Last weekend, I did my second oil change on my 2014 Ram Crew Cab Lonestar. I noticed a couple of things while on my back underneath the truck:

Good News: There actually appears to be a drain plug on the bottom of the transmission pan. First vehicle I've ever owned with one of those. The prospect of flooding the driveway with transmission fluid has discouraged many a fluid and filter change, I'm sure.

Bad News: The optional extra-cost polished aluminum wheels are stamped "Made in China" on the back side!

 

Everything is made in China these days. They pretty much own us.

 

But I don't have to like it!

Of course, the alternative is paying double, and most people don't want to do that. "We" have brought it on ourselves.

 

Just remember, draining the pan is only about 1/3 of the fluid in the trans. There is a reason why you take it in to someone with a fluid replacement machine.

 

If it's the 8 speed, it's more complicated than that. There is no dipstick on the 8 speed and fluid level is checked via a side plug when the fluid temp is at a required number. Also, it's a 100k mile service unit and to change the filter, the whole pan needs to be replaced as the filter is built into the pan.

 

Wow, I wonder how much that 1-piece filter+pan is going to cost.

 

Was about $350 when they first came out, now I see them for $130.

Here is a good link on the trans itself

http://www.motor.com/newsletters/201...8HP_Tranny.pdf

Trans pan 8 speed TRANSMISSION »Transmission components Dodge › Ram 1500 › 2013-2014 List Price : $180.00
Your Price : $129.60

 

Interesting link, Pedro. The transmission is referred to in this presentation as "fill for life". Does that mean that something special has been done so that it is guaranteed never to leak? Or have they just made it incovenient to check and fill?

Also, the presentation did not mention anything about the changing of fluid ... do they intend for the fluid to never be changed in normal service?

I belive I have the HP70, gas version.

 

Most modern transmissions are defined as fill for life. Doesn't mean that folks still don't change the fluid. The lack of a dipstick and top side fill point makes it a little tougher, but since a proper fluid change involves a fluid replacement machine - you still just yank a cooler line and hook it in to the system.

 

Fill for life means that under normal conditions, the fluid should outlast the transmission clutches (my take on it). If you tow, I would recommend doing the fluid exchange every 50,000 miles or so. I've been on other forums where someone emailed ZF engineering about the "fill for life" statement. The way I remember it, was to change it at 50k if you tow with it.

The owners manual does not call out for any fluid changes so I don't think they would deny you warranty work on it if it breaks, especially since you can't even pull the dipstick to inspect the condition of the fluid.