# Dexron Backwards Compatibility

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 4, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231 "2008-02-04T16:11:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231/1 "2008-02-04T16:11:18Z")

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Posted last week about a harsh 1-2 shift on my 93 Caprice. Turned out to be a misadjusted TV cable (Thanks Loafer). I’m getting a fluid/filter change done. The manual requires Dexron II. All the ATF fluid I’ve seen is either Dexron IV or Universal (Dexron/Mercon). I’m leery of anything universal and wondering if Dexron IV is backwards compatible with Dexron II, especially on an older car (i.e. effect on seals)? Would it hurt to add a bottle of Lubegard Red as part of the fluid/filter change?  
  
  
  
 Thanks,  
  
  
  
 Ed B.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231/2 "2008-02-04T16:29:53Z")

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I’ve used the newer Dexron/Mercron on older transmissions that called for Dexron II without a problem. However that doesn’t mean there won’t be a problem with your car. I did however use full synthetic, so that may have made a difference.

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**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231/3 "2008-02-04T17:11:36Z")

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I run Mobil Dexron III/Mercon universal TF for over a year in my cars with no problem. Another vehicle has the SuperTech version, and again, no problems. Don’t know about Dexron VI, though.

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**Author:** ![lprocter](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/lprocter/32/40_2.png) [@lprocter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lprocter)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231/4 "2008-02-04T21:16:43Z")

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I seem to remember transman mentioning a while ago he always puts a bottle of Lubegard Red in all the transmissions he rebuilds, so if my memory is right, then I’d say it’d be a decent idea.

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**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dexron-backwards-compatibility/10231/5 "2008-02-05T00:57:02Z")

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Call a GM dealer and ask if they have fluid for a 93 Caprice. I am not suggesting that you buy it. Just ask what they have that “fits”.