Hi,

I went to my local parts store and picked up a transmission filter and fluid for my 2003 Quad Cab Dakota V6/Auto. I drained the fluid, changed the filter, and put in 4 quarts of Castrol ATF+4 fluid. When I got done, I went up to AutoZone to dispose of my used motor oil and transmission fluid. The truck started out good, but it seemed to want to hesitate going into 2nd or 3rd gear. Don't know which gear it was, so that is why I said 2nd or 3rd. This was part of the 90,000 mile service.

I have changed out the fluid and filter in my old F150 and never had it do this before.

Does it take a little time for the gears to fully lubricate?

Thanks,

 

You sure 4 qts are right. Seems low to me.

 

you need to ck your trans level your probley 2 qts short

 

you're short.
check level w/engine running and shifter in neutral.

 

Hi,

That thought did cross my mind. When I purchased the fluid, I was told by the person that looked up my parts, that it took 4 quarts. I checked it when I got back from emptying my old oil and it did seem kind of real light pink rather than red like it usually is. I will go pick up 2 more quarts and let y'all know. I guess next time, I will make double sure about the specs. The weird thing is that my owners manual didn't specify how much trans. fluid it required. It just said ATF+4.

Thanks for the help.

 

Make sure you check your fluid level before adding. Don't just throw two quarts in. It does sound like you need more fluid, but add only the correct amount.

 

Hi,

I have an update on the truck. I went up to the parts store to get some fluid and asked the guy behind the counter to verify that my truck takes 4 quarts. He looked it up and said it did take 4 quarts. He went into this spill and told me that little rule of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", even if the maintenance manual says it's required. He also said that sometimes when you change the transmission fluid, you could mess up the transmission and make the problem worse than it was when you started. After that, he told me to try some of that "Lucas Stop Slip" in and see if that helps.

I went down the repair manual aisle and grabbed a Haynes manual for my truck and looked at the capacities. There were 3 or 4 transmissions that take 4 quarts and 2 or 3 that take 5 quarts. I grabbed another quart of ATF+4, paid for it, and added it to the truck at the parts store.

My truck is like it should and all is good now. Just out of curiosity, is there a place on my transmission that lists what type it is?

Thanks for all of your help.

Chris

 

If its the v6 auto it should be the 42re.

 

3.9 v6 - 42re
5.2/318 v8 - 42/44re
5.9/360 v8 - 46re
4.7 v8 - 45rfe

 

Please - check your fluid level as I stated earlier.
Correct procedure: engine and transmission warm (driven for a few miles). Park on level ground, keep the engine running. Put your foot on the brake. Move the gear selector from Park to Reverse. Keep it there for a few seconds (5 or so), than to neutral (5 seconds), down into Drive (5 seconds), back to neutral. Apply the parking brake.
Remember to keep the engine running and transmission in neutral. Get out of the truck and than remove the dipstick, wipe it off with a clean rag. Then, reinsert the dipstick and pull it out again to get your final reading. Add only as needed (somewhere in the cross hairs, BUT DO NOT OVERFILL).

You can cause damage by having too little or too much fluid.