I've just acquired a 97 Intrepid 3.5 with 200k as a gift. The tranny I do not have any history on rebuilt, swap, etc. I was thinking of useing a synthetic tranny fluid. Is this adviseable ? Even if I were to have it rebuilt ? or just flush out the current fluid and use what's reccommended. Any suggestions ?

You can ONLY use Plus 4 transmission fluid (+3 is what it came with but now +4). +4 transmission fluid is a synthetic at least Mopar's brand. Just flush it but MAKE sure they put +4 fluid in.

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I could have made a very costly mistake.

I've been using dexron in my 1994 concorde since 2003. now has 220,000 on the car (over 100,000 on my rebuild) and it's fine. I paid $400 for the car in 03 with a bad trans, rebuilt it myself, and used dexron cuz I couldn't afford to spend much on the car at that time. I bought the rebuild kit on ebay for $50 w/shipping and got a shift kit from a local trans shop for $20. I couldn't afford the 8 qts of fluid so I used some dexron I got for free. But after reading all the horror stories on the board, I'll be sure to use only the right fluid on the next rebuild the car gets.

I'd say you are pretty lucky, although I'd have to say it's worth spending the extra money to get the quality stuff. I can understand in your situation though. I'd say you definatly got your moneys worth on the car. I plan on useiung the plus 4 that login 1 reccomended, and to change the fluid and filter every 20k miles. My other car is manual shift, and I just recently swithched the gear oil to sythetic.

I just can't figure out why so many people say that if the wrong fluid is used the trans with just like instantly blow up. they didn't have +4 when I did this trans. it was the first one I ever did and still fine @100k IDK what all the hype is about. I've asked what the actual chemical difference is and no-one will tell me but everyone says it'll blow up. all these years and miles later, I'm still trying to get an answer why mine didn't yet!

Sometimes there are different metals inside, for example, my other car is a manual trans. I switched to synthetic 10k miles ago (169k) it takes GWP4, I was going to use Mobil 1 but it was not the same grade as what the car came with. So I contacted Mobil 1 and spoken to a tech, they advised not to use theirs.
Reason being, there are softer metals that could corrode and eventually fail if used. So, I used "Red Line" synthetic gear oil recommened weight. So, that's probably why a lot of people have had issues with useing other tranny fluid other than what's reccomended. It just so happens that you used what you could at the time and worked out for you. Maybe you can contact Dodge's tech. dept. and I'm sure they can give you the answer you are looking for. Or just call your local Dodge dealer.

they are all clueless, I called 20 different oil manufactures I even did patent searches to get why the claims of instant trans failure with anything but atf+4 yet no luck with anyone divulging any value of information. in total I have over 500 man hours of research into this and I'm no farther ahead than before I knew anything. the dealer is totally clueless and wanted to sell me fluid but had no idea what the secret magic ingredients are. after 100,000 w.o any problems, I going to just continue using what I've had luck with.

WOW !!! I'd say that's some quite extensive research, well you know what they say. "If it ain't broke...don't fix it"... I would do the same as well. I would be curious to know what the differences are. Unless it's just some sort of marketing to get you to just buy the +4 ? Hmmmmm. Well, if you find out anything let me know.