2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission fluid

[ruSSrt]

Starting to get my parts and pieces together for transmission fluid change in my 2017 grand Cherokee limited v6 8 speed auto and realized it's not that easy to find a fluid for it. Internet is telling me it's lifetime fluid, some people say Mopar ATF+4 is fine. If I can use Mopar ATF that would make my live easier since that's what I use in my 01 Cummings and can change both of them at the same time.
What should I use? Is there a better fluid I can use in both of my vehicles?

 

[Kira]

This:
https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Chrysl...efix=mopar+8-9+speed+atf,automotive,81&sr=1-1

I believe ATF+4 is incorrect for your application

Which type of pan are you going to use?

 

[ruhroh]

You'd need ZF8 fluid or similar. Maxlife claims to work, Top tec 1800 works, L12108 should work, Mopar 8/9 speed works, Lifeguard 8 works. ATF+4 does not.

The pan is plastic, and has a built-in filter. I've had leakage from the top gasket with the dorman pan with replaceable filter. 4 bolts are pain in the butt to get on and off because a crossmember is in the way.

 

[Danno]

I would go with ZF fluid. Snap shot from Rockauto for your Jeep.
Prices are in CDN$ as I am in Canada, US prices about 40% less.

And the Mopar pan.

 

[Pablo]

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-oe-...ansmission-fluid-otl/?code=OTLQT-EA?zo=515729

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-sig...ansmission-fluid-atl/?code=ATLQT-EA?zo=515729

 

[ruSSrt]

This:
https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Chrysler-Dodge-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B07V46QTWM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ATS7R7AQXN4Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.APXKmdvGng8ARQmlnkR-882ni5LDYIxrLlYVj98HPpTZ9w-LrN-E-7PHvdxFa-hhmDcFpLO6vq6GvWA91kigGjFjrki3l1qsTcly0Jej8j3sAEe2G2vKyY5hwLnQMSHdNrOAJxaclBRh_SjMfhpMUZzDXlTdJdkwpcu3Ixhk7y60KvQCgRCTwl_e7lQ0IXJHZctupGy5pR6esFKMWTfd1B7jRIU6-IABeBVYgitAm5diMa-Xq-sp8b1pqrtnfUiEm_ecIGMnI-0G40A-NaFkzDGt7eyMDe2YEuqGRgUkLSA.zcgVTTIg2MLEQtCGbjpoqiEUrZbmCZRXnoHb26t0_ko&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mopar+8-9+speed+ATF&qid=1750074544&s=automotive&sprefix=mopar+8-9+speed+atf,automotive,81&sr=1-1

I believe ATF+4 is incorrect for your application

Which type of pan are you going to use?

Not sure yet. I was going to start looking for one once I get a minute this week.

 

[JavierH19]

8 speed? can't use atf +4. A great fluid is valvoline EP atf. Maxilfe should work but I'd rather spend the extra on the better EP atf instead.

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-...99&gPromoCode=READY4SUN&gStoreCode=6099&gQT=2

 

[ruSSrt]

You'd need ZF8 fluid or similar. Maxlife claims to work, Top tec 1800 works, L12108 should work, Mopar 8/9 speed works, Lifeguard 8 works. ATF+4 does not.

The pan is plastic, and has a built-in filter. I've had leakage from the top gasket with the dorman pan with replaceable filter. 4 bolts are pain in the butt to get on and off because a crossmember is in the way.

Any suggestions one other brand of the pan besides dorman?

 

[Kira]

OE pan might be the best way to go. A replaceable filter is a great feature, but not if it doesn't fit correctly.
Someone posted that they used a pan from a BMW dealership. They use or used the same transmission on one of their models.

One more bit of info:

A friend has the same vehicle as you.
I priced out a pan from the dealership and the correct Mopar 8-9 speed fluid as well as Lifeguard 8.
It came to ~$330.
He decided to go to a trannie shop to have it done.
He paid ~$840 for the service.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd go with the ZF fluid.

 

[ruhroh]

Any suggestions one other brand of the pan besides dorman?

Mopar would be my choice or if you can find a ZF-made one somewhere. The plastic pans from ZF made for BMW ZF8s will bolt on and work (FCPEuro for their Lifetime replacement), but as far as I know, only Chrysler uses the deeper style of pan that allows for an extra half quart or so of fluid capacity. Since that deeper pan came on the GC, it's probably there for a reason. So, Mopar.

Autotechnica's aluminum pan didn't have great reviews. I didn't dare try the many $35 eBay pans.

Use a 1/4" ratcheting wrench and put the correct torx screwdriver bit in there to get to the bolts blocked by the crossmember without having to remove it. Tighten based on feel because you can't get a torque wrench in there.

 

[ruSSrt]

8 speed? can't use atf +4. A great fluid is valvoline EP atf. Maxilfe should work but I'd rather spend the extra on the better EP atf instead.

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-and-transmission-fluid/transmission-fluid/p/valvoline-extended-protection-full-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-gallon/1281911_0_0?spps.s=6099&gPromoCode=READY4SUN&gStoreCode=609

What is the benefit of EP over maxlife?

 

[The Critic]

I would go with ZF fluid. Snap shot from Rockauto for your Jeep.

Lifeguard 8 or 9? That remains a constant debate.

Mopar specs one fluid for the 8 and 9 spd units. Rumor on the street is that Mopar is using Lifeguard 8 for both.

 

[JavierH19]

What is the benefit of EP over maxlife?

Better base stock since it has the same vii, kv 100, and 40 but with a lower pour point and brookfield figure, can do longer drains, and the additive pack is more focused as it's more for newer step shifts instead of older and newer step shifts and cvt's like maxlife. Maxlife claims down to dexron II and even as an autotrack transfer case fluid replacement I believe. But as for step shift years the EP can go from dexron 3 to dexron VI and HP while maxlife can't do those newer fluids and EP has a much smaller step shift list than maxlife.

Universal fluids may make some transmission experience odd engagement, light shudder, and other things earlier during the interval compared to something not universal as making a more universal additive pack means making many transmission requirements cross with each other but it's gonna be a tight balance to make it work in everything. Just enough additives for it to work in these types of transmission but not too much so it doesn't cause problems in these so some transmissions can see maxlife as something like its factory fluid but with a slightly higher additive treat rate but some others can see it as being light on the treat rate and will work fine for a while as a little more doesn't cause issues as much as a little too less but tends to need to be changed sooner.

I think that's why they didn't make a higher end maxlife EP with a better base stock but with the same compatibility as maxlife since the additives may not last long enough for the longer drains from the better base to make a difference. Possibly why only the better base is used in the EP atf as it's something with a more specific additive formulation which can last long enough to make use of the base oils extended drain capability without wearing out before then. And EP has newer transmissions in mind more than maxlife.

 

[racer12306]

If you want to go full tilt...

https://ppepower.com/collections/tr...-speed-2013-2025-ram-dodge-jeep-bmw-a90-supra

and some reference from someone who used it

D

Post in thread '2018 VW Atlas ATF Question (Aisen 8-spd FWD)'

May 19, 2023

What did you think of the PPE pan?

It's nice, but when you get it brand new you have to take everything apart and give it a good cleaning.

Be patient when you install it, use the steel sleeves from the old pan (use Scotch-Brite to slightly sand the sleeves if they don't fit), use a brand new pan gasket and brand new bolts, and don't torque them over 8 ft-lb. Follow the PPE pattern, it works great, and go in two to three ft-lb increments until you get to 8 ft-lb, then go one or two more times over all bolts. You will never have a leak.

Finally, don't use the drain plug gasket that...

• Deleted member 89374

 

[nwjones18]

I just finished using the ZF fluid and a Dorman pan on my truck and no leaks so far.. I sort of wish I'd sprung for the PPE pan, but everything seems to be fine so far.. One of the magnets was broken on the Dorman pan so I reused one from the OE pan. Also make sure you torque the drain plug on the pan before installing.. Mine was quite loose.

https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Chrysler-Dodge-Automatic-Transmission/dp/B07V46QTWM

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-265-8...ce-8c90-30cd59f99dad&pd_rd_i=B00JBCFTDG&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/PPE-Heavy-Du...sprefix=ppe+zf+pan,automotive,294&sr=1-4&th=1

 

[D60]

8 speed? can't use atf +4. A great fluid is valvoline EP atf. Maxilfe should work but I'd rather spend the extra on the better EP atf instead.

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-...99&gPromoCode=READY4SUN&gStoreCode=6099&gQT=2

This.

It's readily available, relatively affordable. Don't make it complicated.

 

[ruSSrt]

OE pan might be the best way to go. A replaceable filter is a great feature, but not if it doesn't fit correctly.
Someone posted that they used a pan from a BMW dealership. They use or used the same transmission on one of their models.

One more bit of info:

A friend has the same vehicle as you.
I priced out a pan from the dealership and the correct Mopar 8-9 speed fluid as well as Lifeguard 8.
It came to ~$330.
He decided to go to a trannie shop to have it done.
He paid ~$840 for the service.

I think I checked once with local ship and they said it will be around $600+ depending on the parts.