ATF Question

[tmacc]

Well, It's almost time for me to do a trans service. I plan on putting in the trans. cooler line w/ the thremocoupler port and a drain plug while I'm at it.

Here's my question. The owners manual says to use ATF3+ but the parts guys at the dealer looked it up and said to use ATF4+. Which one do you guys recommend? For the price of 4+, I can probably get Amsoil. Can they be mixed? The parts guy said that using 3+ in a Caravan can cause the TC to slip. Don't know whether to belive him or not. My truck was built Jan/00 if that makes any difference. So far, the dealer is the only one that carries 4+

BTW the local NAPA does not carry the trans filter for the '01 trucks(or '00 or'99). Not in their computer. $26 from the dealer. I plan a little better next time and get it from Geno's.

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'01 2500 4x4 4. 10 White/Driftwood QC plain SLT auto trans snow prep camper package tow package bed liner mopar mud flaps Reading Ind. 33" tall contractors cap. Toys: 3 mountain bikes, a cyclo-cross bike, and a road bike, plus a couple of whitewater kayaks. Yeah, I know their human powered, but the bikes are fun to modify too. Like spending $$$ to make trucks more powerful, It takes $$ to make bikes lighter. Titanium isn't cheap.

 

[Chad Sheets]

3 was the best a while back, now that 4 is out its the best, so they say, and when 5 comes out they will tell you how 4 makes your transmission slip. I bet 3 was flawless until 4 came out. Yes you can mix them.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member. http://www.geocities.com/chadsheets

 

[Steve G]

I say drain it and put Amsoil in it. Of course that's just my opinion.

Steve

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Y2K 3500 SLT+ 4X2,auto,3. 55,VA,275s,PS mod/elb,K&N,DTT TC&VB,SPA Boost/ETG&Tran Temp/Pres,JRE 4" exhaust,Mag-Hytec Trans Pan,Roadmaster Susp,Rhino-liner,Eagle Series 58 Wheels

 

[Mopar-muscle]

steve are you running amsoil in your trans ? i was advised against it .

 

[John]

The PowerShop in Enumclaw, WA. has had excellent results with the new Amsoil "Universal" synthetic ATF in customers' Rams (better than the Amsoil ATF+4 version). This new ATF carries the +4 designation as well. I just purchased three cases of it the other day for my new DTT upgrade. Woohoo!

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s/DD Boost Module, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD modified trans. front pump, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

Recycle Bin: Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit (due to flow restriction), Bosch 275s & VA CPC (upgraded to DD3s... WOW! what a difference!), '00 Dodge/Cummins valve cover (going back to my OE '98. 5 valve cover... tricked out though), VDO Vision gauges (upgraded to $PA gauges. . three of 'em... where's that #ad
when you need it? LOL)

[This message has been edited by John (edited 01-12-2001). ]

 

[Steve G]

Mopar,
Yes I'm running Amsoil. The guy that installed my TC/VB told me that Amsoil used to not meet DC specs but now they meet all of the specs and recommended it.

Steve

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i misunderstood my source , the new amsoil is ok . i guess i'll use it on my next change .

 

[Bill Kondolay]

tmacc,

All the new ATF+4 oil, are suppose to meet the ATF+3 specifications. ATF 3 does not meet the ATF+4 specifications.

As far as using one synthetic oil vs. another synthetic oil, that is a personal choice as we have not done enough studies to give you a qualified answer. And the same applies to petrolium based oils.

On my personal truck I use castrol syntecs which is a dextron 3 oil, with a lube guard additive. This set up that I am using CAN CAUSE CLUTCH CHATTER. Using dextron 3 by its self WILL CAUSE CLUTCH CHATTER.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology

 

[tmacc]

Thank for the in-put guys. Got a couple more questions for ya'.

I certainly don't need to use the "B" schedule for my service intervals. So, I'm wondering when should the first sevice be performed? I've only towed three time (300 mi. )in the first 100 days that I've had the truck? Now at 12,800 miles.

If I decide to use Amsoil. Is a extended sevice interval recommended or not?

If I use reg. +4, What is the suggested service interval? The dealer is $6 qt. Anyone have cheaper source?

Bil K,
I think I remember seeing on another thread that you recommend against the total fluid replacement services or was it just against flushing the trans. w/ solvent that they use? Can you elaborate a little? (BTW, How do get any work done if your answering our questions all of the time? Don't stop, we appreciate it. )
I'm glad you mentioned the lube guard in your post. Do you recommend it in stock transmissions at every service? I think you said most trans. shop carry it.
Thanks in advance everyone.

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'01 2500 4x4 4. 10 White/Driftwood QC plain SLT auto trans snow prep camper package tow package bed liner mopar mud flaps Reading Ind. 33" tall contractors cap. Toys: 3 mountain bikes, a cyclo-cross bike, and a road bike, plus a couple of whitewater kayaks. Yeah, I know their human powered, but the bikes are fun to modify too. Like spending $$$ to make trucks more powerful, It takes $$ to make bikes lighter. Titanium isn't cheap.

 

[Motorhead]

Check on the price of the gallons of +4 atf at dealer. It is cheaper. Chris

 

[highland]

tmacc:

I change mine basically every spring. Thats about 30000 miles. I use Amsoil ATF +4, drop the pan which drains about 50% of the oil, change the filter, adjust the bands, and button her up with a new pan gasket. I am carfull to torque everything to spec, including the filter screws. Although this only drains half the fluid, the Amsoil is good stuff and it always looks extremely clean on the dipstick, even right before the change. I think the Amsoil is woth the extra $$$

99 QC 4x4 68,000 miles, Horton Fan, Mag-Hi-Tech, Bilstien.

 

[Bill Kondolay]

tmacc,

I do not like flushing because you may get something lodged in the return line which is your lube circut and a contaminant may plug up one of the tiny holes. There is no way to warn you or the technician that this has happened.

You may want to keep in mind that a lot of transmission technicians will dis-agree with me on my views of flushing machines. For the record this is my personal opinion on transmission flushing and not a statement of fact.

I discourage dis-connecting the cooler lines to flush transmissions because you run the risk of running the pump dry.

Using synthetic oil does slightly increase the service intervals,however keep in mind even synthetic oil gets contaminants eventhough it may not break down as fast as petroleum based oil.

tmacc ,
as far as my posting goes, guys it would be a one sentance post if i had to type these responses myself.

All these posts that i respond to, my wife Shanti types for me. We work together to try to help you guys.

Bill Kondolay
Diesel Transmission Technology