I'll be servicing the transmission on our '03 Grand Caravan (3.8l - 50K) this weekend. Did this year of Dodge come with synthetic ATF from the factory. Is one vendor's ATF preferred over another one? Is there a preferred filter kit for the vehicle? Other than quality ATF & filter, are there any other suggestions? With how many miles we put on our vechicles and how long we keep them, I like to keep them well maintained.
TIA,
Ray

 

You HAVE to use atf+4. The specs on this grade of fluid are so tight that I understand any brand will do. I've used Valvoline I bought at Walmart and have been happy. Ithink as long as you regularly service the tranny and change the filter the fram is fine, but there are cheaper ones at Advanced Auto. I usually figure now, that a service is going to cost $12-15 for the filter kit and upwards of $25 for the +4 fluid.

 

Without starting a religious war, are there any gotchas when it comes to running a synthetic fluid in it? Has anyone ran a syntetic fluid with this series of tranny?
TIA,
Ray

 

For peace of mind, stick with Mopar fluid and filter. ATF+4 has friction components that last in the order of 100,000 miles versus ATF+3 which had a life of 30,000 miles.
A local Transmission Shop here uses Mopar ATF+4 for Chrysler products specifying ATF+3 and ATF+4, but will use multi purpose for Ford and GM products.
The maintenance interval for the fluid / filter change is 100,000 miles. Having had good luck with Chrysler transmissions to date - 170,000 on mine and 300,000+ on my Son's, without any problems, I see no benefit in going to more expensive synthetics.
A couple of pertinent sites:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

http://wagnertech.wordpress.com/2005...mercial-usage/

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the great information!
Ray