Transmission Fluid / Service

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Pat G

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I have a 2019 Ram Laramie 1500, with 100,000 miles on it and called the dealer to inquire about servicing the transmission and changing the fluid, they said that I never need to do that, that it is good for the lifetime of the truck. Is that true?
 

zogg

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Well, thats what they say. But, at 100,000 miles i assume you’re out of warranty. So if/when it goes they’ll be glad to replace/rebuild it at your expense. My son-in-law has a 2015 with 175,000 miles. He changes the oil when he thinks of it, and has never changed the transmission fluid. So who knows.
I, on the other hand, change my transmission fluid every 60,000 on every truck ive ever owned. Ive never had a tranny go bad and one truck went 300,000+ miles. I feel that fluid is cheap compared to the cost of a big repair. Additionally i change the engine oil at 4,000 mile intervals….way too often for a lot of folks but i am an old school mechanic.
 

yakalong

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I was told the same thing on 2019. I've always changed it on my other vehicles at 50k.
 

Kickboxer

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I think you are just right changing at 100K. I am not sure if I would do
it at the dealership though. Find a good independent garage, not a tire
shop either.
 

HEMIMANN

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60k for 'severe' service conditions. Many of us have at least one of these conditions.

Remember, the marketing people have incentive to sell reduced or no maintenance, though there is no such thing. Yes, designs and materials have improved, but not to "no maintenance".

One of my favorite misleading statements is "sealed for life". Yeah - and just what is the 'life'? Usually the warranty period - not the life of the vehicle.
 

Podcast

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I'm a service manager at a certified dealership. I'm not stating an opinion here since they can very greatly. However, these 8 speeds transmissions are non-serviceable whether it's a fluid flush or any kind of internal repair. This is the Italian design. There is a new plant in Indiana that is now manufacturing the 8 speeds and those will be serviceable.
 

Wild one

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I'm a service manager at a certified dealership. I'm not stating an opinion here since they can very greatly. However, these 8 speeds transmissions are non-serviceable whether it's a fluid flush or any kind of internal repair. This is the Italian design. There is a new plant in Indiana that is now manufacturing the 8 speeds and those will be serviceable.
You should maybe dig deeper,the ZF is servicable,and ZF reconmends a service between 80,000 and 130,000 kms (50,000 to roughly 80,000 miles) or 8 years which ever comes first.As a service manager you should know that,as it's pretty common knowledge. BTW the ZF is also rebuildable,several outfits are rebuilding them,and upgrading the ZF 8 speeds to handle alot more power,even Chrysler offers a rebuilt version of the 8HP70,although i wouldn't trust their rebuilds,as Chrysler farms them out to the cheapest contract rebuilder
 

star_deceiver

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I'm a service manager at a certified dealership. I'm not stating an opinion here since they can very greatly. However, these 8 speeds transmissions are non-serviceable whether it's a fluid flush or any kind of internal repair.
The 8hp75 and 845re are very serviceable. Drain and fill with a new pan; follow the procedure; done. While rebuilding these transmissions is quite complex, there is a documented procedure. I get that the dealer is just going to swap in a new one, but that core is going to be sent away to be rebuilt or used for parts.

You're the service manager? Maybe it’s time for some upgrade courses and education for your position so you don’t give customers the wrong information….
 

Podcast

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You should maybe dig deeper,the ZF is servicable,and ZF reconmends a service between 80,000 and 130,000 kms (50,000 to roughly 80,000 miles) or 8 years which ever comes first.As a service manager you should know that,as it's pretty common knowledge. BTW the ZF is also rebuildable,several outfits are rebuilding them,and upgrading the ZF 8 speeds to handle alot more power,even Chrysler offers a rebuilt version of the 8HP70,although i wouldn't trust their rebuilds,as Chrysler farms them out to the cheapest contract rebuilder
Let me state that differently, Stellantis lists these as non-serviceable regardless of what ZF recommends. Ultimately ZF recommendations do no matter since it is in a Stellantis product. So, as a dealership service manager no I should not know that or recommend that since the manufacture of the vehicle does not recommend that service.

As I said, this isn't my opinion it's what the manufacturer recommends. My personal opinion varies greatly on many different topics including this one.
 

JPT

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The ZF trans, like the ZF trans in Audi ARE considered non-serviceable by the auto manufactures that use them in their vehicles. As the service manager, @Podcast is not wrong.

The trans manufacture has a listed a service interval, but that is with the understanding that the service is done at their specifications (which is very unlikely). These transmissions are so sensitive to fluid levels, one takes a big risk by servicing it. If done correctly, there is no issue, if even slightly off, say goodbye to the trans.

I have 130k/15 years (unserviced) in the NY Metroplex on my A4's ZF transmission. Not a hint of any issues at all.

I have yet to hear of a ZF trans failure because of a lack of service. Every failure I've heard of was 1) a flaw from the factory or 2) a flaw from improper service. Their trans is very sensitive to any impurities, apparently there was an issue with some impurities getting in at the factory.

The proper service for my Audi requires getting the transmission level (which is not the same as getting the vehicle level), and using the trans temp (using the VAGCOM software) to test the refilled level. If the temp is too low, the temp goes too high, in which case, you have to leave the vehicle with the trans level and let the temp drop back to a certain resting temp. This resting temp is really only achieved by leaving the vehicle on stands overnight in a temperature controlled garage (winter temps will affect fluid levels).
 

1979PowerWagon360

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60k for 'severe' service conditions. Many of us have at least one of these conditions.

Remember, the marketing people have incentive to sell reduced or no maintenance, though there is no such thing. Yes, designs and materials have improved, but not to "no maintenance".

One of my favorite misleading statements is "sealed for life". Yeah - and just what is the 'life'? Usually the warranty period - not the life of the vehicle.
Gorilla Glue lol
 

1979PowerWagon360

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I don't know how much your trans differs from the NAG1 in my Charger Police, but I got a kit that included filter and trans pan gasket plus 5 quarts of ATF+4. While hot, I was able to get out almost five quarts of old fluid. It looked bad at 85k miles. Of course it's use was severe. I added back 4.5 quarts and new filter and it definitely shifts better.

I plan to do same again soon to sort of "flush" trans.
 

Podcast

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The 8hp75 and 845re are very serviceable. Drain and fill with a new pan; follow the procedure; done. While rebuilding these transmissions is quite complex, there is a documented procedure. I get that the dealer is just going to swap in a new one, but that core is going to be sent away to be rebuilt or used for parts.

You're the service manager? Maybe it’s time for some upgrade courses and education for your position so you don’t give customers the wrong information….
See above post. It's not wrong information, it's exactly as Stellantis trains and how the flow chart works as well as documented with in all repair procedures. Obviously, since it's the exact information the OP has from a dealership. You can argue what you believe you want to do with the transmission but the reality is as the OP posted that Stellantis does not recommend servicing these transmissions and that is correct.

There is no documented rebuilding procedures through Stellantis. That is not correct information. There may be aftermarket information out there which is and always will be an entirely different subject. If the OP would like to do that it's his choice and may or may not be a good choice. I've seen these transmissions go over 300k without any maintenance. Some fail sooner. This is the way of mechanical items. In many cases they will out last the engine without and type of servicing.
 
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Podcast

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The ZF trans, like the ZF trans in Audi ARE considered non-serviceable by the auto manufactures that use them in their vehicles. As the service manager, @Podcast is not wrong.

The trans manufacture has a listed a service interval, but that is with the understanding that the service is done at their specifications (which is very unlikely). These transmissions are so sensitive to fluid levels, one takes a big risk by servicing it. If done correctly, there is no issue, if even slightly off, say goodbye to the trans.

I have 130k/15 years (unserviced) in the NY Metroplex on my A4's ZF transmission. Not a hint of any issues at all.

I have yet to hear of a ZF trans failure because of a lack of service. Every failure I've heard of was 1) a flaw from the factory or 2) a flaw from improper service. Their trans is very sensitive to any impurities, apparently there was an issue with some impurities getting in at the factory.

The proper service for my Audi requires getting the transmission level (which is not the same as getting the vehicle level), and using the trans temp (using the VAGCOM software) to test the refilled level. If the temp is too low, the temp goes too high, in which case, you have to leave the vehicle with the trans level and let the temp drop back to a certain resting temp. This resting temp is really only achieved by leaving the vehicle on stands overnight in a temperature controlled garage (winter temps will affect fluid levels).
Solid info correctly given. Thank you.
 

Wild one

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Let me state that differently, Stellantis lists these as non-serviceable regardless of what ZF recommends. Ultimately ZF recommendations do no matter since it is in a Stellantis product. So, as a dealership service manager no I should not know that or recommend that since the manufacture of the vehicle does not recommend that service.

As I said, this isn't my opinion it's what the manufacturer recommends. My personal opinion varies greatly on many different topics including this one.
Yea no,it's not a Stellantis product at all,it's a ZF product that Stellantis buys from ZF then installs in their Stellantis product. That's like saying the Maytag Washer/Dryer your home builder installs in your house is the Home Builders product. I'm way more inclined to believe the outfit that builds said product,then the outfit that wants to sell me a new product every 3 years,and Stellantis is in the game to sell you a new vehicle every 3 years,all they care about,is that vehicle they sold you lasts long enough to be off their warrenty dime,after that,they could care less about how much it costs "you" to fix the vehicle,as they aren't footing the bill.BTW what dealership do you work at,i'd like to avoid your advice,as i'm not a fan of you right at this moment,as you sir suck as a Service Manager,you're part of the reason why dealerships have a poor rep when it comes to after buying service.
 

rmill

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a Service Manager,you're part of the reason why dealerships have a poor rep when it comes to after buying service.
thats what i wanted to say but figured it would be better coming from someone with more "gravitas". Since i have been reprimanded on this site a few times I'm walking on eggshells here.
 

Wild one

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thats what i wanted to say but figured it would be better coming from someone with more "gravitas". Since i have been reprimanded on this site a few times I'm walking on eggshells here.
I'm to old to put up with a crappy service manager anymore,lol. I see he's service manager at "Van Horn Stellantis",i'll make a point of never going there,or buying a vehicle from them.
 
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