I'm confused about what I should do for ATF...

[SteveD2]

The '96 cherokee I just bought has 195,000 miles on it. The AW4 tranny is know to last a very long time, but 200k IS a very long time.

I know it has had regular maintainence, and I think it might have synthetic fluid, but I'm not sure. What am I suppost to do? I want to change the tranny fluid, but draining the pan will only change ~1/3 of it. How do I know what to put back in?

 

[TheTanSedan]

SCHAEFFERS SUPREME #204S Dexron-Mercon III.

Service pan and pan filter, and, if you intend to keep vehicle, add a stack-plate auxiliary cooler after the in-radiator cooler. Add a MAGNEFINE auxiliary filter after the aux cooler. Use very best quality hose and stainless-steel worm drive clamps (NAPA).

This is what I did last summer on our 2001 Cherokee (I-6 242, AW-4). Fluid had been replaced annually (twice; by dealer who irritatingly -- versus my instructions -- only dropped pan and replaced make-up amount). Ran 6-ozs ARX previous few thousand miles to change.

I've also posted on JEEPS Unlimited under "SuzysJ"; do a search there for my thread on "towing" for more info.

Bought above fluid -- 12 quarts -- and, after buttoning all back up, left line before filter open, started car and ran till fluid quit being pumped out (only a few minutes, a quart or three).
Added fresh at dipstick, ran all through to be certain of fluid. Reconnected, drove around a few minutes, adjusted fluid level. Drove for a day or two and adjusted fluid level.

Do a search on trans fluid changes and Schaeffers #204s.

You can also search here to see the experiences I've had in analysis (and other) on this board in regards this Jeep.

[ January 06, 2004, 03:18 PM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]

 

[Ray H]

"Mercon III"?

 

[SteveD2]

I should mention that I don't want to use synthetic, unless I know that that's what it has now. Whether I use synthetic or dino, how should I do it? I mean, if I'm only taking 4 quarts out of 12, and replace it with something different, isn't that going to be really bad? I do plan on installing a cooler and inline filter...

 

[White 03]

I think so long as you use the same type, meaning Mercon or whatever is recommended both dino and synthetic are compatiable. The Moble 1 I use says it is compatiable with any coventional ATF fluids. They both have to pass the same tests.

When I changed my trans to syn I flushed it just to get the benifit of the new oil but I am not worried about mixing the same spec. oils.

I pulled the return line and flushed the cooler after draining the pan and the converter.

 

[highmiles]

I would suggest a call or visit to your local Jeep dealer to find out for sure what type of ATF is called for. I am thinking it may be ATF+III. Now replaced by ATF+IV. I know the newer Jeeps use this, now being a Chrysler product. If you have the owners manual it will probably only give you a spec# but it wouldn't hurt to look. Let us know what type it calls for, I am curious as I suppose others are. Good luck with your newly purchased Jeep.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

Either:
flush it
or
Drain and drive 100 or 1000 miles and drain again
and repeat several times
or
glue a bucket lid with two holes in it
run one with a hose to DRAIN the tranny
the other Suction, glue them tooo... start the car, have someone in the car (think safty) and with the car running do your own flush by pouring in fresh fluid and sucking out afer every few minutes --- you can do what you like, 1 gal or 2 gal or hey 3 or 4 gal

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

---

Originally posted by highmiles:
I would suggest a call or visit to your local Jeep dealer to find out for sure what type of ATF is called for. I am thinking it may be ATF+III. Now replaced by ATF+IV. I know the newer Jeeps use this, now being a Chrysler product. If you have the owners manual it will probably only give you a spec# but it wouldn't hurt to look. Let us know what type it calls for, I am curious as I suppose others are. Good luck with your newly purchased Jeep.

---

It's Dextron III, even though some dealers will tell you (and even use) ATF+3. That is in fact the WRONG fluid, as this is exactly the same tranny that they've been using since 1987.

 

[satterfi]

If you knew the answer, then why ask?

Maybe I don't get it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZmOz:

quote:

---

Originally posted by highmiles:
I would suggest a call or visit to your local Jeep dealer to find out for sure what type of ATF is called for. I am thinking it may be ATF+III. Now replaced by ATF+IV. I know the newer Jeeps use this, now being a Chrysler product. If you have the owners manual it will probably only give you a spec# but it wouldn't hurt to look. Let us know what type it calls for, I am curious as I suppose others are. Good luck with your newly purchased Jeep.

---

It's Dextron III, even though some dealers will tell you (and even use) ATF+3. That is in fact the WRONG fluid, as this is exactly the same tranny that they've been using since 1987.

---

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

---

Originally posted by satterfi:
If you knew the answer, then why ask?

Maybe I don't get it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZmOz:

quote:

---

Originally posted by highmiles:
I would suggest a call or visit to your local Jeep dealer to find out for sure what type of ATF is called for. I am thinking it may be ATF+III. Now replaced by ATF+IV. I know the newer Jeeps use this, now being a Chrysler product. If you have the owners manual it will probably only give you a spec# but it wouldn't hurt to look. Let us know what type it calls for, I am curious as I suppose others are. Good luck with your newly purchased Jeep.

---

It's Dextron III, even though some dealers will tell you (and even use) ATF+3. That is in fact the WRONG fluid, as this is exactly the same tranny that they've been using since 1987.

---

---

I wasn't asking why type of fluid...but whether it should be synthetic or dino and what happens if you mix the two.

 

[MNgopher]

As you said, the AW4 in the Cherokee gets a Mercon/Dexron fluid, NOT ATF+3 or ATF+4. Amazing how many Jeep dealers still can't figure that one out. The AW4 was used in the Cherokee from 1987 to 2001, and was the "oddball" tranny in the Chrysler lineup after they took over.

Honestly, this tranny is nearly bulletproof, like you said. Regular dino ATF will work fine if regularly serviced (and more than likely even if it isn't!). Unless you have some heavier towing or other heavy duty use, there really isn't a big need for a heavier duty fluid, unless it makes you sleep better!

 

[gerhardb]

quote:

---

Originally posted by highmiles:
I would suggest a call or visit to your local Jeep dealer to find out for sure what type of ATF is called for. I am thinking it may be ATF+III. Now replaced by ATF+IV. I know the newer Jeeps use this, now being a Chrysler product. If you have the owners manual it will probably only give you a spec# but it wouldn't hurt to look. Let us know what type it calls for, I am curious as I suppose others are. Good luck with your newly purchased Jeep.

---

I know that my 98 ZJ Jeep used ATF+3 originally. I thing the Mopar ATF +4 is now either synthetic or semi-synthetic.

I'm sure using either is fine.

 

[KW]

It should use Dextron III and the syn's and dyno stuff will mix just fine.

 

[MNgopher]

The ZJ (save for a few early 93's, I believe, have Chrysler Transmissions in them, thus they use the ATF+3.

The XJ (Cherokee) NEVER used a Chrysler Auto tranny behind the 4.0l - the thing was designed and being made well before Chrysler ever owned the Jeep name. (XJ's began production in the 1984 model year, with the 4.0l and AW4 auto tranny coming on line in the 1987 model year. Chrysler purchased AMC/Jeep in late '87/early '88, and basically didn't touch a thing on the Cherokee until 1991.)

If you own a Cherokee with the 4.0l and the AW4 auto tranny, you use a Dexron/Mercon Fluid, period. Synthetic or Dino, either will work fine and the AW4 will last a LONG time.

 

[MNgopher]

The ZJ (save for a few early 93's, I believe, have Chrysler Transmissions in them, thus they use the ATF+3.

The XJ (Cherokee) NEVER used a Chrysler Auto tranny behind the 4.0l - the thing was designed and being made well before Chrysler ever owned the Jeep name. (XJ's began production in the 1984 model year, with the 4.0l and AW4 auto tranny coming on line in the 1987 model year. Chrysler purchased AMC/Jeep in late '87/early '88, and basically didn't touch a thing on the Cherokee until 1991.)

If you own a Cherokee with the 4.0l and the AW4 auto tranny, you use a Dexron/Mercon Fluid, period. Synthetic or Dino, either will work fine and the AW4 will last a LONG time.