The Mopar 8/9 speed fluid is junk.

[JeepJKU85]

Truck has 22.5k going on 3rd fluid and filter change. While the fluid looked clean each time while draining out of pan the bottom had quite of bit silverish tint with quite a bit of debris on magnets. Also noticed at times the downshift between 3rd and 2nd would be harsh.

Switched over to the Royal Purple Max ATF and noticed a dramatic improvement on shifting performance and 10 to 15 degrees cooler temps across the oil temp, coolant and transmission. No way I'd ever go back to that subpar overpriced brown green looking junk.

Many people hate Royal Purple but it's folks who have never used it or know the first thing about cars. I've gone to the Synchromax in the transfer case and its never shifted in 4WD easier and been quieter as well.

Run RP in everything except the crappy tree hugger electric power steering and the coolant.

 

[97prizm]

I use Royal Purple in my Mazda race car. It's great oil.

 

[Lubener]

The reason the fluid appeared clean because contaminants were not suspended in the fluid but collected in the pan.

 

[JoelB]

Seems more likely this is break in material and not an indicator of fluid quality. But I'm not a transmission expert.

 

[charbaby]

Indeed! Stick with what works for you.

 

[nwjones18]

My pan looked better than that when I did the first fluid change on my Ram at 70k.... I put the Mopar fluid back in and I don't see how my truck could shift any better.. Happy you're happy with the RP though.

 

[JavierH19]

Royal Purple ATF and gear oil is alright and better priced. It's their motor oil that sucks for the price. But yeah I would agree the factory fill sucked if it performed this badly.

 

[JeepJKU85]

Royal Purple ATF and gear oil is alright and better priced. It's their motor oil that sucks for the price. But yeah I would agree the factory fill sucked if it performed this badly.

If you are talking API then yes. HPS and XPR is far superior to any off the shelf oil hands down. Redline is the closest competition. None of the majors can come close. Fact.

 

[johnmyster]

You can't blame the lubricant for a poor mechanical design or inadequate maintenance.

Well, I guess you can.

 

[JeepJKU85]

3rd fluid change at 22.5k? Far from indeaquate maintenance. I change my fluids well before the manufacture states because they don't care about your vehicle only to sell you another product.

Also they choose fluids subpar to offer just enough protection to get you out of the basic warranty. After that good luck with any repair because gray areas will appear you never knew existed.

Just look at the oil viscosities nowadays. Only a fool would run anything thinner than a 5w-30. Stellantis and many others have gone to lifetime transmission fluid. Yea it's lifetime alright. Outside of warranty lifetime.

 

[SShooterZ]

Is “tree hugger electric power steering” an upgrade option? Or does that come standard?

 

[JavierH19]

3rd fluid change at 22.5k? Far from indeaquate maintenance. I change my fluids well before the manufacture states because they don't care about your vehicle only to sell you another product.

Also they choose fluids subpar to offer just enough protection to get you out of the basic warranty. After that good luck with any repair because gray areas will appear you never knew existed.

Just look at the oil viscosities nowadays. Only a fool would run anything thinner than a 5w-30. Stellantis and many others have gone to lifetime transmission fluid. Yea it's lifetime alright. Outside of warranty lifetime.

I agree with 3 drains by 23k it's very well maintained. If a fluid does that badly it needs to be taken behind the barn. People here and elsewhere also said they had better shifts in these with Valvoline maxlife or EP and castrol transmax.

 

[JeepJKU85]

Is “tree hugger electric power steering” an upgrade option? Or does that come standard?

Comes standard with Stellantis products.

 

[Boomer]

Hey, I love the electric power steering in my VWs. No pumps, no PS fluid (and leaks), no reservoir or hoses. And both cars have good road feel and are a pleasure to drive. I never want to go back to the old type power steering.

 

[racer12306]

This is surprising to me. Were you regularly over 200*?

I had to look at your history, so I assume this is the 8HP that Chrysler builds to ZF spec. Is this a Wrangler or Gladiator

I'd lean to there is an issue with that transmission more so than the fluid is bad. The Mopar fluid is rebottled Lifeguard which is highly regarded in ZF transmissions across any brand vehicle using it.

 

[Propflux01]

Third change and that bad!

Hint: it’s not the fluid…

 

[Brons2]

I'm glad you're happy with your fluid, but this reads like an advertisement for Royal Purple. There are other competent oils and ATFs out there.

OEM fluids having middling performance is nothing new.

 

[jeepman3071]

Interesting. I have a 2019 Grand Cherokee with the 5.7L/ZF8 combo, and my father has the same vehicle but a 2020. His has about 40k more miles than mine and his definitely shifts smoother. I've been running MaxLife ATF in his and changed mine with the ZF fluid just to see if there was a difference.

 

[D60]

Hey, I love the electric power steering in my VWs. No pumps, no PS fluid (and leaks), no reservoir or hoses. And both cars have good road feel and are a pleasure to drive. I never want to go back to the old type power steering.

Add 37" rubber, a front locker and then drop it onto slickrock (a misnomer as it's the grippiest stuff your tires will ever see) and report back

 

[Tdog02]

Transmissions are hydraulic pumps. The pressure drives everything. Can the fluid be upgraded? It really depends on what magical secret sauce is required and how the vehicle is operated. Low viscosity requirements and pressure requirements by trans control module to facilitate shifting is the biggest factor. 3 fluid changes in 22.5k miles seems excessive and would kinda make me think its something assembled wrong or a problem with one or more of the clutch packs.

How is the vehicle operated and in what environment. The application angle isn't discussed very often but is a huge variable.
Example, my daughter, driving a 2020 Mazda CX-5 with its advanced safety system, used up brakes and rotors in 12,000 miles. The isense system will start braking the vehicle due to following distance and she will mash harder on the go pedal. Are Mazda's junk? No, its her driving style that is abusing the brakes. (I could go on about her issues but I won't)