Great forum guys....newbie here.

I live down in Austin, TX and we've got some serious heat goin on right now.

I got a question about my 2004 3.7L V6 Dakota....

Right now I've only got 14,000 miles on it and with this 100 degree heat should I be worrying about changing the transmission fluid?

Are the 04 Dakota's known for having a heat sensitive transmission? The reviews on Consumer Reports gives most of the past Dakotas a pretty crappy history with their transmissions. What gives?

 

i wouldnt worry about changing it at only 14,000. if you do a lot of towing or stop and go traffic i would really suggest installing a tranny cooler. when you do change the fluid just make sure you use only mopar approved fluid and dump a bottle of some additive along wit it. i put lucas in everything. tranny, oil, fuel. i swear by it.

 

Do you see any increase in MPG with the Lucas additives? I'm getting about 17mpg in the city right now.

 

i never really saw an increase. i run seafoam about everytime i change the oil also. i always use lucas just to extend the life of the seals and bands in the tranny and in the oil to make sure my motor will last. royal purple is another outstanding additive and oil. except the oil is $9 a quart. i get about 26-28mpg on the highway and 18-19 in the city