Lifetime warranty - so should I change ATF?

[HawkeyeScott]

We bought the wife's 2007 Pacifica 2 days after Chrysler announced lifetime warranties for its engines, transmissions, etc. So, at least in theory, if I follow all the rules and something happens to those components, they will be fixed under warranty.

So...with 51K on the car, I'm wondering if I should soon think of changing the transmission fluid (ATF+4). Nothing in the manual states that it's necessary yet (or necessary EVER under "normal" driving conditions). But as a BITOGer, it's in my nature to want to change fluid that is coming up on 4 years old.

So, should I change it in an effort to keep the transmission in tip-top shape, in hopes of never needing to use the warranty? Or, should I just do as the manual says and leave it in TFN?

I'm happy to sit on the $130 or so a flush will cost me. But it pains me to leave ATF fluid in much over 60K miles.

I'm anxious to see what you think.

 

[opus1]

I had this sort of conversation with the service advisor at the Chevy dealer when I took my Malibu in for some work. They recommended a transmission fluid change, and in the olden days, the car was just about the right mileage to call for one, but the Malibu supposedly had "lifetime" transmission fluid. When I asked about that he said, "well, it's your choice, but you'll get a longer lifetime out of the unit if you change the fluid now and then."

I went ahead and had them do it. Cheap insurance, and as we know, nothing really lasts forever.

 

[hate2work]

I don't believe in lifetime AT fluids. If this were my rig, I'd flush all the old out and replace with Amsoil ATF. You can buy 2.5 gals of it for about $100, and save the labor costs by DIY. Or just pay someone to do it, either way you end up with a superior product in your transmission.

 

[meep]

my cherokee has the lifetime warranty. I suspect that if i ever need it, the dealer will wiggle and do whatever they can to get out of it. as such, I'm going to take care of the vehicle with good maintenance to reduce chance of breakdowns just in case.

 

[unixguru]

I think you should totally do it. 50k miles is the max I'd be willing to go on any transmission fluid regardless if it's synthetic or conventional. I personally like to change it no more than 40k (or 3 years) miles in my Pontiac. Other cars which have easy drain-fill plug normally have smaller sumps and refill capacities (refill varies between 3-5 quarts) like Honda, Toyota, should probably be changed between 25k to 30k miles or 3 years unless your mileage is mostly highway.

 

[Kestas]

How long do you plan on keeping the Pacifica? It's a good bet the transmission will last through warranty. What you want to do, is protect the transmission from degrading prematurely. Regular and timely fluid changes will help tremendously. Ignore the warranty.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
How long do you plan on keeping the Pacifica?

This brings up another question: does the warranty apply only to the original owner? If so, maintenance might help the vehicle's resale value.

 

[Steve S]

If you are planning to keep the car the transmission fluid [and filter] should have been changed at 30,000 miles, then possibly extended.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Yes, the warranty only applies to my wife and I. Once we sell it, all bets are off.

Yes, we plan on keeping it a long time. Too expensive not too.

Steve S. - why at 30K? That's far sooner than the manual calls for, even under severe driving? I love maintaining a car, but 30K seems like jumping the gun, especially on a car with a lifetime transmission warranty.

 

[John_K]

I think maintenance is the same regardless of warranty, i.e., change it.

John

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: HawkeyeScott
Yes, the warranty only applies to my wife and I. Once we sell it, all bets are off.

Yes, we plan on keeping it a long time. Too expensive not too.

Steve S. - why at 30K? That's far sooner than the manual calls for, even under severe driving? I love maintaining a car, but 30K seems like jumping the gun, especially on a car with a lifetime transmission warranty.
The most dirt and metal shedding will occur during break in of the unit ,the same goes with differentials and engines . There have been SAE testing and articles in the trade magazines I read at work. I am not making the subject up or read some ones internet post.

 

[VNTS]

You should also look into the the t-case fluid and the rear diff if you have the AWD.

And as mentioned changing the fluids early in life in the drivetrain flushes all the break in metals out.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: HawkeyeScott
Yes, the warranty only applies to my wife and I. Once we sell it, all bets are off.

Yes, we plan on keeping it a long time. Too expensive not too.

Steve S. - why at 30K? That's far sooner than the manual calls for, even under severe driving? I love maintaining a car, but 30K seems like jumping the gun, especially on a car with a lifetime transmission warranty.


I would read the terms and conditions of this "lifetime" warranty of yours. You mention the manual has severe and normal driving conditions, are you 100% positive that you qualify for normal service? Usually these types of warranties will default to severe service, and you may end up with no warranty at all.

If it was up to me, I would change it every 30-50k, don't rely on a piece of paper that probably a 100 lawyers wrote and allowed all sorts of escape routes for Chrysler.

 

[caravanmike]

change it with atf+4. early and often. atf+4 will not have a negative effect on the lifetime warranty. mike

 

[VicL]

Warranty will not be honored if you don't do the usual maitenance. Your interpretation of the maintenance schedule might be suject to debate once the warranty department decides if a transmission failure is due to defective parts or poor maintenance. I'd get the fluid replaced to insure you are keeping up with your obligations under the warranty.

Vic

 

[kb01]

I'm in the same boat with my Jeep Compass. I have the Lifetime Warranty and the manual doesn't mention changing the CVT fluid until 120,000 miles.

I have about 70,000 miles on it (all highway). I called around regarding the cost to change the fluid -- I couldn't find a single independent shop willing to give me a quote. The cost to have a dealership change the fluid is prohibitively expensive due to the price of fluid and two of the dealers recommended just waiting until the scheduled interval.

 

[mechtech2]

Hawkeye - I'd change it, for sure.
Because it sounds like you are keeping the vehicle a long time.

And depending on where you drive it, an aftermarket transmission cooler for $50 [plus installation] should be considered.
Why? Because chemical reactions double in speed for every 18 deg F rise in temperature. Any components that are affected by temperature in the ATF will last twice as long [or more].

 

[RF Overlord]

^^^I agree with them^^^ Change it...

While changing the fluid early may do nothing, changing it too late has obvious ramifications. Even if FIAT fixes your Pacifica's transmission for free, what about the ancillary costs in time and frustration on your end? What if it takes them 2 weeks to get the parts and do the work? Do you get a loaner? Etc...

 

[Eddie]

Does it say"Life Time" or does it say to inspect at specific intervals? A big difference if you are to inspect and change id discolored or whatever.

 

[unDummy]

You probably got stuck in traffic once, maybe drove down a dirt driveway, drove on a heatwave of a day, drove in snow, made a short trip......

Whats the SEVERE service interval recommend for ATF maintenance, if it has one?

I have yet to meet someone that meets the 'normal' driving scenario.

Flush your transmission and change all the other fluids using a common sense interval that you can afford.