Hello Everyone!! (Newbie here)
Just hit 100k on my '17 1500.
Yes I drive a lot for work....
I have asked multiple dealers regarding if the Trans fluid should be changed?
Responses: 1) It's sealed for life don't touch it. 2) Don't change it till 120k.
3) You can but you must use Mopar fluid only, no one else makes it and it's $40/qt.
Curious if anyone has changed the fluid?
Appreciate any help!!
Search the youtubes, many of those on this subject. Sean's eco diesel channel amoung the best, he used maxlife and amsoil as alternatives. Here's the issue summed up, it is extremely hard and costy to change zf fluid in comparison to the cost of the transmision itself. Some guys are quotted 1200 for a trans flush, and to be honest that isn't that far off reasonable. You need to replace pan everytime if you use dealer, pan is the filter, plus pao based fluid times 14, plus labor intensive process.
Here's the rub, no way not changing the fluid in a transmision that is mechanically heated and operates at such a higher temp then the rfe, is a good strategy that will make that transmision last.
Pick your poisen, but if I was to do it myself, I would get the pan that allows for disposable filters with dip stick or window to check level, and I would use other then pao based fluid. Now, redline d6 from nick@gotexhaust is 1/2 the price of pao based fluid and is pao/esters so better at dealing with hot oil when you use esters. And another alternative is amsoil atf, I believe they have one that has a cSt in the 6's. That is what zf wants, operating viscosity in 6's like redline d6 or factory transmision fluid, that is what you should look for other then spending 30 bucks for oem fluid. I'd use redline d6 personally if it were mine, that is what I use in place of oem in the wife's suv.