Please help. I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 and I wanted to change my transmission fluid. (Dropping the pan) I know the manual has two different types of transmission fluids, so how do I know which of the two I would use? I requested a build sheet and I got the below information in regards to my transmission. I don't know if this has any affect to the oil, but my truck has two wheel drive, 4wd Lock, and 4wd Low.

DBAC All Automatic Transmissions
DGQ 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission

 

My 2010 owner's manual only lists one fluid for one transmission configuration:

I believe the 545RFE is the only auto trans offered in the 1500 in 2010.

There are, however, several transfer case options. The 4WD 1500 models come with on-demand and part-time transfer cases and these require specific fluids to each. But you seem to be referring to the transmission, so that shouldn't affect you. But perhaps that's where you got the info about two different types of fluids?

Rob

 

I confused myself. I will change the transmission fluid with ATF+4 fluid, but what would I use for the Transfer Case? Would it still be ATF+4? Also, I did not find it in the owner's manual but how many quarts would it take? Is it normal or synthetic? Would I run into issues by using synthetic oil when I drop the pan and some of the old oil is till in it?

 

For your transfer case, the fluid type required depends on which model of transfer case you have. If your 4WD selector switch has an 'auto' or 'on-demand' setting it is the NV246. If it has only 2WD/4WDLock/4WDLow then it is NV243.

My 2010 owner's manual specifies fluids for the transfer case as:

Transfer Case (implied NV 243):
MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent licensed ATF+4 product.

Transfer Case – NVG 246 Only:
MOPAR NVG 246 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.

Can't answer the question regarding capacity.

Rob

 

Thank you for the info. I just don't know what was already in the truck when I bought it brand new. I currently have synthetic fluids from the Auto Parts store so that is the reason I asked. I just don't want to mix them if they are different and cause issues.

 

Most modern oils of any particular type/rating can be mixed with each other without issue, regardless of whether they are synthetic or not. I haven't heard of a compatibility problem, well, ever, in the 25+ years I've been maintaining my own vehicles. Don't worry what's in there, just drain it and put in what you want. I recommend synthetic.

Rob

 

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Thanks for the help BigBlueEdge. I did my transmission filters and oil yesterday. Not too hard of a task as long as you have all the right tools you need. I say this because I didn't. It took me about 3 ours because of that. I unhooked the return line and let the oil sputter out of there and dropped the pan. I ended up putting 10 quarts in it and I am pretty sure there is too much in it. With the 10 quarts and filters, I ended up spending roughly $90 usuing full synthetic oil. Since of course I used too much, it prob would have been about $70.