2001 Dode Ram 1500, 5.9 v8 auto. can I use STP Automatic Transmission Fluid in it?

 

ATF +4. Brand doesn't matter. Its all pretty much the same stuff.

 

I hadda ask, cause I can't find anywhere on this damn bottle where it tells me if its ATF +4 or what not... I'm new to driving and taking care of a vehicle lol so idk much of what I'm doing.

 

If it doesn't say ATF +4 right on the front of the bottle, it isn't ATF +4. You need to use the right stuff, or, it annoys the transmission, and forces you to spend money getting it rebuilt.

 

+1 on the ATF+1. If it ain't on the label, it ain't in the bottle.

Did you just buy this or is it something you had? It should say dexron, merc, or some indication what kind it is. I cannot remember seeing ATF+4 by STP.

If you just bought it, take back and exchange for the correct type.

And since you are new to driving, be cautious of advice that others give you on the street or neighborhood. I have learned in the 11 or 12 months that I have wned my Ram that these things are a little different. For instance, you check the transmission fluid in Neutral, not in Park as most other vehicles.

Also, you can find a free download service manual and parts number in the FAQ/DIY section. It will be a great help to you as well as this forum. Also, check out the DIY section on the plenum thread stickied there.

AND....welcome to DF!

 

welcome to DF and get all your advice here. there's a million good posts you can search, many with pictures and links.

i've never heard of STP ATF+4. don't use it. get either Walmart brand, Valvoline from any parts store or Castrol from Advance.

Never use any additives or the wrong fluid. factory transmissions are weak as hell to start with and if you happen to have an original, don't feed it anything that's going to break it.

drain and refill takes about 6 quarts...

if you're needing a lot, i bought a 12 pack case at Amazon for $70. about $6 per quart instead of the $7 at the parts store. walmart is cheapest at about $5-6.
watch out on this link, as the price goes up and down a lot. i seen it anywhere from 67 to 87.

 

it was dexron. .-. Do I flush the tranny or just drain it and refil? Im already gonna replace the filter.

 

drain and refill. that'll get about half of it out, and its currently only a 50/50 mix.
see if it acts and shifts ok.
if you haven't added a drain plug yet, now's a good time.

if you had a lot of pastey gray sludge on everything inside the trans, after another couple of weeks, change fluid and filter again.

advance auto has the drain plug for cheap. about $4.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...drainplug.html