Best Value/Performance ATF for Chrysler van??

[doitmyself]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It would be great to have a real world trial of a non-recommended fluid use in a Caravan.

I say to try one of your (Kaboomba's) preferred fluids and report back to us regarding its performance over the next year or two.

If the transmission fails, then we will have proof regarding the use of non specified fluids in Chrysler transmissions.

 

[Kaboomba]

I would love to do an experiment with Amsoil ATF in that van. The Amsoil ATL has performed admirably in my ol Buick.

BUT

The van does not belong to me

Amsoil ATF is expensive ($10/qt versus $4/qt)

Something like Valvoline ATF+4 seems to be the lowest risk option, and is a good value, too, so I'll plan on going that route.

Thanks, everybody, for all the fantastic input!! Lots learned!

 

[RageOfFury]

You should only use a licensed ATF+4 fluid. Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep transmissions are very picky.

 

[nuskool]

Amsoil is the only one I know of that backs their product with a guarantee. If it fails due to the fluid they will pay to fix it.

Look up the "million mile van" The It's 2000 Chevy using Amsoil since day one, changing every 150,000 miles and is now over 1 million miles without a rebuild. All documented by the dealer that does the changes.

I know that's not apples to apples, you know, Chevy vs. dodge, but still.

And with that much fluid it would pay for you to become a preferred customer with Amsoil and it would be under $8.00 qt.

I an Amsoil dealer so I am biased, but I'm a dealer because I have yet to meet an Amsoil customer that has had issues.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Howdy all!

I will be doing a transmission flush on a friend's 2002 Chrysler Town&Country with 96K miles of fully-loaded road trips (more on the horizon).

I plan to install a Magnefine Is Amsoil or Redline far more durable in this application as it is in others?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I installed Redline C+ and a magnafine inline filter along with a transmission cooler on my Town and Country. I am convinced this is the ticket. I would run the inline filter for 30K, then replace it and pull a ATF sample for UOA...I am truly convinced it would come back good to go for another 30K.this ATF works just wonderful.

 

[keith]

I tried Amsoil in my 1990 Dodge minivan. The transmission slipped a lot and I drained it all out. Amsoil told me my transmission must be bad. That was when I had near 50K miles on the van, and I traded it last year with about 210K miles, first on ATF+3 and then ATF+4 when 3rd party oil came out (I think Valvoline was the first?). Later I used the Walmart SuperTech stuff, no problems. The transmission worked perfect at 210K miles. It did have an extra cooler and filter added as a precaution, because the rep on those earlier 4 speeds was very bad.

Don't even think of using anything but ATF+4 on those Chryslers.

 

[wgtoys]

Stick with a licensed ATF+4 like others have said.

 

[Boss302fan]

Maxlife works great for me...

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: keith

I tried Amsoil in my 1990 Dodge minivan. The transmission slipped a lot and I drained it all out. Amsoil told me my transmission must be bad. That was when I had near 50K miles on the van, and I traded it last year with about 210K miles, first on ATF+3 and then ATF+4 when 3rd party oil came out (I think Valvoline was the first?). Later I used the Walmart SuperTech stuff, no problems. The transmission worked perfect at 210K miles. It did have an extra cooler and filter added as a precaution, because the rep on those earlier 4 speeds was very bad.

Don't even think of using anything but ATF+4 on those Chryslers.


Huh that's odd it slipped.... I wonder if the trans computer needed to be updated or do a re-learn. When I put a rebuilt trans in my Dad's 91 Dodge Caravan the company had a relearn procedure to do or they would not warranty the trans. I ran the Amsoil to 85K with a magnifine and it shifted like butter. When I changed the fluid it still had a deep cherry red and the pan and magnifine were spotless.
The van I would say ran between normal and severe on the use.
I use nothing but Amsoil.

 

[Kaboomba]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Maxlife works great for me...


For ATF+4 in a Chrysler van, what's the difference/advantage of MaxLife versus the full-syn blue bottle (Valvoline)??

 

[charbaby]

I often see Castrol ATF's on sale at AAP and PB's. Castrol makes/bottles...Import Multi-Vehicle ATF, Domestic Multi Vehicle ATF, MerconV ATF, DexronVI ATF and ATF+4, maybe others ATF's too such as the older DexronIII/Mercon and TypeF, IDK! Often on sale it's less expensive than the cheaper brands like W*M ST.

I've been using the IMV-ATF in 3 Asian vehicles...Lexus, Mazda & Nissan...SoFarSoGood!

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Maxlife works great for me...


For ATF+4 in a Chrysler van, what's the difference/advantage of MaxLife versus the full-syn blue bottle (Valvoline)??


Maxlife is NOT a licensed ATF+4. The Valvoline ATF+4 in the blue bottle is.

 

[keith]

I did the relearn procedure. The transmission slipped like crazy until I put ATF+3 back in. If Amsoil Universal works for your application, awesome. It doesn't work for every vehicle.

I also tried Amsoil in a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. Wasn't entirely happy with the quality of the shifts but I wasn't in a rush to flush it out. My brother-in-law borrowed the car, he's a mechanic, and he noticed the poor shifts straight away and he asked me if I knew the transmission was failing. So I went to the Hyundai dealer and got the correct fluid and put that in. Shifts great again now. I've had no luck at all with Amsoil Universal. Chrysler and Hyundai are both known to be picky on fluid type.

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Huh that's odd it slipped.... I wonder if the trans computer needed to be updated or do a re-learn.... I ran the Amsoil to 85K with a magnifine and it shifted like butter.