Automatic transmission GM A5S 390R

[RBW]

I have read many posts on replacing transmission fluid with non-OEM and wth out a complete fluid replacement. (drain, drop pan, new filter, new fluid) Most of the posts are several to many years old. We should be older, wiser and more experienced! Is Dexron VI (Castrol or Mobil 1) suitable?

[johnrando]

No idea, but tried and true also works. :) hopefully someone has experience with those.

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[AZBP2]

+1


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[Dave1027]

There is no such thing as a Mobil 1 Dex 6 atf. That said, Mobil 1 ATF is actually a good atf for this transmission. Works well. Mobil does make a Dex 6 fluid. Just not Mobil 1. The Mobil 1 fluid would work better than the Mobil Dex 6.

The best fluid for this transmission I have tried, and I have tried many, is Valvoline Import Multi Vehicle (http://www.valvoline.com/our-products/automatic-transmission-products/import-multi-vehicle-automatic-transmission-fluid) . Excellent shift quality including downshifting and really smooth torque application. Also, it's full synthetic and does not cost a lot.

[RBW]

Cool. Thanks for the input and info. I am looking to switch to a readily available fluid. Do you recommend a couple change outs (fill, run, change) to flush out most of the original fluid?

[Dave1027]

I got Valvoline Import Multi vehicle atf at my local O'reilly's auto parts store. Get 7 qts. Get the filter kit from an online vendor. Costs about $25. Refill takes about 6.75 qts which is about 3/4 the capacity. I really don't think you need to do two changes. You could do another drain/fill at next oil change while you have the car jacked up.

[RBW]

Thanks

[Scott ZHP]

I have that transmission in my 01 X5 (E53). I've changed fluid and filter twice; once at about 80k and again at about 155k. I use Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc. Still shifts like the day I bought it (I bought it new). I'm at 161k miles.

Be sure to clean the pan, especially any fine debris around the magnets in the pan. Resist the urge to clean the valve body; you don't want any lint in there.

[Dave1027]

I have that transmission in my 01 X5 (E53). I've changed fluid and filter twice; once at about 80k and again at about 155k. I use Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc. Still shifts like the day I bought it (I bought it new). I'm at 161k miles.

The transmission in my ZHP did not work well with MaxLife.

[trancenation]

The transmission in my ZHP did not work well with MaxLife.

Debating between Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle or Valvoline ATF Dexron VI...

When your transmission didn't like Maxlife, Did you drain and fill once? or Multiple times?

Thanks