The real story behind ATF+4 tranny fluid & Multi-Vehicule Ma

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:51 pm

flman wrote:

ChesterCRD wrote:

flman wrote:

I installed plugs in my transmission pans, I can drain them real easy.

That would make a lot of sense if the spin-on filter could be changed without removing the pan.

Who says you need to change the filter if you are draining at every oil change? The net would be cleaner fluid, plus it is a lot easier to drop a pan that is empty when you do change the filters. My Sprinters have a drain pan and torque converter plug, so that is the best.

Sorry, I didn't intend to take the position that what you did doesn't make sense to me, it does. It certainly would make draining less messy. I'm wishing they put that filter outside the pan so I could change that and the fluid more easily.

gmctd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:46 pm

This pic clearly indicates the seal in the adapter housing that separates 545RFE ATF from NV241 ATF

68RFE

Not quite so obvious is that the 545RFE and NV241 both have planetary gearsets, for which ATF+4 is spec'ed as suitable lubricant, with additives for the multiple clutch-paks and TCC friction materials

In ignoring these two salient facts and points, what, in your opinion, is the major factor that makes ATF+4 "wrong" for the 545RFE transmission in our KJ's, as opposed to the same 545RFE in the Grand Cherokee, the 545RFE in the Ram 1500 Hemi, and the GODZILLA 68RFE in the big CUMMMINS Ram, all spec'ed for ATF+4 without additional additives to handle the increased power

FYI, a quick perusal of the '06 DR FSM p21-1269 on the Colorado website will reveal the obvious difference in clutches and bands, for those that are unaware of the lack of sameness

Brody · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:31 am

Wow this thread is on fire !

Thanks guys for all your input. I feel much better about doing this flush. Found a place nearby that does a flush the right way via the cooler line.

geordi wrote:

By any chance, did this mobile mechanic get paid with a credit card? If so... You have the best way to recover your money: Charge it back!

Well that's the problem. He was only accepting cash or check. I gave him a check. My only chance is if my bank can revert a withdraw from a check that was already deposited, which I need do some digging up into.
Thank you so much for offering to be an impartial expert witness BTW. Very much appreciated

Brody · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:36 am

ChesterCRD wrote:

If it's not shifting right after a week or two with the ATF+4, then I suggest taking it somewhere for a flush/change to ATF+4 where they can also reset the transmission to learning mode (dealer). This seems to help in situations where the wrong fluid was put in, or the fluid went a long time without changing (black/brown ATF). IIRC this reset to learning mode is also mentioned in a TSB for Amsoil multivehicle ATF use in our liberties.

I've mentioned this to a couple of shops or mechanics and they always had no idea what I was talking about. Said such a reset didn't exist. They would usually direct me to going to 1 to Park and back. Even someone highly respected on this forum.
So who can do this? (besides the dealer) You need a specific computer?

3rd gear was slipping the last time I used and realized he put the wrong fluid in. Sort of afraid there has been irreversible damage done to the transmission. After having had to replace a transmission already on this car, I've somewhat become a sort of paranoid with the transmission.

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:13 am

If the check has already been deposited / cashed... I'm afraid that ship has probably sailed and sunk. Sorry man.

GMCTD: I never said that ATF+4 was wrong, completely the opposite. ATF+4 is the ONLY fluid that I would ever use in a Chrysler transmission or transfer case, as ALL of them are specified to use that. Mopar gets ATF+4, Blue Oval gets Mercon (I usually use Mercon V full synth) and GM gets Dexron which is the same as Mercon.

Power steering boxes get whatever flavor of blood that the transmission gets, and differentials usually get forgotten.

But when they are remembered, full synthetic gear oil in whatever flavor is specific to manufacturer...

gmctd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:38 am

Ok - so, maybe what is needed is a highly visible and informative tag, maybe with neon lettering, that can be mounted directly behind the 545RFE filler tube, and which states, for the independent garage owner:
ATF+4 or lawsuit, your choice

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:56 am

Brody wrote:

ChesterCRD wrote:

If it's not shifting right after a week or two with the ATF+4, then I suggest taking it somewhere for a flush/change to ATF+4 where they can also reset the transmission to learning mode (dealer). This seems to help in situations where the wrong fluid was put in, or the fluid went a long time without changing (black/brown ATF). IIRC this reset to learning mode is also mentioned in a TSB for Amsoil multivehicle ATF use in our liberties.

I've mentioned this to a couple of shops or mechanics and they always had no idea what I was talking about. Said such a reset didn't exist. They would usually direct me to going to 1 to Park and back. Even someone highly respected on this forum.
So who can do this? (besides the dealer) You need a specific computer?

I'm not sure what computer is required, but the dealer can definitely do it. I had it done on a 2002 liberty my sister bought with nasty looking/smelling transmission fluid. I was concerned that changing it without the reset would result in rough shifting, and it did. I took in a had the transmission reset to learning mode ($60 IIRC).

Here is that Amsoil TSB:
https://www.amsoil.com/techservicesbull ... ifting.pdf

Per that the DRBIII is required.

gmctd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:19 am

Yes, resetting the TCM requires the dealer scantool - the 2005 KJ requires the DRBIII - the 2006^ KJ requires the STARSCAN

The real story behind ATF+4 tranny fluid & Multi-Vehicule Ma

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