ATF+4 is synthetic says Chevron

[Steve M]

http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/nafl/auto/content/atf.shtm



I was looking for a quart of ATF+4 for my '03. Unable to find any so I went online. It's a good thing I didn't give in a grab a quart of ATF+3. That would also explain the $7. 00+ a quart for the ATF+4 from the dealership. So according to Chevron, going to synthetic in our '03s is like replacing the air in our tires. It already has synthetic in the transmission.

 

[lmills]

I asked this to some friends of mine before, but couldn't get a straight answer. None of them knew if it was or not. I noticed originally on the bottle of ATF +4 that it said it was an extended life fluid that would last a lifetime. They didn't come right out and say it was a synthetic, so I wasn't sure.

 

[Hudsonhawk]

Yeah, Chrysler switched to ATF+4 in 2001. It is the recommended fluid in all of their autos. DC has even recommended it in their older vehicles as well.

 

[Tony T.]

Steve! Were you able to locate it any were else other than the dealership.

 

[Steve M]

No and according to the Chevron article, it's only available through the dealership. It doesn't have to be Dodge. We have a Chrysler Jeep dealer less than two miles from us that carries everything I need for my truck. I had my last truck's transmission serviced there.

 

[Tony T.]

Steve M: I hate to hear that dealship only mess. I checked there first before my first oil change on oil filter's they wanted $16. 00 for their Mopar filter. Geno's sounded a whole lot better at $8. 95

 

[Steve M]

It's only a matter of time before ATF+4 and +5 show up in the stores. ATF+3 is available in Walmart now. I get my filters from Geno's in the kit with four lube filters, two fuel filters and an air filter. I had two lube filters and a fuel filter left over from my '01. 5 kit. They're the same parts with the fluted oil filter being the only difference so I'm using them on my '03. I find it easier to remove the intake snorkel and change the filter from above anyhow.

 

[PCline]

I had a cooler line failure earlier this summer. I was out in the sticks and wasn't going to find ATF +4. Ended up using Dexron III (synthetic) and added the Lubegard Friction Modifier (one bottle treats 8 quarts if I remember correctly). I've been told by several mechanics that the combination is equivalent to ATF +4.



In fact, the NAPA store that I bought the friction modifier at claimed that all the local shops by the Dexron and modifier for work on D/C transmissions.



In any case, it got me home without any further problems.

 

[PhilMorrell]

Has anyone tried this stuff?



http://www.synlube.com/prod02.htm

 

[PCline]

Just glancing at the page it looks like there is a disclaimer that it will work for "all" applications "where the manufacturer specifies synthetic".



The Mopar fluid is synthetic, but it is friction modified to work properly. I don't think ATF +4 qualifies.



Just my $. 02