Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Having trouble finding ATF+3, is it superceeded by ATF+4?

[rweis]

Well, time to change the transmission fluid. Have a DTT, always used ATF+3. Well, no ATF+3 at WalMart, Discount Auto, local parts store. Has ATF+3 been superceded?



I see Valvoline ATF+4 on the shelf and never saw that before. ATF+4 (Valvoline) more $ than the ATF+3.



Got on the phone and called DTT. Actually spoke to BK. He said I could use Dextron III and LubeGuard RED (1 bottle). Where can you get the LubeGuard RED? Local parts store did not have it, Did a Google search and not much turned up. Where do you find the LubeGuard?



Did a search here for LubeGuard and only discussion how to use it, not where to find it in the first place.



Could use a little help here, thanks in advance,



Bob Weis



EDIT

LubeGuard RED means which product? Red top?, Red bottle?, High Friction Modified ATF Supplement? What EXACTELY is the "RED" product?

 

[Regcabguy]

ATF+3= Pepboys

Well, time to change the transmission fluid. Have a DTT, always used ATF+3. Well, no ATF+3 at WalMart, Discount Auto, local parts store. Has ATF+3 been superceded?



I see Valvoline ATF+4 on the shelf and never saw that before. ATF+4 (Valvoline) more $ than the ATF+3.



Got on the phone and called DTT. Actually spoke to BK. He said I could use Dextron III and LubeGuard RED (1 bottle). Where can you get the LubeGuard RED? Local parts store did not have it, Did a Google search and not much turned up. Where do you find the LubeGuard?



Did a search here for LubeGuard and only discussion how to use it, not where to find it in the first place.



Could use a little help here, thanks in advance,



Bob Weis

Hi Bob,I just got 15qts of Valvoline ATF+3 @ $2. 79 qt for my DTT at Pepboys. Fred Swanson said the Dextron III will work but produce harder shifts. Incidentally,after getting reamed at the dealer for a filter I called Mag-Hytec who quoted me $2. 00 for the open design filters I've always used and $3. 50 for gaskets. I stocked up.

 

[Nate]

I was told on here that using Mercon/Dextron is fine. I've been using it in my transmission and a few other Dodge trannys for a while now and I haven't noticied any ill effects.

 

[Nate]

For the Lubeguard, Napa and Carquest carry it, and I believe Shucks does as well.



The Black bottle is basically an additive package that makes the Mercon/Dextron into ATF +3.



The Red bottle is just a fluid "improver".



I've have a few transmisison shops recomend the black bottle to me.

 

[JonWilson]

use the +4 its synthetic

The atf + 4 is the synthetic version of +3 and I would highly recommend it all

new mopar transmission are now running this and it is fully compatible with the plus 3if any residual remains in trans

 

[rweis]

Stopped by local NAPA, got some LubeGuard RED (like BK recommends, IF you have shudder with plain Dextron III). They get Dextron III by the pallet load, pleanty of that.



They had 2 cases of Valvoline ATF+3 so I got them anyway so I can do the change a little easier in my mind. I was talking to the counter guy and he said, hum, never heard of that, and checked the warehouse. I have the LAST 2 cases of Valvoline ATF+3 in the Winter Haven FL distribution system. No more in the warehouse, seems superceded by ATF+4.



The ATF+3 was $2. 39 / quart in a case lot. The ATF+4 was $4. 95 / quart in a case lot. When I change the transmission fluid and drain everything it takes about 20 quarts or so. $47. 80 vs $99. 00



FYI



Bob Weis

 

[Joe Mc]

I'd go w/ATF+3 or do what BK recommends - he is the DTT MAN!!!