I just did a filter change and Drained the pan. It was more to look than anything. I thought I had some good fluid but All i had was AdvanceAuto's cheap oil. I used it( a little less than 8 quarts) to top the tranny back off. It says Allison approved so my question is: should I change it with something better or let it be? I run bullydog on the 60hp tune and dont really tow anything.



The fluid looked good, dark, but good. Not metal on the filter magnet.

Speaking for myself, If I thought I did something wrong, or not to my liking, I would try to fix it. So, if you are not feeling good about what you did, or not satisfied about it, you better change it, or part of it to make you feel good. Not good, health wise, to second guess...

I dont really feel that it was a bad mistake as its Allison approved. More or Less I was just wondering if anyone had any major problems with the cheaper oils.

Sorry for the wrong reply, or wrong answer.:badidea:

It wasnt a wrong answer or reply :)

DuramaxDavid,
Check this Allison release and be sure

http://www.allisontransmission.com/service/autoapp172/viewpage.jsp?ThisPage=3

If is not on the list, I would change it out...But that is just me

Well damn I dont know after that. It doesnt list dexron III. Why?

It doesn't list mobil 1 synthetic either, but that is what a lot of people including myself have in theirs. Interesting....

The Allison list of approved fluids is if you have the Allison extended warranty which is not available to us anyway. Wouldn't bother me to put Mobile, Amsoil or any good quality Dex III rated fluid in my Ally.

Greg

Hey lubrication specialist, Ive orderd stuff from you guys. Great company and Crazy fast shipping. Anyways Thats what i figured. Who gets the extended warranty?

It's just my personal opinion but since you asked......My Dad worked for Sunkist for many years. One of the many products they made was concentrated OJ. They not only sold their own name brand but made it for various grocery store chains etc under different lables using different formulations. Sunkist had/has their own formula for the concentrated juice and it either meets THEIR requirments or it becomes something else. Now the stores were not as picky, they were willing to have (not a bad but) a lower grade product to get a better price. I have always felt this was also true when it came to oil. Many of these "no name" shelf brands oils and fluids are probably made by the big companies under the other label. They of course have standards that must be met but IMO its like the OJ. When you buy a name brand oil (rotella, mobil1, castrol, amsoil) you are getting a better product then the unknown brand at 7-11 or the auto parts store. If I was broke down on the side of the road, I would not hesitate putting a few quarts in, but I would change it the first chance I got....like I said JMO. But when you look at the truck and say "whats the most important part"? The engine?, trans? whatever.....well I thinks it the oil....It may only make a difference in my mind but I don't think so

I did see a noticable difference when I installed the TranSynd. Shifts are firmer and the TCM started relearning the shifts. Also see a slight decrease in slippage on the E/J.

Speaking for myself, I would only use the trans fluid listed on Allison's TES-295 approval list, extended warranty or not. That is not to say Amsoil and others are bad, but it eliminates any hassels later. Larry at my local Allison service center says his tech's know when people have abused their transmissions and when they have used sub par lubricants. He said that quite honestly most are sheer neglect. Oil is flat burnt, does not matter the brand.

This also really boils down to how you maintain your truck. Some people just do not care and whatever is within arms reach is good enough. Most car owners only keep their vehicles 4 years now and dump them. Most are serviced at the dealership under the "Free Maintenance" programs offered.

Then their are a few of us that plan on keeping their vehicles for years. I am one of those. I faithfully maintain my truck. I even go as far as lubing door hinges and seat rails. I paid cash for truck when I picked it up back in early 2001. I want this truck to last 10 years and at least 250K miles.. I am half way there on nearly both those numbers and the truck is in excellent shape. But I stay on top of it and have added awesome extra's from people off this site to enhance the trucks performance and increase it's longevity.