I live only 4 miles from my work and when its cold outside sometimes my truck never gets to OD. I've noticed this with every auto. I have owned, I wouldn't be concerned. Absolutely never hurts to change the fluid tho just for maintenance purposes.

 

one thing i got into the habit of doing in the colder times, when you start the truck, put it in neutral for about 30 seconds, this will allow the pump to start with the fluid transfer. there is a ring in the tranny that prevents fluid from doing its job, most shift kits that people install, the kit has you remove this ring,

 

just called my local Dodge dealer for grins and asked about a transmission service (since I'm at 60k), they don't drop the pan unless there is a problem. The do a "power flush", remove the old fluid, put a conditioner in for the seals and stuff and then refill with 16 qts. for $195.00. They do not replace the filters. Simce this is the "factory recommended service" then we really dont need to be dropping the pan right? Aamco charges $149 for a power flush....$199 for a flush/filter change.

 

When I got my truck it was seaping fluid from around the transmission pan. I had a 3k mile warranty and I told them I wanted the pan dropped and it resealed along with the fluid and filters replaced. They told me that it would be over $200 just to drop the pan and reseal it, not including new filters or fluid. I took it down the street to a fancy transmission shop and he did a drop, filter, and a low power flush for $150. Its important to have a low power flush because you dont want the high power flush free any solids and cause a reduction in flow in the transmission. IMO, find a trusted transmission shop that guarantees their work.

 

I had the transmission pan dropped and filter changed last month at a dealership. It's progressively been acting up after a cold start. The engine runs fine. After driving it about a block after normal warm up, then stopping at a red light, after a few seconds, it lurches forward, as the idle surges, then almost dies as the idle drops below normal, then returns to normal. Then today, it didn't return to normal and died. It feels like the transmission wants to lock up at idle. I suspect something with the fluid change, like maybe the filter wasn't put on properly. I left it at the dealership overnight to let them judge for themselves. The service manager didn't think it was transmission, but I disagree. Any thoughts on possible cause?

 

that sounds alot like a failing TC... but if it happened right after the service, it could also be a bad filter install, good luck...

 

every 30000 miles i have the tranny serviced, drop the pan, change out the 2 filters and road tested, every 50000 miles i have the frt and rear axle fluid serviced, next service will be the complete trans axle sercive were they will do everything, Sharon had her nitro done and it was almost 400.00 but it was well worth it,

 

Just got word from the dealer: They claim the transmission has a software update, and expect me to pay $220 for the "diagnostic and reflashing". They also claim it had nothing to do with the transmission service. I'm calling bull**** on this one. I specifically asked if they could check for software updates before the transmission service and was told, "Oh yeah, they hook it up to the computer when they do the service." I'm waiting to hear back from the service woman, but I said they should have picked up on any software updates then.

 

I managed to get the "diagnosis" taken off the bill, but still ran me plenty with taxes($135). They still deny that their transmission service had anything to do with it. I've searched these forums and found PCM reflash issues dating back to 2005. I can't believe that a software issue would crop up on it's own after this many years, and even if it did, and was a known issue, would they charge you for the privilege of fixing it! My truck was delivered in September of 2006 so might have had the transmission that was involved in the TSB. My beef with this dealership is that the service rep said that the transmission would be hooked up to their computer after the service. Now she is saying that they only hook it up to make sure the transmission works! I really am losing interest in this truck fast if this is the kind of "service" that their five star dealers provide. There is still 30k left on the powertrain warranty and I think this should have been covered.