fordor
Active member
I have a Bend Pak XL 9 lift. It says use Dex III oil in it. The trouble I'm having is finding just Dextron III oil. I find Dex/Merc oil, Dex IV or V, but not just III. What do I use? 
Bob L.
Bob L.
Lift oil ???
- Thread starter fordor
- Start date
Dextron III was officially canceled by GM back in 2006 so it is virtually impossible to find a fluid officially certified to the spec, it would have to be old stock.
Any "Dex" fluid will work. I used "Carquest Dex/Merc" in my Mohawk.
The lift doesn't need all the extras that a trans does, it is just looking for a hydraulic oil.
Jack oil probably would have worked fine, but in the qty a lift would require it certainly wouldn't be "affordable" like the cheapy ATF.
ac
Any "Dex" fluid will work. I used "Carquest Dex/Merc" in my Mohawk.
The lift doesn't need all the extras that a trans does, it is just looking for a hydraulic oil.
Jack oil probably would have worked fine, but in the qty a lift would require it certainly wouldn't be "affordable" like the cheapy ATF.
ac
I used Dex III in my MaxJax originally but in a small attached garage, the odor was noticeable. When I replaced one of the cylinders, I drained the system and replaced the ATF with ISO 32 hydraulic oil, which is odorless since it doesn't have the additives used in ATF. I agree, though that it's not cheap. Cost me $64 for four 1-gallon bottles.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Just do not use Dextron VI, it is a thinner fluid than V, designed to be more energy efficient for transmissions that are designed for it. Both V and VI are available. Get the V and you have something that is viscosity compatible with III.
You can buy Tractor hydraulic oil by the 5 gal bucket at auto parts places, tractor supply, etc, and in various ISO weights, AW32, AW46, etc. This should be a good alternative if ISO 32 hydraulic oil is recommended also.
Charles
You can buy Tractor hydraulic oil by the 5 gal bucket at auto parts places, tractor supply, etc, and in various ISO weights, AW32, AW46, etc. This should be a good alternative if ISO 32 hydraulic oil is recommended also.
Charles
Charles,
While you are correct about the initial lower viscosity, both 3 and 6 will shear down to the same viscosity with use. GM considers 6 a direct replacement for 3 and allows its use in all of their transmissions originally requiring 3.
There is no 5.
Most lift manufacturers require Dex fluids because just about any shop that is buying a car lift probably has Dex fluid on the shelf. For what the lift does, just about any oil designed for a hydraulic system would work provided it is of the proper viscosity range.
ac
Aahz
Well-known member
AW32 hydraulic oil (non-foaming) is an acceptable substitute for ATF. The reason for ATF in lieu of AW32 is the color. If you have leaks at some time in the future, the red color of ATF will stand out like a sore thumb, vs. AW32 being almost colorless, makes it much more difficult to identify a leak.
UPSHIFT
Well-known member
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Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
You are correct about there not being a V. I was thinking of Mercon V.
Also discovered that there is no T in Dexron. Read the Wilkpedia page on Dexron.
In an AT the shearing effect and thinning of the fluid might be OK to use VI in the place of III, but in a lift, you are probably not going to experience the shearing effect, certainly not to the extent you would see in a transmission.
My preference would be the AW32 largely due to availability and price point. AT fluid such as Dexron, Mercon, etc is way too expensive to be putting in a lift.
Charles