Hey guys, came here for some real world thoughts/opinions. So I took the D to the stealership yesterday for an oil change. At the end of the oil change the S/A brought me a list of recommended services and flushes that they think I should do on the vehicle. He advised of a throttle body service, brake fluid flush, power steering fluid flush, coolant flush, and diff service. The real kicker was the recommended transmission service, which he quoted me at roughly $900. He says once the vehicle hits the 100k mark I'm stuck with that fluid for the remainder of the vehicle life, as no dealer will service the transmission after it hits 100k. I'm the second owner of the vehicle, I got it at 80k, it now has 90k on it. I have the full car fax on it, it was regularly serviced at the dealership. The majority of the service entries say "Recommended maintenance performed", but nothing explicitly says that those exact services I mentioned earlier were performed. My question is are all of these services the dealer is trying to sell me on truly needed, or are maybe one or two more important than the others. I know dealers make their money by trying to sell services like such as these, so I figured I'd check here first. Thanks in advance!
Dealer Recommended Fluid Services
305r/t
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Hey guys, came here for some real world thoughts/opinions. So I took the D to the stealership yesterday for an oil change. At the end of the oil change the S/A brought me a list of recommended services and flushes that they think I should do on the vehicle. He advised of a throttle body service, brake fluid flush, power steering fluid flush, coolant flush, and diff service. The real kicker was the recommended transmission service, which he quoted me at roughly $900. He says once the vehicle hits the 100k mark I'm stuck with that fluid for the remainder of the vehicle life, as no dealer will service the transmission after it hits 100k. I'm the second owner of the vehicle, I got it at 80k, it now has 90k on it. I have the full car fax on it, it was regularly serviced at the dealership. The majority of the service entries say "Recommended maintenance performed", but nothing explicitly says that those exact services I mentioned earlier were performed. My question is are all of these services the dealer is trying to sell me on truly needed, or are maybe one or two more important than the others. I know dealers make their money by trying to sell services like such as these, so I figured I'd check here first. Thanks in advance!
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Some of those services are legit and if you do not know the history of the vehicle then you should do them
Skip the throttle body service and power steering flush. Diff’s you can do yourself easily. Brake and coolant not a bad idea but you don’t need the dealer to do it and can get it done cheaper elsewhere. Trans service, that one I’d call around on. Good idea to do but it’s probably cheaper elsewhere.
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I think the filter in the transmission is integral with the pan so the pan needs to be replaced?
I would let the dealer do the transmission service so at least you get OEM parts.
I would let the dealer do the transmission service so at least you get OEM parts.
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305 r/t
As usual, your dealer is trying to pad their end of the month numbers. The plugs will be due at 100k. The purple coolant is good for 10 years, or 150k. NO reason to touch it. The trans probably should be done soon, but is not a "have to" at the moment. The nonsense about no dealer will touch it, is 100% Mule Muffins! Where in the hell do they find these dumb asses? The T case, and diffs should be done ay some point at or before 100k. I would have them verify that the PS fluid level is good, and if you are gonna hang onto it, the brake flush would not hurt.
Don
As usual, your dealer is trying to pad their end of the month numbers. The plugs will be due at 100k. The purple coolant is good for 10 years, or 150k. NO reason to touch it. The trans probably should be done soon, but is not a "have to" at the moment. The nonsense about no dealer will touch it, is 100% Mule Muffins! Where in the hell do they find these dumb asses? The T case, and diffs should be done ay some point at or before 100k. I would have them verify that the PS fluid level is good, and if you are gonna hang onto it, the brake flush would not hurt.
Don
Not sure about the trans service. Lots of documented cases of transmissions failing after changing out fluid that old for new fluid, in all makes. I could see a dealer not wanting to touch it. I’ve had a couple independent shops tell me the same thing.
Thanks for all the great info guys. I'll look around in my area for reputable shops to do those services, I'm certain I can find better prices than at the dealer prices for those. @Vice-White You are correct, the filter is built into the pan. The pan and the filter gets replaced since it's all one unit. As @Centex16 stated, I've also read multiple stories of people having transmission issues after changing out their old trans fluid for new fluid as well...the transmission service is the one that I have the most concern about at this point.
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The trans failures are usually after a flush, which is NOT recommended. A simple drain/refill filter change is the way to go. A new 8 speed trans is not cheap. The trans maker, ZF, recommends a fluid/filter service in the 75k range. Dodge however, says it's not necessary under "normal" usage.
If I was gonna sell it in a year or two, let it be. If I was going to hang onto it, I'll take the drain/refill any day over a $4-$5k trans replacement.
YMMV
Don
If I was gonna sell it in a year or two, let it be. If I was going to hang onto it, I'll take the drain/refill any day over a $4-$5k trans replacement.
YMMV
Don
The factory says that the trans fluid is lifetime fluid. ZF says to change it at 75-80K as was mentioned. You should change it now, the sooner the better. I did mine at 83K and it was around $600 by my local mechanic and he used aftermarket filter/pan and non-Mopar fluid.
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Apparently the ZF has an o-ring seal that techs often screw up, shades of the old 545RFE main filter seal that caused many Durangos to return to the shop on a hook.
I gotta admit, though, "He says once the vehicle hits the 100k mark I'm stuck with that fluid for the remainder of the vehicle life, as no dealer will service the transmission after it hits 100k." is a new one on me.
My dealer said the opposite, as an excuse for why they did NOT want to do the transmission service: "The transmission pan bolts are sealed and if we replace the pan we can't guarantee it won't leak"
I gotta admit, though, "He says once the vehicle hits the 100k mark I'm stuck with that fluid for the remainder of the vehicle life, as no dealer will service the transmission after it hits 100k." is a new one on me.
My dealer said the opposite, as an excuse for why they did NOT want to do the transmission service: "The transmission pan bolts are sealed and if we replace the pan we can't guarantee it won't leak"
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The process for a drain/fill is probably something worth paying for. It’s fairly complex, and requires a lift for sure. I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I’ll bother.
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I do some of my own maintenance, but on newer vehicles with warranties have used dealers for service as I like the maintenance record. My local Dodge dealer has a really good service department, I've been going there for a long time and have serviced my '15 Citadel there. I had it in for inspection which I knew included brakes plus got water pump #3 under warranty, and they asked if I wanted to do the 100k service, I have 93k on it now. I said yes, it was a convenient time to get it done. I did the whole ball of wax, very expensive. Plugs are not a cheap replacement on these.
I have had good luck with the vehicle, figured I'd go with the factory service recommendation. I know some of it could be shopped for cheaper, some left alone, but glad I did it all. On power steering flush, actually I think it's a good idea, if you ever do one yourself and see the fluid that comes out you have to figure it makes sense to do. I always think the steering is smoother after, most likely just in my mind but still makes me feel good about it!
I have had good luck with the vehicle, figured I'd go with the factory service recommendation. I know some of it could be shopped for cheaper, some left alone, but glad I did it all. On power steering flush, actually I think it's a good idea, if you ever do one yourself and see the fluid that comes out you have to figure it makes sense to do. I always think the steering is smoother after, most likely just in my mind but still makes me feel good about it!
Based on the consensus here, I think over the next few months I'll get each fluid service knocked out. I plan out keeping the Rango for a while, so it only makes sense. I'm still doing some research on the whole the whole transmission drain & fill, I don't wanna mess up something that's been working fine and end up with a huge headache. Once again, thanks for all the great info as always!
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On the transmission question .... I let them do what they wanted to do on tranny service, again largely because of warranty and some faith in this dealer. But ..... I'm not ever a fan of transmission flushing. To me, it is a way for shops to make a bunch of money, use an outrageous amount of fluid for the flush, and get the job done easier and cleaner for them than a pan drop service. Drain, pan drop, replace all filters, and reinstall pan is the best way to go on any auto transmission. Yes, you leave a lot of fluid in the tranny to mix with the new fluid, but that's not a bad thing. The flush method, again IMO, causes way more failures if crud is flushed through the system rather than just caught in the filter during normal use.
I have never heard any reputable mechanic say "don't drop the pan, it will leak when we reinstall it".
I'm going to do a pan fluid change (not a flush) on my 2015 rt in the near future. So far here's what I've come up with:
Dorman 265-850 Pan filter combo
Vega T40 1/4 in socket:
Very short, should be able to reach the bolts under the frame front and back. Might be too short for the back. Gonna order it now and check the fitment.
7 quarts Valvoline mutli vehicle atf: Done enough reading to trust it. Probably won't need more than 6. On sale at Amazon for $5 a quart.
8 and 10 mm allen sockets (already have)
Small 12 volt oil pump.
All in all about $200. I'll definitely chime in when it's done. But my next project is my cam swap so it'll be a little while.
Dorman 265-850 Pan filter combo
Vega T40 1/4 in socket:
Very short, should be able to reach the bolts under the frame front and back. Might be too short for the back. Gonna order it now and check the fitment.
7 quarts Valvoline mutli vehicle atf: Done enough reading to trust it. Probably won't need more than 6. On sale at Amazon for $5 a quart.
8 and 10 mm allen sockets (already have)
Small 12 volt oil pump.
All in all about $200. I'll definitely chime in when it's done. But my next project is my cam swap so it'll be a little while.
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9,271 Posts
@ Hemiwot:
The 8 speed trans is a different animal than what we old school folks are used to dealing with. I am not a fan of any sort of "one size fits all" fluid, especially in a complex and pricey piece like the 8 speed. Is this fluid you speak of red, or like the proper fluid that should be in there? I realize color should not affect performance, but in my mind, ZF made the color different for a reason. I admire your willingness to be kind of a guinea pig, but I myself would not risk a $5k trans over a few extra dollars for the correct fluid.
I believe there are alternatives (good ones) that meet spec, more economical than the dealer pricing.
Don
The 8 speed trans is a different animal than what we old school folks are used to dealing with. I am not a fan of any sort of "one size fits all" fluid, especially in a complex and pricey piece like the 8 speed. Is this fluid you speak of red, or like the proper fluid that should be in there? I realize color should not affect performance, but in my mind, ZF made the color different for a reason. I admire your willingness to be kind of a guinea pig, but I myself would not risk a $5k trans over a few extra dollars for the correct fluid.
I believe there are alternatives (good ones) that meet spec, more economical than the dealer pricing.
Don
I'm pretty confident about it, otherwise I wouldn't even consider it. I was going to get the ZF fluid 8. Not bad of a price on Amazon anyways. But I kept digging like I always do. These transmissions are in a lot of different makes and models, and all the looking around I did show very few problems at all with the transmission itself. There are plenty of reports with the Valvoline Mutli Vehicle working quite well.
It's not like I just chose the $5 fluid which is normally $10. I just found that price while looking for it that specific fluid. I just took it as sign so to speak. The way I see it, companies want to make money. If they can sell their stuff for $20 - $25 dollars a quart and people buy it then ok. I'm sure they make a killing on it through dealers alone.
I'm willing to try it. I'm not worried about anything happening in the least. If I was I would just get the ZF fluid.
MMXs NA Lope cam. Have everything but the base tune, and the time at the moment. Already fun as hell to drive. I really cant wait to get it in there.
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