ZL1 1LE Manual Transmission OE Fluid -- HELP, please!
 

I realize that there has been discussion on alternate transmission fluids for our ZL1 1LE cars with the 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 units, but I wish to use only OE GM fluids to avoid any possible warranty issues should something go wrong. Unfortunately, there is considerable ambiguity about what actually IS the OE recommendation, as explain as briefly as I can. I hope that someone can enlighten me about what the proper OE tranny fluid is for our cars.

1. In my 2018 ZL1 1LE Camaro Owner’s Manual under the table called “Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts” the “Manual Transmission (V8 Engine)” section, it says “Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No 88861037)." This fluid (see first photo) is “Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.” I called a local Hendrick Chevrolet dealer, talked to the Parts Department, gave him my VIN, and he told me that the part number has changed to 88865601. All right, so I looked that up and found the new part number with the fluid still named “Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid” (see second photo). I found a statement on a GM Parts website that confirms that the 88865601 replaces 88861037 (see third photo).

2. I saw, however, several posts on Camaro6 that indicates that the correct fluid is actually GM Part No 88861800, which is labeled “Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid” (see fourth photo). I called Jim Ellis Chevrolet, another reputable local Chevy dealer and talked to the parts buy there, gave him my VIN, and he said it should be the 88861800 part.

3. I found my 2018 Chevy Camaro Owner’s Manual online, downloaded it, and it says 88861800, which is different from the manual that came with my car (which I bought new). I then looked online at the 2019 and 2020 Chevy Camaro Owner’s Manuals, and they also say 88861800. When I downloaded the 2021 Camaro Owner’s Manual, it doesn’t provide any part number but simply says “See Your Dealer” for the manual transmission fluid.

4. My “conclusion” is that GM Dealers Parts Departments differ on the proper fluid, the printed and online Owner’s Manuals differ, and then GM skirts the issue in the 2021 owner’s manual. I guess the consensus is 88861800, so should I go with that for OE replacement fluid?

I tend to obsess over this stuff, so please forgive me, but if anyone has an explanation or definitive answer, then please share it with me and others who simply wish to maintain their cars using GM-approved OE fluids!

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment and help!

hey there GAZL1!

I can't give you exact info for what you are requesting, but I can give you a little backround info I think (generally speaking). The ATF in a manual trans has been a common thing among various different manufacturers for quite a while. ATF is thinner and flows much better at low temps and makes the manual tranny shift a lot nicer (and way less notchy when cold, and less cold 'grrrrrrrrrrr' when shifting. that being said - the ATF doesn't protect as well in severe duty high temp situations (like racing when it's hot out). I wonder if Chevy originally was speccing the ATF in all the earlier ZL1s (even the 1LE) and then it got back to them that performance in summer when tracking/racing was an issue, so they changed the specc'd fluid?

as an example, one of my previous NASA road race cars was a '93 Ford Probe GT with the V6 and 5speed. oem fluid for the trans was Ford ATF. I had issues with transmissions longevity of the synchros when racing it for several seasons, and for the replacement trans I started using Valvoline 75w-90 gear oil. it was always a bit notchy on the warmup lap but settled right in and shifted much better than the ATF when very hot and the transmissions lasted lots longer. that was my exact experience.

that being said - how do you intend to use your ZLE? are you tracking it a lot? if so I'd def suggest using the MTF that was later recommended by GM. if you are street driving it and sometimes in cold weather then the ATF would prob be my recommendation.

good luck and hope that helps a little bit and let up know!

Dear d15b7: Thanks for the thorough reply! My ZL1 is a daily driver, but I do 2-4 track weekends a year. I was going to flush the tranny fluid in advance of an upcoming event at Road Atlanta, so YES, I want protection for high speed, high temp driving. Do I infer, therefore, that you would suggest the GM 88861800 “Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid”?

I might add that I contacted Tremec directly and got a reply from Doug there suggesting I could use their "TREMEC HP-MTF 75-85" tranny fluid, although he suggested I stick with OE recommendations. Another bit of information: I use Vengeance Racing in Cumming GA for my service. Vengeance specialized in tuning GM cars (Corvettes, Camaros, Cadillacs), and they are very good. Vengeance folks say they said they like to put in "Driven Synchromesh" fluid, which apparently what Joe Gibbs racing uses. I don't know the specs on the Driven fluid, but I presume it is for aggressive performance driving. I just like to protect myself from GM saying I didn't stick with OE recommendations in the event of a tranny failure. If you have any more insight, I welcome it!

Good question - we have a 2021 ZL1 Vert 6 speed coming. I need to sort out all the fluid and filters for it.

D.

TREMEC makes their own manual transmission fluid. I just put some in my car. It’s a little notchy at first until the fluid warms up some

Tremec says to use their fluid, Dexron VI, or Mobil 1 ATF. Stick with their recommendations as they built the tranny, not GM.

When I called Tremec a year or two back, they gave me the same advice as Doug from Tremec gave the OP. I don't recall if it was Doug that I spoke to, but whoever it was recommended the Dexron fluid for the GM spec transmission. They said the Mobil 1 or Tremec fluid were okay but that Dexron would be their first choice.

good morning! all I can add further is that my manual (mine is a '20) says to use

Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 88861800, in Canada 88861801).

thats in both the actual manual that came in the glove box, and also the online pdf that i downloaded. so i'd go with that MTF part number 88861800. this is a little bit akin to the earlier cars specified 5w-30 motor oil, but now the later cars specify 0w-40. I'd go with the later specification, as (hopefully) GM has decided that it's better for the cars performance/longevity (hopefully). I can't see how you could go wrong with what they are saying in the manual. good luck!

The manual transmission fluid is just different labeling to make manual owners feel good about putting ATF in their transmission. I just bought that fluid for my Z06 and it is definitely the same Dexron VI ATF.

I've been running AMSOIL ATF in my M6 19 ZLE for 8K miles. no issues.. improved cold weather shifting.

Just use this...

https://www.tremec-store.com/collect...smission-fluid

Very confusing.. In my 2022 Camaro ZL1 1LE High Performance Owner Manual / Supplement it says for the Manual Transmission:
DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid
without a part number given.

Link: (Page 41)
https://www.chevrolet.com/bypass/pcf...21NOV01_2P.pdf

Attachment 1130767

Actually, I just noticed that over the years they keep changing the note on the fluid. This is from the Chevrolet Camaro High Performance Owner Manual / Supplement:

2020
Manual Transmission (6 Speed)
Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 88861800, in Canada 88861801).

2021
Manual Transmission (6 Speed)
See your dealer.

2022
Manual Transmission (6 Speed)
DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid.

2023
Manual Transmission (6 Speed)
DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid.

---
edit:
So I did a quick check on the Chevrolet.com parts and added my Camaro with it's VIN. The page confirms that the GM fluid #88861800 fits..

Attachment 1130769

I did literally the exact same research as you did! I used manual transmission and transfer case fluid, as it's mentioned in the highest percentage of manuals.

It's been a year and it still works fine!