Why are Chryslers said to be sensitive to whether you use +4 or not?
- Thread starter Lockasiam
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MolaKule
Staff member
Which threads show Universal ATF being problematic?
ATF+4 is easily attainable if you do not trust Universal ATFs.
Where are these people?
Having been cross-infected by Mopar freaks, I've "always heard" that the amount/type of friction modifiers is the difference.
I don't know.
I am in the camp of "Use ATF+4 if that's what called for...don't complicate the matter if nothing needs to be addressed".
People say the same thing for MerconV. Don't mess with subs if it isn't necessary.
Saying that, some members claim RedLine and Amsoil products claiming to cover ATF+4 are OK.
Here I don't know nor have an opinion.
Reading material here: https://myoildepot.com/shop/classic-cars/transmission-fluid-classic-cars/atf4-semi-synthetic/
I don't know.
I am in the camp of "Use ATF+4 if that's what called for...don't complicate the matter if nothing needs to be addressed".
People say the same thing for MerconV. Don't mess with subs if it isn't necessary.
Saying that, some members claim RedLine and Amsoil products claiming to cover ATF+4 are OK.
Here I don't know nor have an opinion.
Reading material here: https://myoildepot.com/shop/classic-cars/transmission-fluid-classic-cars/atf4-semi-synthetic/
In my extremely narrow experience with ATF+4 was with my 2011 Ram 1500 with the 545RFE 5 speed auto. Used a universal ATF around 100,000km and run until about 150 before traded in.
Did a full fluid exchange and the fluid was labeled suitable for use.
What did I find? Nothing. It ran great. Just as great as it did before and I ran her hard.
Did a full fluid exchange and the fluid was labeled suitable for use.
What did I find? Nothing. It ran great. Just as great as it did before and I ran her hard.
The issue started back when … goodness… they released their first electronically controlled transmissions. 41TE and similar back in the … 90s? Issue was the TCU anticipated the proper friction rate during shifts … you’d hear them at every street corner shifting …. Bzzzztck, bzzzzztck. From the annals of Allpar.com, if the friction rate of the fluid was anything besides ATF+3 or ATF+4, it would compensate the shift engagement and increase clutch wear in doing so.
We had a couple of these. Keep the right fluid in them and they drove very nicely, but they were also known for their own problem areas. One of mine was great. The other was well-used before I bought it and soldiered (limped) admirably for a few years before we sold it.
We had a couple of these. Keep the right fluid in them and they drove very nicely, but they were also known for their own problem areas. One of mine was great. The other was well-used before I bought it and soldiered (limped) admirably for a few years before we sold it.
MolaKule
Staff member
True. ATF+4 is highly friction-modified ATF with a specified Group III base oil.
See Post #47: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...f-4-debate-settled.392622/page-3#post-7162850
Do you recall which universal stated suitable? It seems difficult to find them labeled as such these days.
Case closed. I plan on doing the trans service on the Dodge van soon and ATF+4 is going in.
Thanks @MolaKule
I thought it had to do with the cSt @100c.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Yep, thicker and different FM than what OEM’s are going to these days - the only thing I have it is called for is a Jeep transfer case …