Okay, so I may not know a lot about newer Chrysler transmissions, but I do have my suspicions. I want to purchase a 97-02 Dakota 5 spd, but at the same time am looking for a 1997 Intrepid or 2000 Stratus with an automatic. I'd like to keep it running as long as I can and want to do the standard oil flush and what not. But my last Chrylser with 11K on it got a tranny fluid flush and BAM! No tranny anymore. I thought, lemon. Then, the next Chrysler (a friends) did the same thing at the tranny flush. BUT, this was a 73 Plymouth Valiant, and a 68 Imperial. Now, I drive a Chrysler Lebaron with 104 K on the original fluid and the tranny still works beautifully. I was told in another forum that with Dodge, if you don't change the fluid in them, they run forever. I think that's bull, but I can't prove anything. My only Chrysler with the original fluid is fine, and my 73 went out at 11K.

Now, I know that's a long time ago, so I'm wondering if it's okay to change the fluid in the 1997 Intrepids or 2000 Stratus. I'm hoping that Chrysler fixed that problem from 30 years back. And, if I keep up the maintenance, will this car go 130-160K? Thanks guys

 

It's okay to change the fluid...just DON'T flush it. If you DON'T flush the fluid every fluid change, then you should NEVER flush it Just do the standard drain, replace filter, refill.

 

I've heard about this before. Do you have any idea why this is true?

 

If you don't flush the transmission in the first place, then a lot debris can build up in the tranny and settle on the bottom of a lot of surface areas. Not just the pan, but anything that is flat on the tranny can build up sediment. If you flush it the first time, then usually there isn't enough sediment to plug up the lines and jam up any of the mechanisms. Since tranny's don't have enough fluid pressure or fluid movement, then they can build a lot of junk up without hindering performance. But, if you try and flush it when the car has 50K, 60K, 100K and it's never been done before, then all of a sudden all the junk gets blown into the lines and plugs them up and your tranny is toast. I learned this from my Mercury Sable.

However, I wasn't sure if Chryslers were the same as the 60's and 70's since I know the A413 tranny was created in 1956? and used in the Neon's til just recently. I didn't know if you could change the fluid or flush at all in these cars, cause last time I did, I needed a new tranny. At least I know you can just change the fluid instead of leaving it til the tranny dies. Thanks!

 

also if you want to make it last longer, put an external trans cooler on it, the cooler the better, just mount it to the radiator, and bypass the cooler lines in the radiator if it has them. within the past month I had three cars in the shop that blew out the trans cooler in the radiator and mixed all the fluid, all trannys toast. one was a 02 cadillac and one was a 98-99 voyager, forgot the last one

 

Well, if you have already changed it keep changing it as recomended per manufactures specs. If it has not to this point then let it go. When you do and oil change(on the engine)snug up the bolts on the tranny pan. Lucas Oil stabilizer is wonderful!!!! They make a trans. fluid stablizer and an engine oil stabilizer. They both are great. I called once and talked to a sales rep at Lucas and found out that the engin oil stabilizer will work in the automatic transmissions. I have used both in the 727trans.in my 1979 dodge power wagon and they have worked miracles.I would not say either is worse than the other, but thetrans. stabilizer is about 7 or 8 bucks a quart and the oil stabilizer is about 21 0r 22 bucks a gallon and you are able to use it in your engine as well.Just food for thought. It willwork wonders on your cars and trucks. And again, just stick with what the vehicleis used to.Lucas will help!!!