30K Transmission and Power steering flush

[grmalone]

I am bringing my 2011 1500 Hemi 4x4 in for it's 30K mile service. I did the plugs myself, but just want to get everything inspected etc. The dealer is strongly pushing to have the transmission and power steering fluid changed (without even inspecting the vehicle first). It seems like it is way to early for this work to be needed? Is there something I am missing?

 

[loveracing1988]

What does your owners manual say to do at 30k?

 

[jwheeler]

If they haven't even looked at it, they are just trying to get some money out of you. Don't believe trans service is due until 100k. Neither of these are going to hurt. Fresh fluids can only help. But if they haven't seen the truck, they are just trying to sell something.

 

[Burla]

Take it to oil stop, they will show you a sample of your oil and let you know if it is dirty.

 

[NYCruiser]

Not sure if its the same for a 2011, but my 2014 owner's manual says to change tranny filter and fluid on the six speed at 60K miles if "police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing". Other wise, it says 120K miles.

I don't have power steering fluid.

 

[82Crew]

The point of maintenance is so your fluids don't get dark and nasty.

 

[14hemiexpress]

It's up to you but 30k seems little early to me. I like to do transmission fluid around 60-70k The best thing to do would be to follow the owners manual.

 

[BlownGP]

I did my trans change at 50K. Just cuz, put on a deeper 4x4 pan and filter.

 

[apepe0738]

On my 2011, the dealer recommended the same thing, along with the transfer case and both differentials. Can't remember if the manual said anything or not. I didn't do the trans flush, but I changed the diffs and transfer case myself and wished I hadn't, just because everything was still new. Seemed like a waste of money in the end. I say take your truck into a shop that can test the fluids before you spend the money to get it changed...

 

[jlb]

I did my trans at 30k, and swapped to Redline, did a redneck flush, so I think I got most of it out. It recommends like stated above a 60k service for heavy usage. Diffs are recommended at 25k-30k, can't remember exactly where. I just did my rear at 30k, and am glad I did, there were a lot of metal particulates in the oil, but everything in the casing looked alright. I didn't do the front since I haven't used 4x4 much, and the front axle disconnects when in 2wd. Maybe I will do it around 50k.

 

[BlownGP]

I did my trans at 30k, and swapped to Redline, did a redneck flush, so I think I got most of it out. It recommends like stated above a 60k service for heavy usage. Diffs are recommended at 25k-30k, can't remember exactly where. I just did my rear at 30k, and am glad I did, there were a lot of metal particulates in the oil, but everything in the casing looked alright. I didn't do the front since I haven't used 4x4 much, and the front axle disconnects when in 2wd. Maybe I will do it around 50k.

That's one thing I want to do soon is change the diff oil.

 

[NYCruiser]

You'll be amazed how cruddy the rear diff oil will come out even after 15-20K miles.

 

[blackbetty14]

Manual says 120k for tranny on my 2014, the darn radiator fluid is good for 10 years or 100,000 miles lol.

No one ever talks about the brake fluid!

Save your money and do the diffs like Ppl are saying.

 

[StoneRam]

What are you guys using to go back in when changing the diff?

 

[BlownGP]

You'll be amazed how cruddy the rear diff oil will come out even after 15-20K miles.

Interesting, Should I go with royal purple?

 

[NYCruiser]

Interesting, Should I go with royal purple?

I'm not a royal purple fan. Always thought the purple die seemed gimmicky. Any quality synthetic should do the trick though.

Owner's manual says for the rear diff:
We recommend you use MOPAR® Synthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W-140 (MS-
8985). Limited-Slip Rear Axles require the addition of 5 oz. (148 ml) MOPAR®
Limited Slip Additive (MS-10111).

The key there is the "MS-8985" and "MS-10111" specs that the oil is supposed to meet. If an oil is tested to meet those specs it should be indicated on the label.

 

[jlb]

I used Mobil 1 75-140 LS. Haven't done much with it since, but haven't noticed any issues either. The M1 LS already has the additive in it, and saves you the trouble of adding.

Also used a Felpro gasket for simplicity, and I couldn't be happier overall. Unless of course it actually made my LS diff work like a LS diff.