Dodge Durango Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

$44.00/qt ATF Fluid!

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
G

Glen Olsen

· Registered
Joined
·
22 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Have the 8-spd auto in my 2015 Limited. I was interested in preventive maintenance and asked about a trans flush or filter clean. Was told $44.00 per quart for ATF fluid in this transmission. Requires 9 quarts for a filter screen cleaning. Has anyone found a suitable substitute for this "liquid gold" that Chrysler wants to sell?
Glen
 
#2 ·
ZF makes the trans, think of it as a BMW/Rolls Royce/Jaguar/Land Rover etc transmission and that price sounds right... I tried doing some googling and it looks like they advertise it as a lifetime fluid but I'd probably do it before 100K.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
Its ATF +4 Mopar is sold in Gallons on AMazon
Robot Check
They charge $40qt to install what a rip off
STEVE
 
#6 ·
I'll be doing mine every 50K regardless what they say
STEVE
 
#7 ·
ZF transmission does not use ATF+4.

We recommend you only use Mopar® ZF 8&9 Speed ATF™ Automatic Transmission
Fluid or Shell L12108 Transmission Fluid.
Click to expand...
 
#8 ·
on the 5 and 6 speeds that do use ATF+4, do you guys recommend a flush or just a filter and fluid change? I used to flush my '01 Intrepid R/T with the 4 speed. but I've since heard that Dodge doesn't necessarily suggest flushing.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 ·
The Zf Fluid is sold in Liters primarily for about 35-45
Valvoline makes a ZF replacement as well sold in Gallons for 35
STEVE
 
#12 ·
2011CrewLuxSC said:
on the 5 and 6 speeds that do use ATF+4, do you guys recommend a flush or just a filter and fluid change? I used to flush my '01 Intrepid R/T with the 4 speed. but I've since heard that Dodge doesn't necessarily suggest flushing.
Click to expand...
Flushing is terrible for the trans, it'll break loose any debris and move it around the trans where as a drain and fill will just give fresher fluid and allow a more gradual change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mamasboy
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#13 ·
WHAT HE SAID ^^^^^ TYPICALLY IT BREAKS DOWN DEPOSITS AND SENDS THEM FLYING THRU SYSTEM
Now with that being said if you start a regiment of flushing at low mileage increments I believe it will be harmless but always change filters as well
STEVE
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Have 30,000 miles on car. My desire to flush/replace trans fluid at this mileage is based on what I've read and what I've experienced in HPDE's with our Corvette. Roughly 75% of of the material (iron, steel, clutch disc dust, etc.) that a new auto trans will shed occurs in the first 10,000 miles or so. If a person does a flush/filter change early in the life of an auto trans, durability is greatly enhanced. We do not have "lifetime" fluids. Our transmissions require service, according to my local dealer, at around 100,000 miles. I don't think we have disposable trans filters. Rather we have a screen that needs to be removed, cleaned and replaced. My issue is with the cost of the fluid. If there is a suitable Shell product that costs less, it would be worth considering. The dealer position that the fluid costs so much because it is full synthetic is just silly. Amsoil and Mobil1 are both full synthetic and sell for 1/4 the price. So, is this a case of Chrysler charging as much as they can get away with until reputable aftermarket products become available? It sure seems like it to me...
Glen
 
#15 ·
Seems to me that Chrysler is just passing on the ZF fluid recommendation. You'd have to ask ZF why the juice costs so much.

Another little surprise: the filter and oil pan are serviced as an assembly. MSRP $335.
 
#16 ·
Hello Group,

I found this video on youtube of a guy with a 2014 RAM ECODIESEL with our same transmission. He is completing a 40,000 mile change on his fluid and the video is very detailed. It appears that you change the entire pan (~$300) because the filter element is built into the pan. He also is using AMSOIL...YMMV on that, but at least there is a detailed process that shows the change. There is a surprisingly large amount of debris in the pan and the filter appears to be very dark suggesting the need for the change. I will surely be doing this!

 
#17 ·
tomk said:
Seems to me that Chrysler is just passing on the ZF fluid recommendation. You'd have to ask ZF why the juice costs so much.

Another little surprise: the filter and oil pan are serviced as an assembly. MSRP $335.
Click to expand...
I'm all for the new ZF 8 speed trans. its obviously much more advanced and efficient than the 545RFE in my 2011. but that... filter and pan one unit... $300+ AND the cost of the fluid. I'll keep my 545RFE for now.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
Hard to say how it will all play out..

After 2.5 years with my ZF in the '14, I think it is a very nice transmission from a driver's point of view.. quite ahead of the (5)45RFE (and I still have on of those in my '07) .. especially with sport mode on the GC, it gets up and out, shifts firmly, and generally hauls.. as we experienced with it as the 'company car' at Woodward last year..

Not clear how the maintenance is going to go.. the established users of this transmission are high-end models where maybe maintenance costs aren't important.. or where the vehicle gets turned in after two years and then the records become a bit foggy..

Time marches on, for better or worse..
 
#19 ·
tomk said:
Hard to say how it will all play out..

After 2.5 years with my ZF in the '14, I think it is a very nice transmission from a driver's point of view.. quite ahead of the (5)45RFE (and I still have on of those in my '07) .. especially with sport mode on the GC, it gets up and out, shifts firmly, and generally hauls.. as we experienced with it as the 'company car' at Woodward last year..

Not clear how the maintenance is going to go.. the established users of this transmission are high-end models where maybe maintenance costs aren't important.. or where the vehicle gets turned in after two years and then the records become a bit foggy..

Time marches on, for better or worse..
Click to expand...
Yup company car does haul ass, even with all my mods I wouldn't put any money on a drag race with Tom
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
About this Discussion
24 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
Glen Olsen
Dodge Durango Forum
posts
509K
members
60K
Since
2004
Welcome to the best Dodge Durango Forum around, where you can find a great Dodge Durango Wiki and discuss the reliability of the different trim levels including the GT and SRT!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Durango Discussions 2014+ Durango Discussions 1998-03 Durango Discussions Dodge Durango 2018+ SRT and Hellcat Durango Purchasing