Transfer case fluid.

[Dasmoeturhead]

I use ATF -4 Valvoline Synthetic in my 2015, and I actually engage my Transfer Case daily in 4WD High just to make it up to our house. Just ticked over 78,000 mi and going strong. I also have to pull (drag) my 35' TT through a soft field which requires 4WD, just to get it to the storage area on our property.

 

[SyN]

The expensive magical mystery Mopar transfer case fluid was created for the BW44-44 transfer case with the Auto feature in the Ram 1500 which uses a friction clutch pack design instead of a simple chain drive. Hence the special fluid needed with more or less friction modifiers I presume. Maybe even a lighter viscosity fluid is needed.
Really don’t care anymore don’t own my 2014 Ram 1500 any more.

FCA/Mopar figured let’s make a hell of a profit on this ATF and spec it for all our Ram transfer cases.

My 2017 Ram has the simple chain drive BW44-46 so ATF+4.

 

[Danohall]

I asked Amsoil several months ago if their fluid was compatible. This is their reply.

"The AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is indeed confirmed to be compatible with the BW44-44 Transfer Case and meets the Mopar Transfer Case Lubricant 68089195AA."

 

[gsbrockman]

I asked Amsoil several months ago if their fluid was compatible. This is their reply.

"The AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is indeed confirmed to be compatible with the BW44-44 Transfer Case and meets the Mopar Transfer Case Lubricant 68089195AA."

Someone from NASA could call AMSOIL and ask for a compatible fluid for the space shuttle. AMSOIL would state the same. Theyre not going to lose out on a sale......

 

[Danohall]

Someone from NASA could call AMSOIL and ask for a compatible fluid for the space shuttle. AMSOIL would state the same. Theyre not going to lose out on a sale.....

Ok...I'll listen to you over them then.

 

[Newsa]

The expensive magical mystery Mopar transfer case fluid was created for the BW44-44 transfer case with the Auto feature in the Ram 1500 which uses a friction clutch pack design instead of a simple chain drive. Hence the special fluid needed with more or less friction modifiers I presume. Maybe even a lighter viscosity fluid is needed.
Really don’t care anymore don’t own my 2014 Ram 1500 any more.

FCA/Mopar figured let’s make a hell of a profit on this ATF and spec it for all our Ram transfer cases.

My 2017 Ram has the simple chain drive BW44-46 so ATF+4.

Ok, thx. Good to know a bit more about what the inner works of our TC's look like.

But I actually like having the extra slipperiness of the friction modifier of the BW fluid in there.

Still got 2.07 years and 22,765 miles left on the extended warranty. So still using the BW fluid.

Anyone using an actual manual transmission oil? Or is that not something worth consideting? Will likely change out the BW fluid in a few years.

 

[JR]

The expensive magical mystery Mopar transfer case fluid was created for the BW44-44 transfer case with the Auto feature in the Ram 1500 which uses a friction clutch pack design instead of a simple chain drive. Hence the special fluid needed with more or less friction modifiers I presume. Maybe even a lighter viscosity fluid is needed.
Really don’t care anymore don’t own my 2014 Ram 1500 any more.

FCA/Mopar figured let’s make a hell of a profit on this ATF and spec it for all our Ram transfer cases.

My 2017 Ram has the simple chain drive BW44-46 so ATF+4.

What does your owners manual state?

My 14 3500 also has a manual transfer case, but my owners manual does not differentiate between models or transfer cases. It states only the 44-44 fluid for 1500,2500, and 3500.
Furthermore, when I went to the dealership to get some they insisted on verifying fluid through my VIN.
I don't know what makes the 44-44 fluid so pricey other than the fact it's a Mopar branded bottle, but I know it smells very different than ATF+4. I find it incredibly frustrating they don't list any specifications to cross to.

 

[Ozymandias]

does Ford use the same TC from BW like it was in the past with the NV?
if so, which oil uses Ford?

 

[jhenderson]

What does your owners manual state?

My 14 3500 also has a manual transfer case, but my owners manual does not differentiate between models or transfer cases. It states only the 44-44 fluid for 1500,2500, and 3500.
Furthermore, when I went to the dealership to get some they insisted on verifying fluid through my VIN.
I don't know what makes the 44-44 fluid so pricey other than the fact it's a Mopar branded bottle, but I know it smells very different than ATF+4. I find it incredibly frustrating they don't list any specifications to cross to.

Do a search here on transfer case fluid. There’s hours of reading. As an aside, since there’s no fluid spec, you’re not required to use it. It’s only a recommendation. The case is gears, chain, and bearings. Nothing that needs special lube. They charge what the market will bear considering the relative ignorance of the average purchaser.

 

[JR]

I don't need to do a search, I know what many peoples stance is on this, including you. I was asking because syns post implies that his manual states something different than mine.

Also, I wouldn't consider following an owners manuals recommendations ignorance.
But that's just me.

At the end of the day, it's only 2 quarts every 2-3 years for my usage. Not that big a deal either way.

 

[SyN]

JR: the BW44-46 has been around awhile even before the expensive (more complex) BW44-44 transfer case.
All previous BW44-46 TC were spec for ATF+4.
Nothing has changed within the 46 TC that requires it to require a so called specialized expensive fluid.

Plain and simple it’s just an easy one fluid fits all for FCA/Mopar/Ram.
Which I totally understand , makes it easy for everybody and a whole lot less confusion and still in the process the company makes a nice fat profit on the fluid itself. FCA/Ram/Mopar Just simply backdated & spec the this fluid for all the Ram transfer cases. I get it! I’m just not falling for it—>That’s all. It’s no big deal: I very seldom believe anything the government tells me either.

I even went so far to text my service manager at the dealership where I bought my RAM which by chance happens to be a pretty good close personal friend.
I simply asked him if I was to drain my transfer case this fall for the upcoming winter and replace with a ATF+4 fluid would I have any issues?
His text back was delayed but replied back: No! “Why would you expect any?” nothing within this transfer case has changed besides that’s what I run in mine.
He owns a 2015 Ram HD2500 4WD.

Notice up above I did not recommend others to do this nor would I at this point.
My BW44-46 still holds the FF.
I really have no need to drain it due to my four-wheel-drive system only gets engaged 4 to 6 times a year during the winter. (Really never for long extended periods of time). Only for snow and ice storms my truck never gets taken off road or muddying she stays on the tarmac.

But I will say my 68RFE will be drained and refilled with redline C+ within the next year.
it makes perfectly good sense to only use one transmission fluid within MY vehicle so the redline C+ will be going in the transfer case when the time comes to drain the FF.

To be perfectly honest I don’t think I’ve even opened my manual or what I call a simple guideline book more than once. IF have a question I normally text or call my service manager (Steve) at the dealership. He normally gives me a quick straight up truthful answer.

After being a RL user for over 20 some years I know that RL C+ is far more robust product when compared to the so-called expensive Mopar specialized fluid. I like that Warm Fuzzy Feeling!

Like you said it’s only 2qts: No Big Deal!

I am by no means posting within this thread to start an argument or dispute what others are using or have intentions of using.
I really honestly could care less what other use it’s none of my business.
I was simply sharing what I have been told by others and information that I have read which truthfully reading between the lines makes perfect sense.

But I will reiterate like I said above I do not recommend others to use any product that’s outside the owners guideline book.

Note: One thought I have kept in my mind for many years: Just because others don’t do as I do or use the product or products I use & achieve great success does not make them wrong! My Ego is not that big!
Then I just stopped worrying about others & what they are doing! But I still respect them & their opinions.

 

[NIsaacs]

I really have no need to drain it due to my four-wheel-drive system only gets engaged 4 to 6 times a year during the winter. (Really never for long extended periods of time).

I wouldn't ignore my t-case for the above reason. Keep in mind it still gets used hard in 4x2, just like your transmission or rear axle. I change mine every 36K miles.

 

[SyN]

I would never ignore the transfer case service.
I have it on a 30K mile service reminder on my phone.
Since I have a company work truck: 30K miles will take me 8 years to acquire.

Edit: After draining the FF & refilling with RL C+ I think 40K mile service is easily doable since the fluid will have very little contamination if any at all.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Ok...I'll listen to you over them then.

It's really amazing how some just can't resist slamming AMZ/OIL at every turn.

 

[jhenderson]

I don't need to do a search, I know what many peoples stance is on this, including you. I was asking because syns post implies that his manual states something different than mine.

Also, I wouldn't consider following an owners manuals recommendations ignorance.
But that's just me.

At the end of the day, it's only 2 quarts every 2-3 years for my usage. Not that big a deal either way.

The definition of ignorance is a lack of knowledge or information. In this case it refers to a lack of understanding what’s inside our particular case and it’s lubricant requirements. If you don’t need to search you must already know Transengineer has posted that his contact at BW told him it leaves them with Dexron in it.

 

[SyN]

I will have to research back: But about a year ago within another Ram forum this same conversation come up.
We had a member send in a sample of the expensive Mopar fluid for a VOA.
If I remember correctly it came back as nothing more then ATF resembling Dexron III (basically same viscosity)

Main thing is: Like posted above don’t forget/ignore the Transfer Case service.
New Fluid every so often is ever so important.

I know Sean: (Mopar eco-diesel) used Valvoline max life multi vehicle ATF in his BW44-44 for well over 200,000 miles with never an issue.
He even claimed the transfer case seemed to be smoother during operation and also engaged in and out of service smoother/quicker especially during the cold.
He used the Auto feature quite often while pulling his trailer during the winter through the mountains passes.
I honestly don’t think Brand matters. Just keep it serviced on a routine basis.

 

[Ozymandias]

Oil Threads..... always a source of endless Fun.

 

[JR]

The definition of ignorance is a lack of knowledge or information. In this case it refers to a lack of understanding what’s inside our particular case and it’s lubricant requirements. If you don’t need to search you must already know Transengineer has posted that his contact at BW told him it leaves them with Dexron in it.

I must say this changes the value (or lack thereof) of my previous statement, I've seen many opionions on this but never a definitive answer from an insider like transengineer.

Appreciate the tip.

 

[gsbrockman]

It's really amazing how some just can't resist slamming AMZ/OIL at every turn.

It’s additionally reallllllly amazing how some attempt to force-feed AMZZZZZZZ/OYL, Michelin tires, 3.42 axle ratios, 4.10 axle ratios, AISIN transmissions, factory rear air, and the blasphemy of partial fluid changes at every turn, too.

 

[Newsa]

It's really amazing how some just can't resist slamming AMZ/OIL at every turn.

The marketing works for some. But really turns others off. Some laugh at the price.

I think they are just having fun with you and mocking the frequency with which you promote Amsoil. I have been a regular customer of ansoil. In fact, I still use their bypass filter and I want to try the new Dominator 20w-50 they have. Reason: I have more recently run into biodiesel and the 20w-50 will allow me to run the oil a bit longer with fuel dilution of crankcase. (Without running too thin of an oil in hot weather.)

In the 90's I was swayed by a member of a biker group I used to ride with through the Everglades.
Had a lot of respect for the man because he taught me a lot in the 90's about motiorcycles. Some fact, some opinion.
At that point, I had never used any boutique oils... just the oils at the auto store. At that point I hadn't heard of amsoil because I had just gotten internet.

We pulled over at a park & he pulled his dipstick and asked me to run it (amsoil) between my fingers. It felt spongy (more so than conventional & cheaper synthetics) like it had good protective film strength. So I started using it in everything.

I am no longer convinced it is magic, though.... And mostly for the past 5 years have tried other brands.
Not knocking amsoil. I like the idea that they are starting to offer a 20w-50 in the age of increasing biodiesel availability. (And in some locations), decreasing availability of petro diesel.