Transmission Fluid / Service

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Podcast

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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.
Read what was stated. Never did I say it was a Stellantis product. I said it is IN a Stellantis product and therefore whatever recommendations are made from there is what is followed. ZF can make recommendations however they are not the final retailer. To discredit someone for giving sound manufacture recommendations is as negligent as it gets. @JPT stated this correctly and gave good detail as to why. These transmissions are extremely sensitive. I have seen aftermarket shops ruin these "rebuilding" them and simply servicing them. There's a reason they are classified as a non-serviceable transmission. Giving those who do not understand this poor advice and them reaping those consequences is flat out wrong.
 
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HEMIMANN

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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.
+ duct tape!
 

HEMIMANN

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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.

Having worked for 3 OEM's as a design engineer and manager, it is just plain wrong for the installer to claim they know more than the OEM supplier. Period.

That transmission needs oil changes every 50-60k miles, along with filter. The fact they made it exceedingly cumbersome notwithstanding. Incredible misapplication by Stellantis.
 

Dodge 1500 4X4

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Giving those who do not understand this poor advice and them reaping those consequences is flat out wrong.
You sir are the typical nonservice department that these stealers employ, the reason most people avoid like the corrupt economy we have right now, the horror stories that come from your service department continue there are no more service techs left just parts changers that load the parts cannon in an ill attempt for a undiagnosed repair, your opinion is not wanted here so go away Mr. Darial Vanhorn!!!
 

Wild one

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Read what was stated. Never did I say it was a Stellantis product. I said it is IN a Stellantis product and therefore whatever recommendations are made from there is what is followed. ZF can make recommendations however they are not the final retailer. To discredit someone for giving sound manufacture recommendations is as negligent as it gets. @JPT stated this correctly and gave good detail as to why. These transmissions are extremely sensitive. I have seen aftermarket shops ruin these "rebuilding" them and simply servicing them. There's a reason they are classified as a non-serviceable transmission. Giving those who do not understand this poor advice and them reaping those consequences is flat out wrong.
Let me guess we're dealing with Mr Don Dillman. You sir are full of incorrect information.How can the purchaser aka Stellantis/FCA over rule the manufacturer ZF of ZF's line of transmissions. I'm not sure where you grew up,but the manufacturer of a product always over rules the buyer of said product ,especially when it comes to servicing said product ,at least it does where i grew up. ;)

 
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Podcast

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Let me guess we're dealing with Mr Don Dillman. You sir are full of incorrect information.How can the purchaser aka Stellantis/FCA over rule the manufacturer ZF of ZF's line of transmissions. I'm not sure where you grew up,but the manufacturer of a product always over rules the buyer of said product ,especially when it comes to servicing said product ,at least it does where i grew up. ;)

Not who I am, time to move on. I no longer work there.

Do you not think that there is information passed between ZF and Stellantis recommendations and ZF said yes they are capable? Do you not believe these transmissions are capable to run 300k without service? Fact is that most do. These transmissions are built to out last the motors in our trucks. As JPT stated the failures on these transmissions is not due to any lack of maintenance and most if not 99% of owners follow the maintenance recommendations and do not service these. The failures are due to ZF manufacture issues stemming from the factory.

The basic facts remain the same. The OP bought a Ram and the recommendation is that these transmissions are not serviceable. So the recommendation that his dealership gave him is solid info. It's not pulled out of some magic hat. One of my best transmission techs I've worked with in the past contacts ZF from time to time for troubleshooting issues. They've recommended NOT to service these since the environment is not sufficiently controlled as it is in their factory. Argue with yourself over it.
 
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Wild one

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Not who I am, time to move on. I no longer work there.

Do you not think that there is information passed between ZF and Stellantis recommendations and ZF said yes they are capable? Do you not believe these transmissions are capable to run 300k without service? Fact is that most do. These transmissions are built to out last the motors in our trucks. As JPT stated the failures on these transmissions is not due to any lack of maintenance and most if not 99% of owners follow the maintenance recommendations and do not service these. The failures are due to ZF manufacture issues stemming from the factory.

The basic facts remain the same. The OP bought a Ram and the recommendation is that these transmissions are not serviceable. So the recommendation that his dealership gave him is solid info. It's not pulled out of some magic hat. One of my best transmission techs I've worked with in the past contacts ZF from time to time for troubleshooting issues. They've recommended NOT to service these since the environment is not sufficiently controlled as it is in their factory. Argue with yourself over it.
And you sir are one of the reasons why the general public doesn't trust dealership service departments anymore. For any of you guys who do want to service you're 8 speed,here are the instructions for checking the fluid level after replacing the pan and filter. These are the factory instructions that come with every brand new and Chryco rebuilt 8HP70 ,which i'm sure our esteemed service manager Podcast will confirm,if he'll get off his rear and go look in the crate a new transmission comes in. Pay attention to the first high lighted paragraph,you have to jack the rear tires up a fair amount to get the transmissions pan rail level.
 

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turkeybird56

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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.
Ouch ..... BOIRD ducks at all the shots going over the bows of the RAMS.

I do wish the trannys, I have the HP 75 in MY Gen 5 2019 were more friendly to service. Like a screw on filter, drain plug, better pan access, not have to jack up a rear end to get level, start/turn off, run, heat up, cool, WHAT a MAJOR PITA. (not even saying buy a New pan w/installed filter) BUT ZF does make pretty nice smooth pretty dependable trannys now. My own thought is, light use, tow once in a blue moon, get stuff, get groceries, not put on a Ka zillion miles, yer trannys probably outlast the truck, especially if U live in the salt zone. ALL IMHO !!!!!
 
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Pat G

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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.
Thank you, that is exactly what they told me, that it was lifetime, and never needed to be changed.
 

joesstripclub

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I'm guessing that Stellantis says the transmission isn't serviceable because most technicians aren't competent enough nowadays to rebuild a transmission properly just as most can't rebuild an engine properly. It is easier and faster for them to just swap in a new unit. I also think there is a difference between serviceability and maintainability. If they dont want to service a transmission when its damaged is one thing, but to say that fluid maintenance is not achievable just feeds everyone's opinion that the perceived "lifetime" of the transmission is 60,001 miles. It isn't rocket science to change the fluid on one of these.
 

BigFrog

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Reminds me of my 2005 Ford F150. It stated no spark plug change until 100,000 miles. Well, the end of 2021 I hit 100,000 mile mark. Every dang spark plug (I stopped at 4 of 8) snapped off (even with the "special tool"). Had to have the whole top end pulled just to get the dark plugs out. A $100 job turned into a $3000 job.

Ford had used a 3 piece fused spark plug that didn't hold up to the heat, so they snapped apart if you waited 100,000 miles. I found out after the fact. I believe there was a class action lawsuit and the settlement, $33 dollars each litigant. In conclusion, I'm a Ram owner now.
 

Bamaboy1969

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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?
That's what 2 different transmission mechanics at 2 different Dodge Dealerships told me too that they're a self cleaning transmission.
 

Juice17

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100,000 miles your lucky. 2019 got a new trans at 40,000 miles. No reverse and wouldn't come out of first gear
 

Tominator223

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I’ve got a 04 545rfe . Hemi with the 5 speed. I did the trans filters (2) & 7 or so quarts. About every 30k . Thats thousand . On trans. At 300k the clutch’s were gone . I drive it hard not much towing . Most places don’t like changing trans fluid & filters after 50-60k. Because they fear it will go bad . Especially if it’s flushed. Then they’d have to buy you another trans. I was taught to only flush a automatic trans if the engine has overheated. That usually boils the trans fluid. NotGood. As for oil changes with modern oil . 1000 miles per quart of oil is a good rule of thumb. Oil today is a lot better. My current gen 3 hemi is right at 300thousand. Running a 180 thermostat I believe helps as well.
 

Daw14

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That's what 2 different transmission mechanics at 2 different Dodge Dealerships told me too that they're a self cleaning transmission.
Self cleaning ? That’s new to me , never heard of any filters or fluid like that . All the more reason to never go to a dealer, they are full of shi Nola . Verification that most are clueless.
 

Sherman Bird

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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?
Well, if one is gullible enough to buy ocean front property in Arizona, then there might be some validity to the claim to lifetime fluids. The Hindenburg wasn't supposed to crash and burn, but it did. I can only chalk such hubris up to arrogance on the part of anyone touting such garbage, in the context that they believe us peons to be too stupid to know different. Funny, though, we have gut feelings and common sense that warn us of such idiocy. I refer to my "BS" meter as being pegged.

In a nutshell, consult a trustworthy and unbiased professional technician to give you good, sound advice and guidance in the long term care of your car. Dealers make their big money in sales of new and used vehicles. Always have. Their motive to keep you in your truck for the long haul is non-existent.
 

Sherman Bird

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Self cleaning ? That’s new to me , never heard of any filters or fluid like that . All the more reason to never go to a dealer, they are full of shi Nola . Verification that most are clueless.
Well, the idea of self installing parts and components comes to mind! ;)
 

2019RamInSC

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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?
Good news is that the Dealer was being honest with you and not just saying COME ON DOWN :) Whether he was wrong or not is another story apparently.
 

turkeybird56

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Well, the idea of self installing parts and components comes to mind! ;)
The Immaculate Automotive Concept of maintenance done by the maintenance fairy.
 
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