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Old 10-01-2015, 01:10 PM   #1
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Fluids Questions (More Noob Questions)

I have a 91 ford B700 6.6 diesel.

Today the local "Advance Auto" part store is starting a half off of all fluids sale (they are re-locating to a different store). I was curious as to what kind of oil I should buy. I figured since fluids would be half off I would run there and buy a few gallons of trans/oil/wiper/coolant/power steering/brake fluids.
I have looked through all the papers I received when I purchased the bus and I cannot find anything regarding it.
For some reason I want to say 15w-40, but I wanted to come here and ask the more knowledgeable.

TLDR:
I need to get an oil change, what kind of oil should I get?

Also what kind of tranny fluid should I get (I have the Allison AT545 4-speed)? (I have looked on dipstick and it doesn't say which kind it takes)
Also should I get dot 3 or dot 4 break fluid?

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Old 10-01-2015, 01:24 PM   #2
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15w40 oil. In whatever flavor you like. I prefer shell rotella (everybody will have a different choice, some more opinionated then others). I doubt you'll find any use out of synthetic, but if you plan on driving tens of thousands of miles, and if it's cheap, then a synthetic will be better.

Your atf in an at545 will be just regular dexIII/mercon. Anything that meets Allison C4 specs will work. Once again, you can try synthetic, but if you're not traveling a lot it loses it's benefits.

DOT 3 and 4 are both compatible. Dot 4 has a higher boiling point, so if they cost the same, go with 4.
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Old 10-01-2015, 01:29 PM   #3
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i think you are on the mark for oil.

here is the link for allsion tran fluids.....
On-Highway Fluids
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Old 10-01-2015, 01:30 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by booyah45828 View Post
15w40 oil. In whatever flavor you like. I prefer shell rotella (everybody will have a different choice, some more opinionated then others). I doubt you'll find any use out of synthetic, but if you plan on driving tens of thousands of miles, and if it's cheap, then a synthetic will be better.

Your atf in an at545 will be just regular dexiii/mercon. Anything that meets allison c4 specs will work. Once again, you can try synthetic, but if you're not traveling a lot it loses it's benefits.

Dot 3 and 4 are both compatible. Dot 4 has a higher boiling point, so if they cost the same, go with 4.
Thank you!
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i think you are on the mark for oil.

here is the link for allsion tran fluids.....
On-Highway Fluids
So anything on that list would be idea for me right?
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Old 10-01-2015, 02:15 PM   #5
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15W-40 is almost every case I've ever heard of what you want to use for diesel engines.

Personally, I like to use about 20-25% Lucas Oil Stabilizer to every oil change for maximized engine life. Granted, it's a 3.0L gasoline engine, but my Ford Ranger has about a quarter of a million miles on it, and from the way it sounds, it probably has another quarter million left in the engine before I will NEED to do a rebuild.

Considering the sale that Advanced Auto is doing, I would also buy some other Lucas branded additives, like their fuel-treatment/upper cylinder lubricant, maybe even their brake fluid additive as well. Some Marvel Mystery Oil is also good for cleaning out the top of the engine if you add it to your fuel, but I don't like to use that stuff unless I am planning a major cleaning immediately after using it.
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Old 10-01-2015, 07:45 PM   #6
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As far as synthetics go this is my experience, I had 6 cummuter vans that I transported people to work and back & there are many other coworkers that run their own vans.I had at one time 6 vans 2 where brand new when I bought them & I changed all fluids to Amsoil. every single van that I owned and my coworkers had to have the transmissions replaced between 1000000 to 1200000 miles. every one. the 2 new vans I had one went 4000000 miles before it needed a trans.the other one which I sold but still is drive is over 6000000 miles. fluids are changed every 1000000 miles. So needless to say I put Amsoil in everything
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Old 10-01-2015, 09:20 PM   #7
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The new gen Allisons require the long life Transynd tranny fluid to keep up the warranty. And from the reports I've read...it is worth the money. Just keep the heat below 250. Lower temps = longer fluid life.
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Old 10-01-2015, 09:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Booyah45828 View Post
Your atf in an at545 will be just regular dexIII/mercon. Anything that meets Allison C4 specs will work. Once again, you can try synthetic, but if you're not traveling a lot it loses it's benefits.
that link above was to the approved synthetics.......Booyah is right with what he also says.

as well as, my 1993 AT545 dipstick is stamped "use dexron"
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Old 10-03-2015, 10:02 AM   #9
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Thank you everyone. I really appreciate all the help.

Forgot to mention, if anyone is interested in the half off sale it is at Advance Auto (north store) in Marion IN, 46952.
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Old 10-03-2015, 11:49 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T View Post
As far as synthetics go this is my experience, I had 6 cummuter vans that I transported people to work and back & there are many other coworkers that run their own vans.I had at one time 6 vans 2 where brand new when I bought them & I changed all fluids to Amsoil. every single van that I owned and my coworkers had to have the transmissions replaced between 1000000 to 1200000 miles. every one. the 2 new vans I had one went 4000000 miles before it needed a trans.the other one which I sold but still is drive is over 6000000 miles. fluids are changed every 1000000 miles. So needless to say I put Amsoil in everything

Sorry that was supposed to be thousands not millions, switching up my readers:ee k:
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Old 10-03-2015, 11:57 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu & Filo. T View Post
Sorry that was supposed to be thousands not millions, switching up my readers:ee k:

I was going to say I thought you stretching the truth a wee bit.
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Old 10-03-2015, 04:35 PM   #12
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I was going to say I thought you stretching the truth a wee bit.
LOL might have to step up from 2.25 too 2.50 on my readers
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Old 10-05-2015, 10:37 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
The new gen Allisons require the long life Transynd tranny fluid to keep up the warranty. And from the reports I've read...it is worth the money. Just keep the heat below 250. Lower temps = longer fluid life.
Absolutley correct. The new fluids for the allisons (tes295) is probably the best atf on the market today. But at 18 bucks a gallon for dex/merc vs. 40 bucks per gallon for something that is tes295 certified I don't find the value there on a short mile vehicle.

Synthetics are great, but not when the vehicles sits more often then it moves, which is what most skoolies are. In that case, I think it's money better left in your pocket.
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Old 10-05-2015, 04:23 PM   #14
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Maybe the single most overlooked aspect of tranny fluids is...temperature. I hear people talking about their fluid routinely hitting 300 climbing a hill which they apparently consider OK. Take a look at the chart below to get an idea of just how important maintaining proper cooling of transmission fluid really is.

Transmission temperature/failure chart.


http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.htm
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:35 AM   #15
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Your link doesn't work.
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Old 10-06-2015, 08:36 AM   #16
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Hmmm...just came up for me (?)
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Old 10-06-2015, 09:15 AM   #17
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Which browser are you using? Won't come up for me either I'm using Chrome.
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Old 10-06-2015, 12:03 PM   #18
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It finally did for me. Kept coming up as an inoperative link so I assumed you goofed on it. Who knows. I'm using IE
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Old 10-06-2015, 12:15 PM   #19
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The link worked for me using firefox but I added another link.
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