Trans fluid??
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
You are Correct sir! We did apparently miss that MAJOR TIDBIT of information.
DURANGO23 USE MOPAR ATF+4 Preferrably Dealer but there are Chrysler Engineering department authorized alternatives.....My personal Favorite is Valvoline ATF+4
I personally think that with the 545RFE Transmissions the filters are most commonly found at dealers so it is a one stop shopping....Two filters, ATF+4 and the RTV SEALANT
I saw 99 Durango in the sccreen name and no vehicle or trans description so I glossed over it. 99 Durango Just verify your engine and transmission
General rule of thumb is ATF+4 IS NOT BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE..Meaning you should be able to use ATF+4 in ATF3 transmissions but not ATF3 in ATF+4 Transmissions.
Widow..Master Tech, Hydra, help me out and verify please.
DURANGO23 USE MOPAR ATF+4 Preferrably Dealer but there are Chrysler Engineering department authorized alternatives.....My personal Favorite is Valvoline ATF+4
I personally think that with the 545RFE Transmissions the filters are most commonly found at dealers so it is a one stop shopping....Two filters, ATF+4 and the RTV SEALANT
I saw 99 Durango in the sccreen name and no vehicle or trans description so I glossed over it. 99 Durango Just verify your engine and transmission
General rule of thumb is ATF+4 IS NOT BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE..Meaning you should be able to use ATF+4 in ATF3 transmissions but not ATF3 in ATF+4 Transmissions.
Widow..Master Tech, Hydra, help me out and verify please.
Good call samnbensdad! I guess we did overlook that and forget to mention it but yes that it one of the most important pieces of information in this thread.
I'll shed a bit of light on the situation.
Use only ATF +4 in any of the first generation Durango transmission. I know you have a 99 Durango and the engines available for that year were the 5.2 and 5.9, so you either have the 44re or the 46re, so yes use only ATF +4 in either of them. The filters for the transmission are really only readily available at a dealership, anywhere else you're likely to run into someone going, huh?
Also, ATF +4 is strictly a Chrysler, LLC product and any and all transmission fluids displaying the ATF +4 label on the front are required to undergo very rigorous testing to ensure it will be compatible with all transmission that call for it. This means that ATF +4 is simply ATF +4 all day long and one is not really better than the other. ATF +4 is a synthetic transmission fluid and there is no substitute for it, so someone telling you to be sure and get synthetic ATF +4 just tell them, sure ok. I also recommend Valvoline but this is just because they have great fluids other than transmission fluid (rear differential lube and motor oil), so until Mobil 1 releases an ATF +4, I will invest in Valvoline.
Also, be sure to not flush the system as it will cause very premature wear to the engine and back-flushing basically sprays all the crap your filter was stopping from getting thru back into the system, so flushing is a big no-no.
A bit of information some of you may not have known but the main reason for transmission failure due to incorrect fluid being added, is because Chrysler LLC has a special additive by Lubrizol that has been used since the days of ATF +2 and the transmissions are built knowing that Lubrizol will be in the pan and many components found in it help lubricate the engine that are not found in other ATF's.
Also MAGIC, ATF +3 has been discontinued since 2005 and is no longer available to the publix. ATF +4 has replaced it entirely, thus the reasoning for ATF +4 being compatible in ATF +3 recommended transmissions. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT ever put ATF +3 in a transmission that is meant to run with ATF +4 in it, as it has a different MSDS and different components in it that will kill the engine faster than you can say ****.
It is very common for ignorance in the world of transmission fluid and most people just don't know that if it calls for one thing, don't put something else in. Dexron/MERC will destroy the transmission and possibly cause engine failure down the road due to a dead tranny. Actually, ATF +3 is simply Dexron with an additive added!
A good rule to keep in mind... Dexron is General Motors, Mercon is Ford, and ATF +4 is Chrysler, LLC. Don't mix them together because it just ain't right!
I'll shed a bit of light on the situation.
Use only ATF +4 in any of the first generation Durango transmission. I know you have a 99 Durango and the engines available for that year were the 5.2 and 5.9, so you either have the 44re or the 46re, so yes use only ATF +4 in either of them. The filters for the transmission are really only readily available at a dealership, anywhere else you're likely to run into someone going, huh?
Also, ATF +4 is strictly a Chrysler, LLC product and any and all transmission fluids displaying the ATF +4 label on the front are required to undergo very rigorous testing to ensure it will be compatible with all transmission that call for it. This means that ATF +4 is simply ATF +4 all day long and one is not really better than the other. ATF +4 is a synthetic transmission fluid and there is no substitute for it, so someone telling you to be sure and get synthetic ATF +4 just tell them, sure ok. I also recommend Valvoline but this is just because they have great fluids other than transmission fluid (rear differential lube and motor oil), so until Mobil 1 releases an ATF +4, I will invest in Valvoline.
Also, be sure to not flush the system as it will cause very premature wear to the engine and back-flushing basically sprays all the crap your filter was stopping from getting thru back into the system, so flushing is a big no-no.
A bit of information some of you may not have known but the main reason for transmission failure due to incorrect fluid being added, is because Chrysler LLC has a special additive by Lubrizol that has been used since the days of ATF +2 and the transmissions are built knowing that Lubrizol will be in the pan and many components found in it help lubricate the engine that are not found in other ATF's.
Also MAGIC, ATF +3 has been discontinued since 2005 and is no longer available to the publix. ATF +4 has replaced it entirely, thus the reasoning for ATF +4 being compatible in ATF +3 recommended transmissions. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT ever put ATF +3 in a transmission that is meant to run with ATF +4 in it, as it has a different MSDS and different components in it that will kill the engine faster than you can say ****.
It is very common for ignorance in the world of transmission fluid and most people just don't know that if it calls for one thing, don't put something else in. Dexron/MERC will destroy the transmission and possibly cause engine failure down the road due to a dead tranny. Actually, ATF +3 is simply Dexron with an additive added!
A good rule to keep in mind... Dexron is General Motors, Mercon is Ford, and ATF +4 is Chrysler, LLC. Don't mix them together because it just ain't right!
Last edited by WhiteWidow00; Mar 30, 2011 at 04:08 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 950
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From: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
I had a 98 Jeep Cherokee (regular not the Grand) that I was changing the fluid and filter religiously (25K miles and I remember the ATF for Chrysler and just figured +2 and
+3 were just improved fluids with the times.
Guess I learned something new today. Widow, take yourself an apple for the teacher.....******* of course....LOL!!!
+3 were just improved fluids with the times.
Guess I learned something new today. Widow, take yourself an apple for the teacher.....******* of course....LOL!!!
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Riverton, UT
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: S Fl
I didnt mean to ruffle any feathers guys, but Thanks Widow and Old School even you too Dan, despite the meds joke.
Again the question was answered, yes I might have gotten slightly off topic but so be it. This is after all a forum.....
From Wikipedia: "An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages."
This was a discussion of transmission fluid checking...... which the point was made that someday in the not too far distant future this question wont come up because the average driver wont even have the ability to check fluid even if they do want to. I personally don't like taking it to dealers for fluid checks. Ties up my day, takes there time away from stuff that needs attention to detail like engine changes, transmission overhauls etc..
Again the question was answered, yes I might have gotten slightly off topic but so be it. This is after all a forum.....
From Wikipedia: "An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages."
This was a discussion of transmission fluid checking...... which the point was made that someday in the not too far distant future this question wont come up because the average driver wont even have the ability to check fluid even if they do want to. I personally don't like taking it to dealers for fluid checks. Ties up my day, takes there time away from stuff that needs attention to detail like engine changes, transmission overhauls etc..
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 950
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From: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Neil...No sweat....I know how it is to not have my nap!!! LOL!!
Old, I am pretty sure it was 75W90 gear oil Valvoline did my last Transfer case and differential servicing. When I find the receipt I will let you know.
Old, I am pretty sure it was 75W90 gear oil Valvoline did my last Transfer case and differential servicing. When I find the receipt I will let you know.