Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) another transmission fluid question

[vaicase]

so i have decided to go with atf transmission fluid my owners manuel says i should use atf+3 why do most people say atf+3 but some people say use atf+4 some dealers say either one some say atf+3 some sayatf+4 what is the difference? also what size bolts hold the filter in i have heard they are torx but what size? i have a 1998. dont know if it is a 47re or some other transmission my dealer does not know for sure also how many quarts do i need i am just gonna do a straight drop of the pan and filter change thanks

 

[pwr2tow]

Your transmission is a 47RE.



When just dropping the pan you should get 6 quarts, give or take a quart, so have 7 quarts on hand. Remember to check oil level with transmission hot and in neutral.



Your year transmission was designed for ATF +3.



I see no advantage to going with +4 unless you tow extreme weights out of lockup, as long as you can get into lockup (either third or OD) in a reasonable lenght of time the ATF +3 is fine. The +4 has the advantage of lower fluid temperatures but as long as you can get into lockup the temps stay down anyhow.



For what it costs for +4 you could change out 6-7 quarts of fluid up to four times more often, so instead of every 12,000 miles for heavy weight towing you could do it every 3,000 miles. This would be if you put a drain plug in the pan or go with a after market pan that aready has a drain plug.



Ron

 

[SEmerson]

Keep in mind the atf 4 is to reduce shuttering. But it does this by letting the trans slip more. I run dextron 3 to get a minimum amount of slip. atf3 would be my next choice if I shuttered. And atf4 if I planed on selling the truck and didn't care.