99 automatic trans fluid

[DavidC]

Looks like fluid and filter change time. Last time I bought ATF 4 it was somewhere around $3.50 a quart for Valvoline. I see now it is at least double that.I am going to drain the converter, pan and loosen the valve body. The last time I did that I did that it ate approx. 16qts. Now thats a chunk of change at $7.80 a quart along with the filter and gasket for us retired poor people. Anyone used the Supertech from Walmart (almost half the price). Is it good or stick with the Valvoline without paying for the name ?. I know some use the engine oil and never heard any bad news so maybe the trans. fluid is the same ?

 

[JR]

If it carries the ATF+4 license there is no difference in brand. This due to fca requiring specific base stocks and additives from specific suppliers. To obtain the ATF+4 license oil manufacturers are required to submit their oils and the oils composition to fca for physical and chemical testing and upon approval, the license is granted to the manufacturer.

I always used whatever was on sale on my gen 2's and continue to do so on my 68rfe.

This article is a good read if your interested.

Manufacturers can make ATF+4 fluids, but to use the trademarked ATF+4 name in their compatibility list, they must have their fluids tested and licensed by Chrysler engineers, and must use Lubrizol in their formulations. Licensed fluids are periodically sampled from stores to assure quality.

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/fluids.html

List of approved ATF+4 oils

https://www.centerforqa.com/chrysler-brands/

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for the info and links JR. Think I will try the super Tech.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For that price I would run AMZ/OIL ATF and extend the change interval.

 

[DavidC]

For that price I would run AMZ/OIL ATF and extend the change interval.

Been thinking of that to.

 

[JR]

For that price I would run AMZ/OIL ATF and extend the change interval.

I doubt you could get an empty bottle of Am$oil for the price of a quart of the Super tech

 

[DavidC]

I doubt you could get an empty bottle of Am$oil for the price of a quart of the Super tech

Your right there. Might be competitive with Valvoline tho

 

[JR]

I'm not a club member so cant see the pricing but full retail shows over $15 a quart.

For what it's worth, i had a conversation with Trans Engineer when he was hanging around here about service intervals on the 47RE. He said without a doubt the factory recommended service intervals were set by the fluid at the time (ATF+2) and that the mileage intervals would be much higher if they were wrote with the capabilities of +4 . The +2 sheared out relatively early, a big reason for the limited service intervals and the push to find better additives and base stocks that make up the current +4.

 

[DavidC]

Mine smells and looks a little burnt. Dodge did not make these things to back up anything but a pop up camper, just to high geared in reverse especially with a 32' 5ver. I have seen 230 a few times on the outgoing line. Then there was a town in Nebraska that had a light every block. By the time I got this rig rolling and shifting into second the next light turns red. The TC does not lock up until 18mphish in second so it was just thrashing the fluid.Putting it in neutral at the light was no help as not enough time would elapse.

 

[JR]

Dave, how many miles on the fluid?

 

[DavidC]

Dave, how many miles on the fluid?

10k

 

[JR]

Yikes!

Have you ever considered a 2 low kit?

I put a home made jobber together for pretty cheap. A great mod for a gear limited trans like the 47.

 

[DavidC]

Yikes!

Have you ever considered a 2 low kit?

I put a home made jobber together for pretty cheap. A great mod for a gear limited trans like the 47.

Did not think anything existed for 2wd. Please tell me more or point me to more info.

 

[DavidC]

I'm not a club member so cant see the pricing but full retail shows over $15 a quart.

For what it's worth, i had a conversation with Trans Engineer when he was hanging around here about service intervals on the 47RE. He said without a doubt the factory recommended service intervals were set by the fluid at the time (ATF+2) and that the mileage intervals would be much higher if they were wrote with the capabilities of +4 . The +2 sheared out relatively early, a big reason for the limited service intervals and the push to find better additives and base stocks that make up the current +4.

Their pretty proud of that stuff huh. To be fair I also saw a crazy price for Royal Purple and others. They are all out of my League

 

[Cummins12V98]

I doubt you could get an empty bottle of Am$oil for the price of a quart of the Super tech

TRUE but I would NEVER run anything like that. I was referring to. "Now thats a chunk of change at $7.80 a quart"

 

[JR]

Did not think anything existed for 2wd. Please tell me more or point me to more info.

Ha ha, sorry. I'm so used to everyone owning 4wheel drives up here I forget to consider that.

TRUE but I would NEVER run anything like that. I was referring to. "Now thats a chunk of change at $7.80 a quart"

Never run Super Tech? Why do you say that?

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Cost" of one quart AMZ/OIL

Signature series $10.90

OE $7.10

Both are rated for the 68RFE and AISIN.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Never run Super Tech? Why do you say that?" Because I am a fluids snob and only run top quality brand fluids. Nearly 100% AMZ/OIL products.

 

[JR]

You have made your money and certainly earned the right to frivolously spend it anyway you wish

 

[DavidC]

Now I know some of that $7.80 is for the name and supporting Nascar,Nhra etc. All of which I personally do not want to pay for. The days of you get what you pay for have been gone for a long time and is not necessarily true anymore as you just do not really know unless fully informed and know the difference . I have no chemical degree so I need to get different experiences and recommendations on some things.