Sturg, welcome to the looney bin. I have experience with the BG process on my 2014 Jeep Patriot with Hyundai Powertec 6 speed tranny. My good friend is a MOPAR dealer mechanic and does it at reduced price. I had planned to DIY, but circumstances prevented me and now I just let him do it.
- $300 is about the average charge for complete exchange in my location. Less if you can find someone to partial drain/refill.
- Your owners manual probably states it is "lifetime fluid" or replace every 60,000 miles under "extreme" conditions.
- After market dipstick is available. Filter is non-serviceable. Not "sealed" - there is a drain plug as well as several other fill/measure plugs.
- The OEM fluid is synthetic SP4-M, about $15 -$20+ per quart. Lots of people seem to be doing ok with aftermarket "suitable for" products.
- In my area, all Jeep/Hyundai/Kia dealers use BG or Valvoline Max Life, even during warranty.
- BG does use a safe T-tec type exchange (not flush) machine.
- BG does install a pint of cleaner
before the the exchange process. I opt out of this.
- BG has two universal fluids (thick and thin) that are listed for SP4-M use.
https://bglsi.com/BGProducts_Oklahoma_Texas/images/315-application-chart-11-30-18.pdf
- BG offers a lifetime repair warranty if you use their service every 30,0000 miles and start before 50K miles (lesser warranty post 50K).
- Some people here think that BG products are good quality, probably as good or better than other aftermarket products.
One has to be VERY careful about buying into their sales/marketing/lifetime warranty schemes.
BITOG opinions about mile intervals change with the wind. I think most, not all, here would agree that it is good to change the fluid every 30 to 60 thousand miles. Maybe never if you intend to keep short term. Aftermarket vs. OEM fluid - there is no consensus. Total fluid exchange vs. partial drain/refills is VERY controversial at BITOG also. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
