Kendall "versatrans" in Jeep 45rfe?

[MolaKule]

I would ask him to show you where the ATF+4 spec is covered in the Kendall stuff, and then ask him to change to ATF+4 at his expense.

 

[Slick17601]

If that was mine I would demand the change it again with the proper Mopar ATF +4.

 

[gobycat]

I called Kendall's tech line and they said the Versatrans covers ATF+4 applications, including the 45rfe, but I'm still thinking about a flush/refill with ATF+4.

 

[gobycat]

Just took my 2001 Grand Cherokee 4.7 (45rfe trans) in for 90,000 mi. service (diffs, TC, tranny, etc,). Dealer always used Mopar ATF+4 in past, but now uses Kendall "Versatrans" all-purpose synthetic fluid. Wish they had told me this beforehand. Until now I had always been happy with service dept at this particular dealer. Should I have it flushed out at another shop and replaced with ATF+4?

"Kendall VersaTrans™ Synthetic Blend ATF is a premium quality
transmission fluid designed for use in automatic transmissions
in most domestic and import passenger cars and light trucks.
It has carefully balanced frictional properties for smooth
shifting and excellent anti-shudder performance in a wide
variety of vehicles. It has excellent shear stability and oxidation
resistance for long service life, provides excellent wear
protection, and helps protect against sludge and varnish
buildup. The part-synthetic formulation provides better
thermal stability at high temperatures and better lowtemperature
properties than conventional all-mineral automatic
transmission fluids.
VersaTrans™ Synthetic Blend ATF is fully approved for
service fill in vehicles where a Ford MERCON®V, Ford
MERCON®, GM DEXRON®-III or Allison C-4 fluid is specified.
It was designed and thoroughly field tested for many other
applications including Chrysler vehicles and most European
and Japanese vehicles.
Applications
VersaTrans™ Synthetic Blend ATF is recommended for service
fill in all domestic and import vehicles where DEXRON®-III,
MERCON®V or MERCON® fluids are specified. It also meets
the performance requirements for Allison C-4, Caterpillar
TO-2, Voith DIWA transmissions and ZF Ecomat transmissions.
It is recommended for use in most Chrysler, Acura, BMW,
Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan,
Saturn, Toyota and VW vehicles. It also may be used in
industrial and mobile hydraulic systems operating over a wide
temperature range.
VersaTrans™ Synthetic Blend ATF is not recommended
for vehicles with continuously variable transmissions (CVT),
6-speed transmissions or vehicles requiring a Ford Type F or
MERCON® SP fluid.
VersaTrans™ ATF
600 N. Dairy Ashford • 2W9000 • Houston, TX 77079
www.kendallmotoroil.com
Customer Service
Number:
1-800-368-7128
Technical
Hot line:
1-800-368-1267
E-mail address:
kendallmotoroil@
conocophillips.com
Synthetic Blend
Multi-Vehicle
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Due to continual product research and development, the information contained herein
is subject to change without notification.
03/05
© 2005 ConocoPhillips Company. Kendall and the Kendall logo are trademarks of ConocoPhillips
Company or one of its subsidiaries.
CSB-04 3019756
VersaTrans™ Synthetic Blend ATF meets or exceeds the requirements of:
• Allison C-4
• Caterpillar TO-2 (obsolete)
• Chrysler ATF Specifications
• Denison HF-0
• Ford MERCON®V, MERCON®
• GM DEXRON®-III (Approved for H Specification), DEXRON®-II
• Sundstrand Hydrostatic Transmissions
• Vickers M-2950-S and I-286-S
• Voith DIWA Transmissions
• ZF Ecomat Transmissions
Note: For questions about a specific application, please call our Technical Hot line.
Outstanding Features
• Optimum frictional properties for smooth shifting and excellent
anti-shudder performance
• Outstanding thermal stability and oxidation resistance for long fluid life
• Outstanding low-temperature fluidity
• Excellent wear protection
• Minimizes sludge and varnish deposits
• Excellent rust and corrosion protection
• Good seal compatibility
• Thoroughly field tested in a wide range of automatic transmissions
Due to continual product research and development, the information contained herein
is subject to change without notification.
03/05
© 2005 ConocoPhillips Company. Kendall and the Kendall logo are trademarks of ConocoPhillips
Company or one of its subsidiaries.
CSB-04 3019756
VersaTrans™ ATF
Typical Properties
Density, g/cm3 @ 15.6ºC (60ºF) 0.858
Color, Visual Red
Flash Point (COC), ºC (ºF) 202 (396)
Pour Point, ºC (ºF) -45 (-49)
Viscosity,
cP @ -20ºC (Brookfield) 900
cP @ -30ºC (Brookfield) 2,600
cP @ -40ºC (Brookfield) 8,600
cSt @ 40ºC 35.0
cSt @ 100ºC 7.4
SUS @ 100ºF 177
SUS @ 210ºF 50.9
Viscosity Index 185
Zinc, wt % <0.002

 

[Chris 2421]

Have the dealer put in writing that they used the Kendall instead of the ATF+4,and ask Kendall to send you something on company letter head that they say it's OK to use it in your trans.

 

[gobycat]

My service invoice actually says "Dexron/Mercon"; when I brought this to the service manager's attention, he started explaining the whole Versatrans nonsense. It may very well be a good product, but I'll pass. I can't trust this particular dealer anymore; they effed up the differential service, too (used 75W90 instead of 75W140 in the rear; I made them redo that). I made an appointment at another dealer for a flush and ATF+4 refill. The old dealer just lost my business (I have three Jeeps), and their sales department won't be selling me a HEMI anytime soon, either...

 

[Greaser]

gobycat..ever try doing these procedures yourself... if you want something done right..

 

[gobycat]

I service the diffs, TC, tranny fluid, etc. on my 89 MJ and my 94 ZJ, but I have been letting the dealer service the 45rfe on the 01 WJ since new because it's a bit more sophisticated (fear of the unknown). I'll certainly be doing the diffs on the WJ myself in the future, but I'm leery of messing with the 45rfe myself.

 

[GT Mike]

The 45RFE is no different than any tranny in regards to ATF drain/refill except for the fact that it has two filters inside the pan. Do them both. One is the standard-looking filter on the bottom of the valve body, and the other one is a small spin-on filter up near where the cooler lines attatch. Lots of 45RFE trannies used a reuseable gasket, but some used Mopar ATF RTV in place of a gasket. I've done them both ways, and neither one leaked. I've actually been leaning towards using RTV instead of a gasket just due to the fact that there's less risk of over-torquing something and splitting/crushing a gasket. Mopar ATF RTV applied in a 1/8" continuous bead and allowed to set up for about 10 minutes prior to installation will make for a perfect leak-free seal every time. I'm very happy with this method.

Edit: Couple more things...The ATF level should be checked in neutral, rather than park. Also, it's common for the ATF+4 to expand more than what's considered "normal", so checking the ATF cold will sometimes show a very low (or no) reading on the dipstick. Make sure you don't overfill it. Keep the level low on the stick when initially filling it, then go out and road test it for a while, and check it again when hot. Then and only then, top off to the "full hot" mark on the stick.

 

[GT Mike]

Edit: Whoops! I'm computer-dumb sometimes.

 

[unDummy]

If the trans is functioning normally, don't worry about the multivehicle ATF.

But, IMO, a dealer should always use OEM fluids.