Having experienced the level of quality in the '06 2.4 I got to wondering about how the transmission was put together, a look through my owners manual has no mileage for changing the fluid.. Is it reasonable to presume that the tranny is of the same build quality as the engine??, I have never heard of a 'sealed' auto transmission but then again..............., I don't imagine that synthetic oil would have been used in '06??

 

I recommend to change the transmission fluid and filter every 15k.

 

Certified ATF+4 trans fluid should be good for 4 years/60K under normal use. I would change it every 30K if you tow or drive in heavy stop and go traffic. FYI the 2011 GC owners manual states to change the trans fluid and filters at 48 months or 64K "if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing" otherwise at 90 months or 120K. BTW the same transmission fluid is used in your van is also used in my 06 2500 diesel truck and its good for 3 years or 30K for severe usage like heavy towing so I see no reason why it would not hold up for 30K in your van. BTW if I was to drive my truck like a car the owners manual states the trans fluid would not need to be changed for 5 years or 100K.

 

mastertech, dblr, tnks; the interesting part of this is that the manual specifically states that a 100k change is required only for taxi type service.

 

2.4,

I know they say the ATF is good for 100K but would still service the trans at least every 3 years or 45K what ever comes first just to be safe and make sure the trans fluid you use is ATF+4, using AFT+3 will not hold up well and can cause trans problems. IIRC our 2010 Journey had a sealed auto trans as I never did find a trans dip stick under the hood.

 

DBLR, unless I am reading my manual incorrectly Dodge states that the fluid has an unlimited service life, only taxi type applications require a change-passenger vans never need a change; it would appear that its a 'sealed' unit ??

Experiencing first hand the short cuts in how they make/made the 2.4 its fair to say that the tranny also has alot of built in 'character', accurate???

 

I still think that heavy stop and go traffic is hard on trans fluid even though Dodge thinks its good for 100K, even if it is 100% sealed trans I would still change it at taxi service times to be safe as your the one who has to pay for repairs if you don't have a warranty.