I was wondering if anybody here knows for sure how a Dodge dealer does a trans fluid/filter change?. I would imagine they are supposed to follow a Dodge specified procedure. I have talked to three different dealers and received two different answers. Sadly it seems as though most service advisers either know absolutely nothing or they simply lie to you.

1. "We use a machine that flushes out the old fluid with a cleaner and replaces it with new fluid".
2. "We flush out the old fluid with a machine and push new fluid through"

I normally do this myself but i am in process of moving and have no place to do it nor do i have any time. The truck is going in for spark plugs anyhow so i figured i would take care of this too. I do NOT want any solvents of cleaners being used but i would rather not just have them do a pan drop and fluid (whats in the pan) swap.

 

I watched them do mine and there is no filter change. The unhook the lines up by the radiator, plug them into a machine and it pumps the old fluid out and new in.

 

That is what mine does as well, straight fluid replacement. When I had the truck in for a warranty pan leak at around 110K I had them change the filters since they were already in there.

 

Well i had the truck in there yesterday for plugs and the fluid/filter change. I specifically said "I do NOT WANT ANY SOLVENTS USED DURING THE FLUSH". He insisted they simply flush out the old fluid with new fluid. When i went to pick up the truck the invoice says "BG Transmission flush" and their was an itemized listing for "BG Solvent". I went bezerk on them and asked what that was all about. He then says "It's not a solvent, it's an additive". And then tries to explain they do it on all their vehicles there and they have never had an issue. That being said, considering Dodge has a lifetime powertrain warranty now (mine has the 100k warranty) he raised a good point that "if this caused harm, why would we even use it since the majority of our customers would never have to pay for any repairs associated with it.". So, i guess i'll calm down. But it does not change the fact that these service advisers really need to learn about the products they are offering.

Although unrelated the trans but seeing as how i had it done yesterday too, they did save the old spark plugs for me as i had asked and despite having 62,000 miles on them (which is more then double the recommended change interval) they looked fine.

 

my 09 has 263,000 on the clock . I take mine to small transmission shop that actually builds transmissions. they pull my pan change filters and filler back up . with this many miles they do not recommend force flushing. still some in torque converter that will mix with new. no problems so far .,

 

Technical Service Bulletin 26-004-12


Chrysler Group vehicle fluid systems do NOT require regular flushing. These systems




include: engine oil, transmission oil, axle lube, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and


refrigerant. The only exceptions to this requirement are published in the vehicle


maintenance schedules, e.g. engine coolant.


NUMBER: 26-004-12


GROUP: Miscellaneous


DATE: June 06, 2012




Exceptions to this recommendation include only those instances where a malfunction has occurred and/or the system has become compromised, contaminated or overheated beyond the normal operating range.


Chrysler Group does NOT recommend aftermarket chemicals to flush the engine,
transmission, brake or steering systems. Chemicals contained in these products can
damage the system elastomeric components, and contaminate the component fluid,
leading to loss of system/component durability and service life. When necessary, only the original approved system fluid should be used to flush these components using teamPSE® approved equipment.


If the engine coolant contains a considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with Mopar Cooling System Flush, p/n 04856977, or equivalent. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Refill with a minimum of a 50% mixture of the specified coolant and distilled water.


POLICY:






Information Only

 

Amazing that a dealership ignores these suggestions.

 

Ditto. Just had the trans service done and the dealer got it right. Pan drop, inspect for debris, primary and cooler return filters replaced, pan on and refill (almost 7 liters). Most manufacturers frown (not a new thing) on auto trans flushing so ya gotta wonder why so many places (especially dealers) keep pushing this quack service. Oh ya... that money thing.

 

They are performing a procedure that does not comply with the respective service instructions for said vehicles.

That is consistent with what many others have found, however, external appearances aside, it's what you can't see that you need to be most concerned with.

Cheers,

Keith