Change ATF at 60,000 miles?

[Dave Sherman]

The Ram's owner's manual does not have an ATF change interval. Asked the dealer what their price was while it was in for an ABS recall, and they actually tried to talk me out of it. Makes sense, he quoted me $1200 to change it . Lots of Youtubes on how to DIY, although the kit from Blauparts is still about $300 for the fluid and the filter/pan combination. Doesn't look too awful, aside from having to raise the rear end to get it level, and the detailed fill procedure. Anyway, coming up 60,000, and it's due for differential and transfer case change. So, change the ATF now too?

 

[JavierH19]

Might as well since you're doing the rest. No way I'd pay 1200 for an atf change unless it was on something worth over a quarter million but even then I'd be tempted to diy.

 

[The Critic]

Doesn't look too awful, aside from having to raise the rear end to get it level, and the detailed fill procedure.

That’s news to me.

https://5thgenrams.com/community/th...ission-fluid-level-checking.52166/post-750528

 

[cptbarkey]

We dont know anything on your technical ability, you need to decide that. Cost is also your problem. You decide.

Should you do it at 60k? From my understanding those ZF transmissions are extremely durable and there have been few reported failures. You could probably wait till 80k then go for it.

 

[BornSlippy]

ZF recommends changing the ATF at 100K KM or 60K miles.

 

[JTK]

I believe if you talk to ZF, they'll suggest a pan and fluid change at 60K miles. I've heard of some Ram dealers offering fluid exchanges on the ZF8s for no more cost than any other make/model. Then you run into the ones like you describe, where they just basically consider it "lifetime" ATF, or give you a ridiculous price.

I only owned my 2017 and 2019 Ram 1500s to 60-70K miles, so I never did get around to doing even a spill and fill on them.

My brother who's owned his 2019 Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4, pentastar since new, did a single drain/fill with Maxlife ATF on his a year or two ago. He's got about 80-85K miles on it now I believe, so he must have been around 60K when he did that. He did mention that the fluid he drained out didn't look too bad. He intends to do another and swap the pan on the next go around.

 

[dubber09]

Interesting thing is there are many people here who advocate early oil change on a brand new vehicle, not so many to recommend early ATF change. I did early full ATF volume replacements on my Kias, fluids were dirty, gritty at 20k miles. Now ATF looks nice and clean while does discolor a bit between 30k miles drain and fills. Same with rear diff and transfer case in Sportage, first drains were a little nasty at 20k miles.

 

[JHZR2]

What kind of absurd transmission requires a $1200 fluid change?!?

My ML320 has one of these ridiculous stand tube, overfill, check at 40C setups. It’s nowhere near $1200 at MB prices. When I bought the fluid, filter, standpipe, and replaceable tty bolts, I think I’m in it for around $170.

 

[nwjones18]

I just changed mine at 70k. Its doable but not fun IMO. My post is here:

N

Thread 'Finally changed the ATF on my 2016 Ram 1500 ZF 8 speed'

May 25, 2025

Well after putting it off for 10 months I finally changed the ATF on my Ram. Know this has been widely discussed but figured I'd post my experiences with my particular truck. My drain plug was so close to the exhaust you couldn't even get in a 10mm hex bit to open it. I used my 12v pump to suck the atf out the fill hole and managed to get enough out that I didn't make a mess when I dropped the pan. I may just suck out the fluid at the next change and not drop the pan at all...

Removing the pan required me to jack up the rear of the trans about an inch for the pan to have enough clearance...

• nwjones18
• Replies: 10
• Forum: ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S

• 

Here's another recent post:

N

Post in thread '2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission fluid'

Jun 16, 2025

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...

• nwjones18

 

[JTK]

I just changed mine at 70k. Its doable but not fun IMO. My post is here:....

The pentastar powered 1500s are a breeze in comparison to the hemi powered. No cross-over pipe in the way of the pan drain plug. The exhaust pipes run down both sides and connect downstream of the transmission on the pentastars.

 

[edyvw]

ZF recommends at 60k.

 

[DirectRejection]

The Ram's owner's manual does not have an ATF change interval. Asked the dealer what their price was while it was in for an ABS recall, and they actually tried to talk me out of it. Makes sense, he quoted me $1200 to change it . Lots of Youtubes on how to DIY, although the kit from Blauparts is still about $300 for the fluid and the filter/pan combination. Doesn't look too awful, aside from having to raise the rear end to get it level, and the detailed fill procedure. Anyway, coming up 60,000, and it's due for differential and transfer case change. So, change the ATF now too?

Might as well since you're doing the rest. No way I'd pay 1200 for an atf change unless it was on something worth over a quarter million but even then I'd be tempted to diy.

Insanity. DIY. Do it ! Your Ram is worth keeping forever.

I just found a new DIY place in my town. The old one closed. Rent a service bay plus lift and tools, by the hour. There's a small disposal fee for used fluids.

Nice.

 

[f355spider]

Might as well since you're doing the rest. No way I'd pay 1200 for an atf change unless it was on something worth over a quarter million but even then I'd be tempted to diy.

Uh, on my Ferrari to change the fluid in the transaxle is only $300. Really. The oil change is more...like $600. For both it is mostly labor to remove all the aero undertrays and fasteners to get to the drain (dry sump) and fill plugs. And the specified Shell fluids are a little more expensive.

 

[Hall]

ZF recommends changing the ATF at 100K KM or 60K miles.

In the dealer's defense, they are almost certainly following what Chrysler recommends though.

 

[4WD]

Interesting thing is there are many people here who advocate early oil change on a brand new vehicle, not so many to recommend early ATF change. I did early full ATF volume replacements on my Kias, fluids were dirty, gritty at 20k miles. Now ATF looks nice and clean while does discolor a bit between 30k miles drain and fills. Same with rear diff and transfer case in Sportage, first drains were a little nasty at 20k miles.

I do both - magnets can’t keep working when covered - clutch material is not magnetic … Just really miss the dipstick and tube like my 2017 has …

 

[GSCJR]

he quoted me $1200 to change it

They really don't want to do it, they're busy, but if you're willing to cough up $1200, they'll make time for you.

 

[BornSlippy]

In the dealer's defense, they are almost certainly following what Chrysler recommends though.

Of course. I'd rather follow what the people who built the trans recommend.

 

[NiwradND]

I know many that ran over 200,000 miles without a fluid/ filter change, I believe that the route I'm going with on my 2020 Grand Cherokee which has 80,000 on now.

 

[MalibuRam65]

I know many that ran over 200,000 miles without a fluid/ filter change, I believe that the route I'm going with on my 2020 Grand Cherokee which has 80,000 on now.

Yeah the ZF fluid is pretty Robust so a lot of people are taking to the lifetime fluid . Many BMW owners here in NYC are driving around sitting in stop and go traffic with well over 100k on there original ZF fluid .

 

[BHopkins]

When I was looking at a transmission service kit for the ZF8 in my BMW X5, i saw that the ZF Lifeguard 8 ATF isn't all that expensive, so I am planning on staying with it. But there are a lot of ZF8 fluids out there. Pentosin, Liquid Moly, Ravenol, Fuchs, all offer ZF8 transmission fluids. If price is a concern, Fuchs tends to be a price leader, and it is a Pentosin brand. I've had good luck with Fuchs transmission fluid in the past.