I'm going to be dropping and replacing my transmission pan since it's rusted and has started leaking. I recently bought my Durango (2000 5.9L R/T) and unfortunately the owners manual is for a 2003 so I can't go by that. I haven't looked at the fill cap to see if it says anything about this but was hoping someone could give me concrete info on which tranny fluid I should be using. I've done a brief bit of online research and have found for Dodge, only use ATF fluid, but that the ATF-4 can be incompatable with some seals on older transmissions.

From: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/fluids.html

[blockquote]
If there is a doubt about which grade of ATF to use, follow the owners manual recommendation. AFT+4 in certain specific tests was shown to be incompatible with certain seal material. This incompatibility may cause a premature failure depending on the duty cycle of the vehicle. The fluid will work as intended however, it may cause a seal failure.[/blockquote]

Can someone with a 2000 Durango shed some light?

Thanks!

 

One more thing- what's the fluid capacity on the tranny when just dropping the pan?

 

It should be ATF+3. ATF+4 also has the additives you seek. I know a lot of people use+4 here were ATF+3 is used. You should need about 12-14 quarts. Make sure that you replace the filter and wipe off the magnet in the bottom of the pan and put it in the new pan. You want a magnet in the bottom. This will help keep medal fragments out of your trany.

 

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That's total capacity, including TC.

Pan drop should be 4-5 qts. Start with 3, check (running in N). If OK, drive it a mile or two and then re-check on level ground. Add as necessary.

The 45RFE takes ATF+4

 

If It's a 5.9L RT I think it has a 46re trans
You can use +3 or +4
I would go with +3 as your only replacing 4-5 quarts

 

I think that only the earlier year model 98-2000 uses the ATF+3 and 2001-2003 uses ATF+4. You can upgrade from 3 to 4 but never downgrade based on what the dealers have said.

I heard that some said that ATF+3 is not synthetic but ATF+4 is full synthetic.

 

I actually ended up going to the dealership for the parts & fluid before getting any replies and they gave me ATF-4. I figure they should know if that's not OK, so I'll stick with that...

Thanks for the comments.