Trans fluid for 2000 Durango??

[shinerburke]

It's about time to change the tranny fluid in my Durango. Any ideas on what would work best for me? I told someone I was thinking of Mobil 1 but they said absolutley not in any Dodge/Chrysler vehicle. Said it was a major no, no. I'm new to this forum so I hope I'm not missing something that has been gone over before. If anyone needs furnther info just let me know.

By the way....just discovered this forum and it's great. I'm just now getting into learning about oils, filters, etc... and this place has been a treasure trove.

[ June 24, 2003, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: shinerburke ]

 

[sam]

I belive that dodge specs ATF+3 for your tranny, but they have recently said that ATF+4 is now reccomended in most of their autos. You can only get ATF+4 from your DC/Dodge dealer. I think I paid about 4.80/qt for the ATF+4 a month ago.

Sam

 

[shinerburke]

Interesting....that's just great. Guess I get to go visit my dealer....**** I hate going there....I'm not sure which one of us hates the other more.

 

[TooSlick]

Amsoil and Redline both make synthetic ATF's that they recommend for this application. I haven't tried the Redline product, but I have customers running the Amsoil ATF in dodge diesel pickups and have had very good reports on it. Transmission oil temps under heavy towing conditions run significantly cooler ....

TooSlick

 

[shinerburke]

Amsoil & Redline may make products that they recommend for this situation, but I wonder what Dodge would have to say. Going to check into that....thanks for the heads up.

 

[Chris 2421]

Go to your local Wal-Mart and get the Quaker State ATF+3.They have it in stock as does Pep Boys.Cheaper than the dealer,which in reading your other post,I would find a new one!!

 

[cousincletus]

Although I'm an Amsoil believer, I would only use what the book calls for in any Chrysler application. I use Amsoil Universal ATF in my wife's Jeep Cherokee with good results but it calls for Dexron 3. Have known people with horror stories on this issue. Chrysler trannies seem to hold up as well as any other if you use the recommended fluid and change every 25,000 miles or so. Just don't neglect the maintenance and you'll be OK.

 

[dagmando]

Do not use anything other than ATF+3/ATF+4 in the Durango(same tran as Jeep). The ATF+4 is the new and improved fluid. Do not use the Redline or any other "universal" fluid. How can it be universal when ATF+ and Dextron have completely different "tackyness" to them among other properties. Let the dealer do it for the $99 which includes the filter(s)

 

[UncleS2]

Shiner, while I understand your position on dealerships, in this case it may be best to bite the bullet & take it to a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership for transmission service. No reason you shouldn't ask around for who has the best svc dept. As we all know, all dealership shops, Chrysler or any other brand, are *Not* created equal.

#1. They have the correct fluid, & won't try to tell you,"They're all the same, this will work just fine."

#2. If warranty is a consideration: If something should go wrong with your trans soon after, it makes it a *lot* harder for Chrysler to squirm out of fixing it. Repeat: a *LOT* harder.

Let us know how it comes out. My brother just bought a high mileage(85K) 02 Durango, so I'm especially interested.

 

[Mr. 45]

I have a Dodge Truck with the 48re tranny. I got a DTT Transmission in it. Bill at DTT uses dexron III as a break in oil. ATF+3 has nore friction modifiers in it. I will be switching to Amsoil ATF when i change it out this weekend.

[ July 02, 2003, 07:02 PM: Message edited by: Mr. 45 ]

 

[shinerburke]

I think I'm going to break down and just take it to the dealer for a couple of different reasons.

1. I'm about to have to go out of town on business and in having to get ready I just don't have the time to do it myself.

2. Finding ATF+3 around here has proven to be a difficult task. I've been to several different places(Wal-Mart, AutoZone, O'Reilly, Target, KMart, NAPA, etc..) and nobody seems to have more than 1 or two bottles of the stuff.

3. I got a pack of coupons in the mail on Wednesday from my dealership. Mostly silly things like $5 off an oil change, summer maintenance(wiper blades, fluid, etc...), AC service, and lo and behold a tranny flush filter change and fluid for $79. Not bad considering their normal price is $120.

My dealer actually has a highly rated service department. I just feel like a loser for not doing it myself. Next thing you know I'll be payin Jiffy Lube to change my oil.

[ July 04, 2003, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: shinerburke ]

 

[UncleS2]

I'd call that a wise choice, especially with that coupon! Happy 4th of July!

 

[tmgxray]

I have a 02 Durango R/T with the 5.9 liter. I use amsoil univeral atf in my tranny and transfer case, haven't had any problems myself( just better gas mileage!).

hope that helps