5.7 Transmission fluid change

[wrench78]

My 2017 Hemi just turned 100k. I was thinking about doing a transmission fluid and filter change. Called the dealership and they tell me it's a sealed unit that it doesn't need to be changed except for problems. Has anyone else been told this? Any truth to this?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

My 2017 Hemi just turned 100k. I was thinking about doing a transmission fluid and filter change. Called the dealership and they tell me it's a sealed unit that it doesn't need to be changed except for problems. Has anyone else been told this? Any truth to this?

A true crock of p_oo-p!!!
The dealership is lazy and complacent, and no fluid is ever "lifetime"

It is very important, especially if you plan on keeping your rig, to change the transmission fluid and filter.

If you're handy, it's really not a difficult thing to undertake yourself.
If not, then ensure you get the correct parts and take it to a very trusted technician to do it.

Only use MOPAR or Valvoline MaxLife trans fluid, and only MOPAR filter kit, or the upgrade PPE transmission pan with their replaceable filters.

This would also be a very good opportunity for you to install the @caulk04 transmission cooler bypass valve upgrade as well.

This mod is 100% trusted and supported by the collective here on our forum. I myself have purchased about 8 of them so far for my and family/friends vehicles.

This upgrade drops the transmission temps by up to 30deg/c, and the engine temps by 3 to 5 deg/c as well.

However, one MUST follow the prescribed fluid/filter change procedure to a "T", period!!!
This is crucial to ensuing the fluid level is 100% correct.

These transmissions DO NOT like it when they aren't filled properly

https://www.ramforum.com/attachments/img_3383-2-jpg.552062/

 

[Wild one]

My 2017 Hemi just turned 100k. I was thinking about doing a transmission fluid and filter change. Called the dealership and they tell me it's a sealed unit that it doesn't need to be changed except for problems. Has anyone else been told this? Any truth to this?

ZF says to service the 8 speed between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or every 8 years ,Chyrsler says it's sealed for life,who you want to believe is up to you,but me,i'm not so inclined to believe the outfit that's in the business of trying to sell me a new vehicle every 3 years,i'm more inclined to believe the outfit that's behind the transmissions design

 

[wrench78]

Now, I did find this in the owners manual. Page 654

Fluid And Filter Changes — Eight-Speed
Transmission
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the life
of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. However,
change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes contaminated
(with water, etc.), or if the transmission is disassembled
for any reason.

 

[Wild one]

Now, I did find this in the owners manual. Page 654

Fluid And Filter Changes — Eight-Speed
Transmission
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the life
of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. However,
change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes contaminated
(with water, etc.), or if the transmission is disassembled
for any reason.

The transmission isn't actually sealed either,it has a vent tube on the top of the case to allow for fluid expansion and contraction,other wise it'd blow seals when it warms up.It can attract moisture/condensation/dust through the vent tube

 

[SD2020]

I would drop the pan and clean it out, replace the filters, new gasket, then top it up with fresh fluid. I did my 2011 recently and it was easy. Not sure if a 2017 is much different.

 

[wrench78]

My main concern is that I still have a powertrain warranty. I'm afraid if I crack it open to do the flush and filter, and something happens, they won't honor the warranty.

 

[EdGs]

My main concern is that I still have a powertrain warranty. I'm afraid if I crack it open to do the flush and filter, and something happens, they won't honor the warranty.

In that case, I would only use a Mopar pan and Mopar 8+9 speed or ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid. Pan and filter are one unit, and comes with new screws and a fill plug.

You will need about 6 quarts of fluid, I would buy 7 just in case. My 8HP70 took about 5-1/2 qts.

 

[Burla]

My main concern is that I still have a powertrain warranty. I'm afraid if I crack it open to do the flush and filter, and something happens, they won't honor the warranty.

then the only option is don't do it or pay the dealer to do it. Pay the dealer to do it then there is a two video how to just to check the level, which I would highly recommend.

warning. you gonna get sticker shock on the cost, you will likely say no I said change the fluid not the transmission.

It's way past due, black fluid by now for sure.

.

 

[EdGs]

My main concern is that I still have a powertrain warranty. I'm afraid if I crack it open to do the flush and filter, and something happens, they won't honor the warranty.

The procedure for a fluid drain and fill isn't super hard. If you have tools and some mechanical inclination it is doable.

But, as @Burla stated, if you're not comfortable with DIY, have a dealer do it, but +1 on the recommendation to know how to check their work.

My fluid vs new at 108k miles:

 

[Wild one]

My main concern is that I still have a powertrain warranty. I'm afraid if I crack it open to do the flush and filter, and something happens, they won't honor the warranty.

As Ed stated use a OEM pan,and the OEM fluid,and then you won't have any warrenty issues.

 

[Glen Harrison]

I had a chat at the Dealer on Saturday . The 8 speed 2020 - present are a sealed unit with " lifetime " oil . The filter is integral part of the valve body and it is not recommended to mess with it as long as the warranty is still on . Plus because there is no dip stick there is no way to refill the trans with out the official Morpar tool . so this would be ridiculously expensive . So they say drive it till it falls out your gonna spend a lot of money either way . Fortunately I have another 50k on my warranty.

 

[caulk04]

I had a chat at the Dealer on Saturday . The 8 speed 2020 - present are a sealed unit with " lifetime " oil . The filter is integral part of the valve body and it is not recommended to mess with it as long as the warranty is still on . Plus because there is no dip stick there is no way to refill the trans with out the official Morpar tool . so this would be ridiculously expensive . So they say drive it till it falls out your gonna spend a lot of money either way . Fortunately I have another 50k on my warranty.

That is largely incorrect information.

The filter is part of the pan, not the valve body. Fluid level check does not require a special Mopar tool. The trans is not sealed and should be serviced regularly, regardless of what Ram puts on the manual.

I'd bet that most of them will last 120k+ without service, but that's not long enough for me. I want it to last 300k, so I'm going to service it and every other fluid in my vehicles.

 

[Hemi395]

To the OP, you most definitely want to change that fluid/pan/filter if you plan on keeping the truck. If that dealer won't change it for you, find one that will. If you've done trans services before it's not much different than that other than the fill procedure. If you do decide to do it yourself, invest in some sort of mechanical or pressure pump for the fluid. Pumping in 5+ qts of fluid with a hand pump is NOT fun.

Just throwing .02 out there on maintenance...

The maintenance schedule in the owners manual is what is minimally required to meet warranty purposes. 10,000 mile oil changes, "lifetime" transmission fluid, etc is nothing more than marketing technique to sell a lower cost of maintenance. Auto manufacturers want you to have high repair bills as your vehicle ages. Then they get your money through repairs/parts, or you just get fed up and buy a new vehicle.

Also keep in mind the dealer is ultimately in the business of selling vehicles, not giving advice on how to make your current vehicle last as long as possible.

 

[Burla]

Jay Pan.

 

[Wild one]

I had a chat at the Dealer on Saturday . The 8 speed 2020 - present are a sealed unit with " lifetime " oil . The filter is integral part of the valve body and it is not recommended to mess with it as long as the warranty is still on . Plus because there is no dip stick there is no way to refill the trans with out the official Morpar tool . so this would be ridiculously expensive . So they say drive it till it falls out your gonna spend a lot of money either way . Fortunately I have another 50k on my warranty.

The transmission is not "sealed" if it was it'd blow every seal when it got up to operating temp.The vent tube is on the top of the transmission to allow for expansion and contraction.If you dig around your engine bay,you'll find a hose that seems to go to nowhere,if you follow that hose,back down behind the engine,you'll see it's connected to a fitting on the top of the transmission,that's the vent hose
Hopefully you don't deal with that dealer very often,as they're feeding you a line of BS

 

[katywoodworker]

I have heard from 2 dealers,, 1 that I trust, that the tranny fluid does not need to be changed as the tranny is a throwaway item. I bought the Max Life unlimited warranty. My truck has 111k miles and it is starting to act up. So far my warranty has covered the gas tank sending unit, and 2 sets of exhaust bolts. The gas gauge is acting up again.

 

[Gom]

I don't remember what the dealer quoted me 10k miles ago but it was well over $1k to do the fluid change. Just stupid, they clearly didn't want to do it as well.

 

[EdGs]

I called my dealer to schedule a fluid change, twice.

They failed to call me back to schedule it, twice.

I was fully prepared to get bent over and pay for it, but their failure to call me back, along with encouragement from the members here, gave me the confidence to DIY.

So glad that that dealer failed to call me back twice. As a result, they get 0 business from me.

 

[EdGs]

I don't remember what the dealer quoted me 10k miles ago but it was well over $1k to do the fluid change. Just stupid, they clearly didn't want to do it as well.

That's not necessarily a bad price, the parts dept. quoted me $29/qt. for fluid and $270 for the pan/filter. That was 4 years ago, I don't think it's gotten any cheaper since.

$500 in parts and throw in a couple hours labor, and you're in the $1k neighborhood, easy.