What's the best ATF+4 fluid for the $$$?

[Joe_Power]

I'll be doing an "all fluids change" on my Jeep in the next week or so. It's got about 32,000 miles on it. Where can I get a good +4 fluid for it, at a decent price? Also, can I add Lubegard red to it?

The transfer case will get the ATF+4 as well.

Any suggestions on the differentials?

 

[mene]

Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
I'll be doing an "all fluids change" on my Jeep in the next week or so. It's got about 32,000 miles on it. Where can I get a good +4 fluid for it, at a decent price? Also, can I add Lubegard red to it?

The transfer case will get the ATF+4 as well.

Any suggestions on the differentials?




The best will be Redline C+ it is the most expensive but if you take in account the extra life of the parts it makes it cheaper unless you don't plan to keep the Jeep for too long. Advance Auto Parts had a deal of 2 Qts. of any ATF for $8.00, we bought 12 Qts., I don't know if still available, if not, Walmart ATF+4 would be the best bang for the buck since to use the ATF+4 designation all have to pass a very strict battery of test by a company paid to do that by Chrysler to random sample Qts. bought at stores nationwide.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Sounds like you will be changing it regularly. I have used the Walmart SuperTech atf+4 on a dodge minivan that now has a pan with drain plug. It is a licensed fluid, so it has to meet the specs, and at 4.27 a qt, not a bad price. There are probably slightly better spec fluids for more money, but if you plan to drop out a few QTS every 30k miles, this is not at a bad price point. A whole bottle of LG red the first time, then 1 oz per qt for subsequent drain and refills is what I would do.

If you intend on doing a complete trans flush, then a higher quality, say Full Synthetic fluid like the redline might be worthwhile. But then I'm adding an inline filter and aux cooling so I can leave it in there longer and get my money's worth from the longer life fluid.

 

[901Memphis]

http://centerforqa.com/chrysler/licensed-atf4-brands

If it's on this list it's all exactly the same. Generally Supertech is the cheapest if you don't find specials.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
I'll be doing an "all fluids change" on my Jeep in the next week or so. It's got about 32,000 miles on it. Where can I get a good +4 fluid for it, at a decent price? Also, can I add Lubegard red to it?

The transfer case will get the ATF+4 as well.

Any suggestions on the differentials?




Amsoil and Redline are both excellent.

If you base your decision on price per mile, then since Amsoil goes 100K miles in normal conditions, its probably the best buy.

Use a high quality ATF and no Lubegard is needed.

 

[mene]

Amsoil is a universal oil, if it were a 727, 904, 413 or 31th, yes you could but not for the others it doesn't have the same properties as ATF+4, it can't have the same properties as any specific oil. I would not use it in your case and all our cars have Amsoil in the engines and will continue using it so I'm not an Amsoil hater/basher, I might try the transmission fluid in the 31th one day but nowhere else. By the way ATF+4 was designed for 100K miles of service that is the main reason of its existence over ATF+3. Ahh by the way, no Dexron with converter additive either.

 

[tommygunn]

The best ATF+4 for the money is the cheapest ATF+4 you can get. Usually, it happens to be Walmart's house brand Supertech. But sometimes other stores put name brand or their store brands on sale.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: mene
Amsoil is a universal oil, if it were a 727, 904, 413 or 31th, yes you could but not for the others it doesn't have the same properties as ATF+4, it can't have the same properties as any specific oil. I would not use it in your case and all our cars have Amsoil in the engines and will continue using it so I'm not an Amsoil hater/basher, I might try the transmission fluid in the 31th one day but nowhere else. By the way ATF+4 was designed for 100K miles of service that is the main reason of its existence over ATF+3. Ahh by the way, no Dexron with converter additive either.


You appear to me uninformed about Amsoil ATF. While their main ATF is recommended for many vehicles, its not universal. They also have more than one ATF. The specs for the various ATFs have a lot of overlap.

 

[toneydoc]

Check out your local parts stores on line for their ads and pick it up on sale. Or wal mart for a good everyday price but might be lower on sale elsewhere. My Jeep is on OReilly ATF +4 at the moment.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
http://centerforqa.com/chrysler/licensed-atf4-brands

If it's on this list it's all exactly the same. Generally Supertech is the cheapest if you don't find specials.


^^^what 901Memphis said.
ATF+4 is a VERY strict License. like 1 basestock, and 1 additive package. if it's an officially Licensed ATF+4, it's the same stuff inside the bottle.
therefore the "best" one is the cheapest one.

 

[UNC017]

All ATF+4 is essentially identical- its one of the tightest lubricant specs out there.

No need for lubegard or any other snake oil.

 

[mene]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: mene
Amsoil is a universal oil, if it were a 727, 904, 413 or 31th, yes you could but not for the others it doesn't have the same properties as ATF+4, it can't have the same properties as any specific oil. I would not use it in your case and all our cars have Amsoil in the engines and will continue using it so I'm not an Amsoil hater/basher, I might try the transmission fluid in the 31th one day but nowhere else. By the way ATF+4 was designed for 100K miles of service that is the main reason of its existence over ATF+3. Ahh by the way, no Dexron with converter additive either.


You appear to me uninformed about Amsoil ATF. While their main ATF is recommended for many vehicles, its not universal. They also have more than one ATF. The specs for the various ATFs have a lot of overlap.


OK!OK!, Multi-vehicle, I had to go to the website for the exact word. The Fuel-Efficient is a no-go too thin, The torque-drive another no-go too heavy duty, the super shift what can I say...., that leave us with multi-vehicle in signature and OE flavors, the fluids have not been overlapping for a long time, the era of Dexron for everything is long gone now every manufacturer have they very own spec. of viscosity, detergents, friction, etc. Will the multi-vehicle work for many transmission's? sure But for how long? and I don't mean the fluid but the clutches and seals and everything else, if the OP wants to try it fine but it is not a direct like for like replacement fluid, the Redline C+ is a specific blend for Chrysler transmissions nothing else, Amsoil is hardly the only one with a multi-vehicle, I have seen other brands with it too but it doesn't make it right Mobil 1 ATF is an example but no longer say it is for ATF+4 transmissions. Chrysler transmissions are notoriously picky with the fluid, and once the friction material gets contaminated with the wrong fluid How do you squeeze it out and make it absorb the right one? I don't know, perhaps there is a way, I just don't know it.

 

[dave1251]

No lubeguard. Use whatever ATF+4 you can get for the lowest price. ATF+4 is basically the same across all brands. No need for a boutique ATF either. I am not a Redline nor Amsoil basher but ATF+4 is a very stout fluid.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
http://centerforqa.com/chrysler/licensed-atf4-brands

If it's on this list it's all exactly the same. Generally Supertech is the cheapest if you don't find specials.



Exactly. In order to be an approved fluid Chrysler dictates what ingredients are required and who to acquire them from so the product is consistent.

Buy whichever is the least expensive. If it's a certified product its basically the same as any other certified product.

 

[drolds]

Donald stated it well. I specifically like the Amsoil ATF when servicing a Chrysler transmission or a Honda Transmission. The Chrysler ATF+4 and the Honda Z-1 require specific & beefy anti-shudder additives in the additive package. These two manufacturers are particular which is why I researched them 10 years ago. While I get occasional requests to install a particular brand of trans fluid, I use the Amsoil without exception in Chrysler and Honda transmissions. My customers have had zero problems with Amsoil ATF. In particular, a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was just past its powertrain warranty ( about 65-75k miles) was having issues. Knowing the checkered history of these transmissions, I told the customer I would not guarantee an improvement. However, The Amsoil universal- std viscosity fluid seemed to cure it completely. It is spec'd for ATF+4 and my goal is zero comebacks- especially with transmissions.

Dr. Olds
1994 Intrepid ES 3.5v6 AMSOIL Signature Series 10w30 & Amsoil ATF
1969 Olds Toronado 455 Rotella 15W40 Amsoil ATF
1975 Olds Cutlass Salon 455 Rotella 15w40 & Amsoil ATF

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
http://centerforqa.com/chrysler/licensed-atf4-brands

If it's on this list it's all exactly the same. Generally Supertech is the cheapest if you don't find specials.


Another +1

I use supertech atf+4

 

[Lubener]

Go for Supertech. It likely would be cheapest and I doubt buying high priced brands would make any difference in performance.

 

[VNTS]

If your insisting on ATF+4, then Redline C+ would be your best choice.

Amsoil also works well, I use the Amsoil in my 46RE in my Durango, and my 545 RFE in my Grand Cherokee. 10 years on eachm never an issue.

I have Redline C+ in my PT 40TE.

These fluids are well received on the Durnago, WJ and PT boards and some of the trans builders use nothing but.

 

[dlundblad]

Do not fill it with anything that doesn't say ATF+4 on the front of the bottle.

 

[mene]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
If your insisting on ATF+4, then Redline C+ would be your best choice.

Amsoil also works well, I use the Amsoil in my 46RE in my Durango, and my 545 RFE in my Grand Cherokee. 10 years on eachm never an issue.

I have Redline C+ in my PT 40TE.

These fluids are well received on the Durnago, WJ and PT boards and some of the trans builders use nothing but.



Yes but he has a 42RLE, much weaker than your 545 or 46, it is closer to the 40TE in that respect were you are using the C+. Better to be safe than sorry, like I said before Amsoil is a great fluid and will use it in the older transmissions.