. The Dexron in gallons may be less money out-of-pocket compared to a couple additional quarts of the Castrol stuff ;) It's really cheap at AAP.

I might just do that and toss this stuff in the tank to burn. The different types of transfluid are just confusing.

It seems to have only gotten like that over the past 10 years too.

when I had my valve body redone, the tech (mb savvyish indie) 34 years exp..said to go with the Merc five..which seems to work fine, same spec as dex 3 but better heat and energy transfer...then I found out about on the AMSOIL and considering the cost will likely switch to that when its time to flush/filter whats in there now.

I have been happy with some redline in appropriate application.

I recently looked at options online and at Autozone. I ended up getting the Autozone Dexron VI. Says it replaces Dexron III and is superior. However, forgot I bought AFT+4 at the same time for my Mopars, forgot and put 2 qts of the later in my 300D (85 CA, has your 86+ tranny). Doesn't matter. Most tranny fluid uses the same base oil and they just put in additives.

Similar questions for my 60's Mopars. Original isn't available, and Chrysler said "use Dexron III instead", back in the 80's. My 96 Voyager should use ATF+4 (today) and it has the exact same Torqueflite internals as my 60's 904 & 727 trannys, so I use ATF+4 in my old Mopars. Before that I used Type F (as many do), since I read it had more friction modifiers for firmer shifts. I since read that ATF+4 has the most friction (good), plus the Autozone brand used to say "fully synthetic". Many Chrysler V-6 (4 spd) minivan trannys were ruined because they said one could use Dexron III if the then-new ATF was not available. The slippier fluid caused the lockup converter to get confused and jump back and forth, wearing out the plates. GM wanted slippier fluid to give slower, smoother shifts since the un-schooled public thinks that is a sign of a good tranny. Actually, you want quick, firm shifts, which is what "shift kits" do.

In sum, I will strive to use Dexron VI in my old 300D's, but ATF+4 should be fine too. Mixing fluids does nothing bizarre. Then again, I am someone who uses silicone brake fluid and doesn't believe the bunk about bad things happening if a little left-over glycol fluid mixes in. I also know that Valvoline's DOT 4.1 "synthetic" brake fluid is marketing bunk (all brake fluids are synthetic).

Thanks for your comments Bill G. Que es AFT+4?
Special D is merc 5 Mercedes or mercury 5.

How does the redline compare?

I too recall Doctor Bert saying he liked type F in his 116.

Is it possible that you actually talking about "Mercon V?"

I have been unable to find an ATF matching the description "Merc 5."

Yessir Mercon V

I did double check his recco, seems it's meets and exceeds the spec for Dextron III. and like I said it seems ok in the car so far...

I am aware of a number of cases where ATF+4 did not work so fine in transmissions specifying Dexron III.