Transmission fluid...

Uncle B · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:46 am **Posts:** 9

I was looking through the maintnance schedule booklet and it looks like for Schedule A (no off roading etc.) the transmission fluid has to be changed at 100K miles. For Schedule B it's around 30K (can't remember exactly). That huge difference seems very strange. If I'm not doing any off roading or any other type of driving mentioned for Schedule B (towing, etc) will my original transmission fluid really last that long?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2006 2:47 pm

I wouldn't trust the factory fluid for more than 30-40k miles of any style of driving.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Almost, everyone is schedule B. If you do any stop-n-go, high temp, cold temp, towing, 4-wheeling, city driving then you are schedule B.

Schedule A is basically only highway driving.

I'd change it every 30-40k if you are easy on it (ie. no towing, 4-wheeling, very little stop and go or city driving). If not then I'd ever decrease it to 20-30k depending on how hard you are on it. Remember, stop-n-go and city driving is some of the hardest driving on your car.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:53 pm

Im changing mine at 30k and Im thinking about going with amsoil. The only thing is Ill have to get it flushed since I cannot do that myself, Ill have to take it to a shop. Ive heard you can unhook the tranny cooler and start it to pump it all out, but I dont think Im going to risk screwing something up.. I really dont like letting other people touch my jeep, so I dont know what to do..

Anyone have any advice?

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:09 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Im changing mine at 30k and Im thinking about going with amsoil. The only thing is Ill have to get it flushed since I cannot do that myself. Ive heard you can unhook the tranny cooler and start it to pump it all out, but I dont think Im going to risk screwing something up.. I really dont like letting other people touch my jeep, so Im dont know what to do really..

Anyone have any advice?

I am going to take mine to a true transmission shop and have them change the fluid and change all the filters (3 of them). I called and they said $130 for all of that. I didnt think that was a bad deal???

-Nick

dkcase · **Posted:** Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:45 pm

Quote:

change all the filters (3 of them). -Nick

Wait. THREE filters ?
I know of TWO. THere is the conventional filter that hangs down into the pan, and a fluid RETURN filter that looks like a small engine oil filter. Where is number three ?

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:03 pm

I did the fluid swap on my 45rfe and it only has two filters. Just make sure to replace the o-ring/gasket for the flat filter at the same time. That ring/gasket was a pita to get out, and getting the new one in requires that you have a socket with the exact diameter to tap it in flush to the housing.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:04 pm

$130 isnt bad if they supply the fluid.

I didnt know it had 3filters either? I wish I had the 45rfe..

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:49 pm

That was awhile ago they gave me that quote so maybe it was 2. Sorry for any confusion....

-NIck

Uncle B · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:46 am **Posts:** 9

Are there any instructions available on this website for changing the trans fluid and filters?

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:55 am

I just recently learned that there is more than one way to flush a tranny. Well first there is your basic drain and fill, where you just drop the pan, hopefully they change the filters, then put it back together and top off fluid. This does not get all of the fluid changed.

Then there is the power flush, where they use a machine to pump out old fluid and pump in new. Make sure they also drop the pan and change filter with this deal as well. Should get most of the fluid changed.

Lastly they can pump the old fluid out, pump a cleaning agent in to really clean things up, then change filter and flush new fluid in. This is the best because it gets the most of the old fluid out, clean tranny passageways up, and you get new filters.

Just thought I would share what I have learned.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:07 am

Most fast-lube shops now do the power-flush. Where they hook a machine up to your transmission lines at the radiator. One end of the machine has clean fluid going into your transmission, the other end is where the old fluid comes out of the transmission. This is the most common method for flushing fluid out of the torque converter, lines, cooler and pan. But most shops will not swap out the filter(s) for you anymore. I think the dealer or a local mechanic will probably be the only real place doing this anymore.

Recently I've been thinking about taking my liberty in to the dealer for both the Transmission and Coolant. The trans will be needed soon, but I have to wonder about 4 year old coolant

Side Bar - Back before they had these miricale power flush machines, every shop dropped the pan, changed the filter and reassembled. Thus resulting in 100% of all cars driven to only get about 40% new transmission fluid. All of those cars transmissions lasted just as long as they do now, so I have to wonder what is the bennifit of not changing the filter in today's world?

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:16 am

The only benefit I could think of is for the people doing the service, LESS work, more profit. They really dont care how long the tranny lasts anyhow, if it goes out that is just more work for them.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:58 am

Yes, that was my general thought as well. It's sad to think that everyone out there is only looking out for their respective pocket books and not the well being of their customers.

Alas, my Liberty is still going strong as I approach a very big 60,000 mile milestone.

Transmission fluid...

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