I've got 36,000 miles on my 2011 Durango v6. when do you guys recommend changing the transmission fluid, and to flush, or not to flush? I've heard yes or no on both of those.

 

I'm heading out for road trip to Florida soon, & I just want to make sure that any maintenance that needs to be done, or is recommended by any of you all get done before I leave.

 

I do mine at 125,000 miles.......

 

I drain and fill at your mileage and at 72k hit up a complete flush/ filter change on all my vehicles. The only deviation is if I notice fluid breakdown I.e elevated trans fluid temps or burnt or discolored fluid.

 

A drain fluid and filter change at 50k is what i do. Never flush. There's no reason to if you do regular fluid and filter changes and if done improperly, can damage your transmission. The transmission filter is typically magnetic. You don't want to force fluid at pressure through the transmission and break up all that and sludge and scatter it everywhere. If it absolutely must be flushed, do a fluid and filter change first. The fact that many dealers don't perform "flushes" and manufacturers don't recommend a "flush" tells you all you need to know.

 

For reference Coach, your owners manual calls for transmission fluid/ filter changes every 6 years or 60k miles. As for "flushes" don't use a chemical flush but when I do mine I simply pump new fluid through the input line to the torque converter with a hand pump.

 

Thanks people! An interesting note about my Owners Manual: I had the App on my phone & when I got a new one I wasn't able to find the App again in the App store.

 

I changed out all my fluids w/ Amsoil because I tow, I was amazed at how much smoother the transmission shifted w/ a better oil in it. I only had 7k miles on the vehicle but I could tell the difference right away. My dif fluid looked like grey water as well, glad I changed everything out.

 

Mike-is MOPAR cool with Amsoil? I know Honda is Honda specific when it comes to fluids in trans, diff, transfer case. I also know Amsoil is good stuff. I tow as well and I'd like to change out diffs and trans and transfer case. Good news is when towing, my trans stays around 156 degrees. Temps above 220 really take a toll on trans life.

 

Owner's manual:

"Use only MoparŽ ZF 8&9 Speed ATF™ Automatic Transmission Fluid or
equivalent. Failure to use the correct fluid may affect the function or performance
of your transmission."

I guess it depends on whether the Amsoil used is classified as an "equivalent." Would have to check the label VERY carefully, but what I've seen so far is that the tranny is so new in the 2014s that Amsoil and others hasn't put that exact spec on their product description. They list Chrysler equivalents and ZF equivalents, but not the "Chrysler ZF" equivalents.

As for the diffs and transfer case fluids, the owner's manual is not as strict. It merely states what is "recommended." In other words, if you don't use what's "recommended", you don't necessarily void your warranty on those parts. They're not as forgiving with the transmission fluid though.