Become my own ATF+4 blender?

[rk1407]

I have a friend with a 1998 Jeep GC and we need to do a full pan drop/cooler line flush.

It holds 12.4 quarts of ATF+4 which is at least $5/quart anywhere I have seen it. This would be about $85 with an extra quart for the flush and one for the trunk (small leak) with tax.

Here is my idea to do this on a budget and have some left over for the next job.

I could buy this:

The Peak 5 gallon bucket of Dex/Merc (Part No. PLT005/19509) is on sale now for $50 w/tax or $2.50/qt at Advance Auto.

The 32 oz Lubegard Platinum Universal ATF Protectant (part #63032) from Amazon with free shipping for $27.51.

Flush the trans and then add in 12 oz. of Lubegard while the car is running (1 oz. for every quart)

With this deal I would have enough Dex/Merc base and enough Lubegard to do another complete flush in the future for the same price as buying 14 quarts of ATF+4 off the shelf.

Comments/thoughts from the Jedi Council?


Links to everything below...

http://lubegard.com/SearchByCategory.asp...ATF+Protectant#

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/...150027-P_N3291A

http://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-63032-Platinum-Universal-Protectant/dp/B000F2EPGI

 

[DoubleWasp]

I am a firm believer in LG products as much as anyone, but you'll never catch me putting the wrong trans fluid in my trans and reinforcing it with LG. That's just my own opinion on the matter.

 

[The Critic]

That's like using margarine in your pound cake...

 

[tommygunn]

The single biggest disaster plaguing alot of Chrysler transmissions is the use of the wrong fluid, shortly followed by using a fluid with a "booster".

LubeGard might work for some people but time and time again...use the right fluid..."make Dex everything" additives are for shady mechanics looking to make their life easier and they're a double edged sword...

Try it if you like but your results are your own.

 

[strongt]

Whats more expensive, $85 dollars in the proper fluid or a new or rebuilt trans ? Sounds a little "Penny-wise, Pound-Foolish" to me.

 

[dishdude]

This is what Jiffy Lube does. They use Dex III in everything and add an "ATF Converter". I'd spend the extra money and buy the right stuff.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
This is what Jiffy Lube does. They use Dex III in everything and add an "ATF Converter". I'd spend the extra money and buy the right stuff.

The quick lubes I have been to have only used multi-vehicle ATFs...

 

[ac_tc]

while the tranny is an old hopped up toqueflite
and prolly would keep going on dex3 its still way of
the rec from the manufacturer and you are further compounding
this by pouring additives in it. Theres also no way that
this brew would be tha same as atf+4 since it has better base oil
than most atf´s.
-i wouldnt do this, id bite the bullet and get +4

 

[Astro14]

Is my arithmetic off here? You're talking about saving about $8...spending $50 on the bucket of fluid, and $27 on the LG costs you $77.

Vs. $85 for the ATF +4...

Sure, you've got the fluid for the next change, but you've only saved $8 today, and it's not worth the risk...who knows if you'll ever get that next flush (my friend's GC was totaled in a flood, for example)...

Spend the $8 extra now, use the right fluid

 

[rshaw125]

False economy. Buy your +4 from Walmart. Less than $4.50 a quart.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I concur with everyone else: buy the correct fluid.

 

[eljefino]

Get the +4 from advance. You should be able to use a 35 off 85 coupon on it.

 

[rk1407]

The one part I left out was the dipstick in the trans says you can use Dexron II or ATF+4. We have found the more Dexron II we use the harder it shifts.

So we are not really risking ruining the trans in my opinion but I hear ya when you are saying just get the ATF+4 fluid.

Usually the simple solution is the best solution so I think I will just pop for the ATF+4.

Thanks for feedback.

 

[DoubleWasp]

You are making the right decision. Chrysler didn't develop ATF+4 and spend the money to load all of these vehicles up with it for the giggles.

And yes, Jiffy Lube does like to reinforce DX3 with LG. When they went to do the trans flush on my uncle's Intrepid, that is what they were going to do. I made them get ahold of ATF+4 and return the empty bottles to me when they were finished.. I compared the new fluid to what was left over in the bottles to further verify they had put in the ATF+4.

 

[wrcsixeight]

In 2001 I had my Tranny rebuilt by a nationwide chaain.

Less than 1 year later I started getting a bad case of torque converter clutch chatter.

Rebuilders kept claiming they could not notice any shuddering, and kept doing a "free" service which consisted of a pan drop filter change and more bulk fluid.

Each time the shuddering got worse.

Fast forward 6 months, and I find out about the finickyness of Chrysler trannies to the right fluid. I put in some lubegard red.

No difference.

I bite the bullett, goto Dodge dealer, have fluid exchanged with ATF +3.

Not a shudder in the last 80k miles. And now am filled with ATF +4.

My Dipstick also says dexron 2.

 

[440Magnum]

Use real ATF+4. It pays for itself in spades by preventing the TC clutch from tearing itself up. Its not that much more money, and by any measure - oxidation rate, viscosity stability, etc.- its one of the best AT fluids out there irrespective of the very important (to Chrysler trannies) friction modifier package. There's just no reason to use anything else.

 

[Texan4Life]

+1 use ATF+4

I use supertech atf+4. 4.something a qt and licensed by chrysler, ie meets specs.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
You are making the right decision. Chrysler didn't develop ATF+4 and spend the money to load all of these vehicles up with it for the giggles.

And yes, Jiffy Lube does like to reinforce DX3 with LG. When they went to do the trans flush on my uncle's Intrepid, that is what they were going to do. I made them get ahold of ATF+4 and return the empty bottles to me when they were finished.. I compared the new fluid to what was left over in the bottles to further verify they had put in the ATF+4.


Good advice, use ATF+4.

Chrysler trannys need the highly friction modified fluid that a "converter" fluid can never supply.

 

[Russ300H]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
False economy. Buy your +4 from Walmart. Less than $4.50 a quart.


Ditto: And I buy virtually nothing from Wally. ALL +4 has to meet Chrysler specs. Lubeguard will not bring the Dex/Merc up to +4 specs. If I read it right, it is a "compatible additive" to +4.

 

[Donald]

Does not make sense to me. I use Amsoil ATF in a 2001 as I want the best. You should like you want whatever is cheapest.