2016 Chrysler T&C trans service/fluid suggestions

[Silver]

Well I just posted in the Oil section so sorry of I'm boring anyone.

My wife just bought this van with 48k miles. I would like your opinions on service interval and best fluid. It is one of those funky 6 speeds that really creeps me out so I'm a bit paranoid. I will of course read the manual, just looking for any extra info anyone might can share.

Hot summers, mild winters, stop and go traffic, hauling a lot of luggage and kids on weekends.

 

[JTK]

The 62TE has proven to be a great transaxle. Given yours was a rental and has 48K miles, I'd want to do a pan drop, pan clean and refill at a minimum. Most places would replace the filter as well. Like mentioned in your other post, I had a transmission shop do this on my 2013. It was about $70. Dorman makes a replacement trans pan with a drain plug. They do have a dipstick/refill tube with a twist on cap. No dipstick.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Does this transmission take ATF+4? Because all licensed fluids appearing on Chrysler's official approval list are the same because Chrysler only allows a specific Group III oil and a special Lubrizol add pack. So just get the cheapest licensed ATF+4 on that list. Walmart usually has the best price on it, and yes, their ST ATF+4 is licensed ATF+4

But if you're out-of-warranty, the best ATF for transmission that require ATF+4 is Redline C+ (it uses the same add pack as the licensed ATF+4, but with a Group V base oil.

And the Dorman pan that JTK suggested is definitely a great idea and helps a lot.

 

[Wampahoofus]

Severe service schedule says replace filter and fluid every 60k. First change on those usually has plenty of schmutz on the magnet, but subsequent changes usually don't show much. Replace with ATF+4, just shy of 5 quarts, and keep on keeping on.

Inside the sump, the 'main line' bore in the trans holds fluid and will drip/run seemingly forever (once you're inside you'll see what I mean). Vacuuming this out with some kind of fluid pump will greatly reduce your frustration in getting the pan resealed.

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Does this transmission take ATF+4? Because all licensed fluids appearing on Chrysler's official approval list are the same because Chrysler only allows a specific Group III oil and a special Lubrizol add pack. So just get the cheapest licensed ATF+4 on that list. Walmart usually has the best price on it, and yes, their ST ATF+4 is licensed ATF+4

But if you're out-of-warranty, the best ATF for transmission that require ATF+4 is Redline C+ (it uses the same add pack as the licensed ATF+4, but with a Group V base oil.

And the Dorman pan that JTK suggested is definitely a great idea and helps a lot.


+1 ATF+4 only. I would just do a pan drop for the first service, then maybe a drain and fill every 20,000-25,000 miles.

 

[deanm11]

I did first service on a friend's '15 Caravan. Bought the Dorman pan and 'measuring tool.' - gotta do it, it's not very costly (my rockauto purchase below) and then you can do super easy more frequent drains. This vehicle had just 22k on it, not all that much accumulated on the magnet. And then I suggest buying the Fram filter and gasket kit. OEM calls for RTV but nice, clean and easy with a gasket that Fram provides- couldn't find anyone else offering a gasket.


DORMAN 265833 (265-833) Oil Pan $ 24.99 $ 0.00 1 $ 24.99
DORMAN 917327 (917-327) Dipstick / Tube $ 13.58 $ 0.00 1 $ 13.58

 

[Silver]

Ok so this is some much needed info. So it sounds to me like the pan is not reusable, or did you just replace for the drain plug? And I need a measuring tool?

 

[deanm11]

Originally Posted By: Silver
Ok so this is some much needed info. So it sounds to me like the pan is not reusable, or did you just replace for the drain plug? And I need a measuring tool?

Pan replacement just for drain plug.

You need the measuring tool unless you want to trust the original fill and carefully measure what you take out & just put that back in. As you can see, both the pan and measuring tools are a reasonable cost.

 

[badtlc]

You can pump out over 4 quarts through the dipstick tube (there is a tube even though there is no dipstick). Be careful to put in exactly the same amount as you pump out. That means making sure the new and old fluid are at the same temperatures (cold).

The Chrysler spec is pretty tight so it really doesn't matter what fluid. The only fluid that is going to be measurably different is Redline's C+ fluid.

I did the pump/refill at 50k miles and will drop the pan and replace the filter at 100k. Then pump and refill at 150k again.

 

[JTK]

Or if you can find a local transmission shop to do a pan drop cheap for you, hand them the Doorman pan to put back on. Win-win!

 

[Silver]

Thanks a lot. I see you have the same vehicle minus one year. How has the van been? Any preemptive things you would recommend?

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Silver
Thanks a lot. I see you have the same vehicle minus one year. How has the van been? Any preemptive things you would recommend?


We love it so far. No issues to speak of. It was a rental for its first 40k miles so I'm sure things will pop up. We had to buy the headphones and remote control ourselves ($20 on ebay) and that was well worth it.

The oil change is kind of a pain since you have to remove the intake to change the filter but that is no big deal compared to getting under the van. I use a pump for oil changes and can get just about every drop using this method.

Not much choice for oil filters.

I'm not sure what you will get out of your oil life monitor but we have 9,500 miles on the current fill and the OLM has not gone off yet.

 

[KrisZ]

I didn't have to remove the intake tube when changing the oil. There is a bit more oil spillage this way, but a rag around the filter housing takes care of that.

 

[wgtoys]

Originally Posted By: badtlc

Not much choice for oil filters.


Agreed on that count. I'm using the Fram CH11665 which look very well made (not in China!) and are $5-$6 each from online sellers.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: wgtoys
Originally Posted By: badtlc

Not much choice for oil filters.


Agreed on that count. I'm using the Fram CH11665 which look very well made (not in China!) and are $5-$6 each from online sellers.


yeah, same here. Fram says they are releasing a TG oil filter for this application. Until then the only high filtration efficiency filter I know of is the carquest premium at AAP (99.5% @ 20um). If you use the discount codes you can get them around $5/each. I might try them when my CH11665s are gone if the TG11665 is too expensive.

 

[WobblyElvis]

I've owned 4 older Chrysler minivans. Changed trans fluid every 80,000 if not longer and I've never had a problem. IMO changing trans fluid every 20 - 30,000 miles is kind of silly.

 

[Silver]

We took the first long trip this past weekend. I noticed it has a highway drone to it around 70 or so but I'm wondering if it's the tires as I can feel every fly we run over with these Kuhmos. Also it's got a bit of engine vibration at idle when you turn the wheel but I guess about half everything on the road does that. Other than this it seems to be very smooth running and driving, knock on wood!

I have an ATF filter now and will drop the pan when I get a free weekend and some willpower. I think I'll go with Mopar fluid until the 100k warranty is up.

Thanks for the info on the carquest filter.

 

[badtlc]

all the ATF+4 is the same. Just go with the cheapest you can find at walmart or amazon.