I feel like a complete idiot. Went and had the tranny flushed, realizing the next day that they put in some valvoline max life stuff......and right on the dip stick it says the kind of fluid to use. Grrr... So I called the shop and told them about the concern, and they said that the fluid they put in is universal, but I do not believe that one bit. I am 110% against having the tranny flushed out again to get the right stuff in, regardless if I'm paying for it or not. Should I just drop the pan and refill with atf+4, and do it again in the spring time? I know that by doing this it will only replace half of the fluid, at best. Any advice would certainly be appreciated.....Not looking forward to new tranny, flush, or spending more money than necessary.

 

I have a Dodge Dakota with the 42re transmission. Mine has the Valvoline
ATF +4. I believe the Valvoline Max Life trans fluid is the Dexron/Merc. Check their website. Dexron/Merc will harm your transmission.

 

You're absolutely right! That's what I'm saying. So my question is, how to fix the problem without under going another flush. I just don't want them to damage the tranny while doing it.

 

I would take it back to the shop that flushed the transmission and have them do it correctly with the proper fluid. If they are a reputable shop, they should fix this issue for free. They put the wrong fluid in, they should fix it.

The only way to get it all out is to flush the trans.

 

By the way, having another flush should not hurt the transmission. Todays flush machines use the transmissions pump to cycle the fluid out. There is no extra pressure put on the trans as years back with older fluid exchange systems.

 

Max life is DEX/MERC. Get it out asap! Its not universal, Any good shop will know this. You know engine oil is universal too but you dont see me using my cummins 15w-40 oil in my jeep. The truck is only meant to have atf +4. Take it back and make sure you watch them flush it and not just say "they flushed it"

 

Get it out, but careful with the trans flushes...

Some people say they can't hurt but I disagree - especially when you have a lot of mileage on your truck.

2 Years ago a trans flush was "recommended" and it killed my tranny in my grand prix. Yeah pontiac transmissions suck, but dodges aren't any better!

Get it all out and replace with it with ATF+4

 

Agree get it out. Another flush shouldn't hurt. But the shop needs to admit they messed up and clean it out.

 

dex will fail up your governor pressure solenoid & sensor
i put the wrong fluid in and after i week the truck didnt have any power to get up a hill.......

 

I went to website, does not say that what everyone is saying here, where is everyone getting there information that Max life will hurt your transmission?