DEXRON HP vs DEXRON VI: Which GM 8-Speeds Use Mobil 1 LV ATF HP and How Many Quarts
Mobil 1™ Synthetic LV ATF HP (Mobil part 124715) is licensed to GM DEXRON® HP, the fluid GM specifies for its 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics (2015–2019 Corvette, 2015–2018 Silverado/Sierra 1500 8-speed, 2015–2017 Escalade and Yukon Denali, 2016–2019 Camaro, ATS, CTS, CT6, 2017–2019 Colorado/Canyon). GM lists a 7.4-quart fluid change and about 10.9 quarts total for the 8L90. It is not DEXRON-VI, and GM's 10-speed (10L80/10L90) takes a different fluid, DEXRON ULV. Escalade owners: 2015–2017 is the 8-speed and uses this fluid; 2018 and newer is the 10-speed and does not.
Which transmissions take DEXRON HP?
GM's own transmission fluid chart (TechLink) lists the 8L45, 8L80 and 8L90 eight-speed automatics with DEXRON HP. The same chart lists every 10L60, 10L80 and 10L90 ten-speed with DEXRON ULV, a thinner, separate specification. So the first question is not "which truck" but "which transmission." Vehicles GM's shudder bulletin 18-NA-355 identifies with the 8L45 or 8L90:
| Vehicle (8-speed automatic) | Years | Transmission |
| Chevrolet Corvette (C7) | 2015–2019 | 8L90 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 | 2015–2018 | 8L90 |
| Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV | 2015–2017 | 8L90 |
| GMC Yukon / Yukon XL Denali (6.2L) | 2015–2017 | 8L90 |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 2016–2019 | 8L45 / 8L90 |
| Cadillac ATS / CTS | 2016–2019 | 8L45 / 8L90 |
| Cadillac CT6 | 2016–2018 | 8L45 / 8L90 |
| Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (3.6L) | 2017–2019 | 8L45 |
Later Silverado, Sierra, Colorado and Canyon models that kept an eight-speed (8L80/8L90) are also listed by GM with DEXRON HP. Trucks and SUVs that moved to the ten-speed are not: the 2018-and-newer Escalade, the 2018-and-newer Yukon Denali 6.2L, the 2021-and-newer Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon, and any Silverado or Sierra with the 10L80 all take DEXRON ULV.
Not sure which one you have? The RPO code on the Service Parts Identification label (glovebox) tells you: M5U/M5X is an 8L90, M5N/M5T is an 8L45, MQB/MQC/MHS is a 10-speed. Or call us at (626) 269-7689 with your year, model and engine.
DEXRON HP is not DEXRON VI
This is the trap. Both bottles say "DEXRON" and both are GM specifications, but they are different fluids for different transmissions, and the mistake runs in both directions:
- Do not put DEXRON-VI in an 8L45 or 8L90. GM's service bulletin for the 8L45 states the transmission "makes use of Dexron® HP transmission fluid only" and that "failure to use the proper fluid may result in transmission internal damage." GM TechLink adds that the HP fluid "is required for all 8-speed transmission repairs regardless of the repair being completed."
- Do not buy this fluid for a DEXRON-VI transmission. Mobil lists exactly one approval for Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP: GM DEXRON HP, licence J-62120. It is not licensed for DEXRON-VI (6L80, 6L90, 6T-series and others), nor for MERCON LV/ULV, Toyota WS, or any CVT or dual-clutch gearbox. If your owner's manual says DEXRON-VI, buy a DEXRON-VI licensed fluid.
In this product's name, "LV" means low viscosity. It is not Ford MERCON LV.
How many quarts do you need?
That depends on the job, because a pan drain leaves most of the fluid in the torque converter, valve body and cooler lines. Three figures to work from:
- Drain only (no pan drop): much less than a full service. Some references put a simple drain at only 3 to 4 quarts, so a case of six covers it.
- Fluid change with pan and filter: GM's TechLink capacity chart lists 7.0 L / 7.4 quarts for the 8L45, 8L80 and 8L90. Owners doing a pan-and-filter service report putting back 7 to 8 quarts to reach the level-check plug.
- Complete fill or full exchange: GM's 8L90 specification sheet gives 10.3 L (about 10.9 quarts) excluding the cooler; trade references put the total at 10.9 to 11.5 quarts depending on the vehicle.
We pack the fluid in the counts those jobs actually take, in sealed 1-quart bottles of the same Mobil part 124715:
- Case of 6 quarts: simple drain-and-fill, or a top-off with spare on the shelf
- 9 quarts: pan drop and filter change (7.4 qt) with margin for the level check
- 10 quarts: pan drop and filter with extra margin, or a drain-and-fill on a vehicle that drains more
- 12 quarts: complete fill, converter drained, rebuild or fluid exchange (10.9–11.5 qt)
- Single quart: top-off
A dealer-style machine exchange under bulletin 18-NA-355 uses far more (GM lists 20 quarts, 24 for the Corvette and CT6) because it flushes until the new fluid is nearly pure. Two 12-packs cover it.
What Mobil publishes
Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP is a full synthetic ATF that ExxonMobil describes as approved and licensed by General Motors against DEXRON® HP (licence J-62120). Typical properties: kinematic viscosity 5.7 cSt at 100 °C, viscosity index 152, pour point −54 °C. It is the same blue-label fluid GM supplies to its dealers for the eight-speeds under GM part 19417577, identified by the J-62120 licence number on the back label.
Before you start
- There is no dipstick. The level is set at a check plug under the vehicle with the engine running, and GM's procedure requires the fluid temperature to be in a narrow window (service information quotes 35–45 °C / 95–113 °F, confirmed with a scan tool). Too hot and the transmission ends up underfilled; too cold and it is overfilled.
- Fill by the level-check procedure, not by bottle count. The figures above tell you how much to have on hand.
- Recycle used fluid at a parts store or collection center.
Mobil, Mobil 1 and ExxonMobil are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation. DEXRON, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Camaro, Silverado, Sierra, Colorado, Canyon, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, ATS, CTS and CT6 are trademarks of General Motors. MERCON is a trademark of Ford Motor Company. CalBest Supplies is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these companies. Capacities come from GM and published service data; always confirm against your owner's manual or service information.