ATF+4: What is a "normal" service interval for it?

[dnastrau]

Greetings:

Just some background: I have a '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L with the 42RE transmission and 170K on the clock. The current fluid in there is ATF+4 with about 35K miles on it. I did a filter change and band adjustment at that time and bumped up the line pressure adjustment a bit based on many recommendations that I have read. The transmission shifts great - nice and firm. The truck has a Long Tru-Cool external stacked-plate cooler that I also installed at the same time. Driving is 70% highway/30% city. The climate is typical NE Pennsylvania. Lowest winter temps are around 0F and highest summer temps are probably 90-95F but normally in the mid 80s. The truck is not wheeled and it has only been used to tow briefly a couple of times.

Any thoughts on how often this fluid should be changed? From looking at it on the stick it looks pretty much like it did 35K miles ago. Would 50K be safe?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Andrew S.

 

[beast3300]

You should be good for 50k. ATF 4 is a large improvement over ATF 3. Many newer Chryslers with ATF 4 recommend 48k intervals.

That transmission is very durable, I think you will be fine.

 

[Nick_Escalante]

My '93 Intrepid owners manual states:

non-severe duty ; no service needed.. ( lmao at that line when there is a transmission dipstick? ) And Chrysler wonders why it has the bad reputation concerning transmissions.

sever duty ; 30,000 miles fluid / filter

I change my fluid / filter, clean pan every 30k miles. 120k, runs smooth.

 

[dnastrau]

Thanks beast3300... 50K is roughly what I was thinking as well but wanted to see what others thought who have more experience than I do with these matters. I figured that the 25K interval from the old days was overkill for normal use on ATF+4.

 

[Panzerman]

I changed mine the first time at 25,000, fluid and filters, but I am going to let the next go for 50,000 to the 75,000 mark, and I do alot of towing. I would go by the condition of it, color and odor.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

On my 2000 GC I let it go until about 73K and it was starting to shift odd sometimes. Changed it and cleared up the issue. Now I change all the vans at 30-35K. Two of the 3 are over 200K now and all run great.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Well, if the old transmission fluid had a lot of miles on it, I;d prefer to not run the fresh fill too long. Maybe after 30k, refill it.

btw- I'm in NEPA too. PM me if you want.

 

[NHHEMI]

For your use 50K should be fine. IF you towed or off roaded than 30K.

 

[dnastrau]

I think I will change it late in the summer which will put it at about 42-45K on that fill. Since it looks great and the miles are easy I am comfortable with that. Thanks for the responses!