Is it too late to change tranny filter

[imamess]

I have a 2017 big horn with around 91k on it. Is it too late to change tranny filter and fluid? No problems atm just wanted a new filter\fluid put in.
*edit* I bought this truck used and I believe filter has never been changed.
Thnx

Without a dipstick (I have a few choice words for the "person" that thought this was a good idea) there is no way to know the condition of the fluid without opening it up. I'd change it. If the transmission dies shortly after it was going to die anyway. The idea of changing the fluid kills transmissions was invented by people that don't know a lug wrench from a screw driver.

 

[imamess]

I have a 2017 big horn with around 91k on it. Is it too late to change tranny filter and fluid? No problems atm just wanted a new filter\fluid put in.
*edit* I bought this truck used and I believe filter has never been changed.
Thnx

Without a dipstick (I have a few choice words for the "person" that thought this was a good idea) there is no way to know the condition of the fluid without opening it up. I'd change it, fluid is cheaper than a new transmission. If the transmission dies shortly after it was going to die anyway. The idea of changing the fluid kills transmissions was invented by people that don't know a lug wrench from a screw driver.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Without a dipstick (I have a few choice words for the "person" that thought this was a good idea) there is no way to know the condition of the fluid without opening it up. I'd change it. If the transmission dies shortly after it was going to die anyway. The idea of changing the fluid kills transmissions was invented by people that don't know a lug wrench from a screw driver.

It wasn't "a person" who thought up the idea of no dipstick. It was the idiot BYB mechanic and clueless vehicle owners who never read the instructions as to HOW to PROPERLY fill an automatic transmission that brought this reality into being. The manufacturers got damned good and tired of paying warranty overhaul/ replacement claims on transmissions which had been improperly filled which WILL DESTROY a transmission IN A HURRY!

 

[KenOfAZ]

How much does a dealership charge for a transmission filter and fluid change?

 

[Loudram]

Without a dipstick (I have a few choice words for the "person" that thought this was a good idea) there is no way to know the condition of the fluid without opening it up. I'd change it, fluid is cheaper than a new transmission. If the transmission dies shortly after it was going to die anyway. The idea of changing the fluid kills transmissions was invented by people that don't know a lug wrench from a screw driver.

And now we don't have to worry about those pesky oil dipsticks either. Isn't technology just peachy. My next truck is probably going to be a 2500 with a 6.4.

 

[Justin33]

Well I guess I should have tranny fluid changed as I have a 15 with 50k miles and it’s never been done.

 

[Wild one]

How much does a dealership charge for a transmission filter and fluid change?

Enough you'll probably want to do it yourself

 

[farout75]

I have a 2017 big horn with around 91k on it. Is it too late to change tranny filter and fluid? No problems atm just wanted a new filter\fluid put in.
*edit* I bought this truck used and I believe filter has never been changed.
Thnx

The owners manual calls for 120,000 miles, unless you have been towing. The filter pan which us plastic and the correct ZF fluid is pretty costly. ZF says the fluid is lifetime. On my 19 Ram limited I am not going to change it until its got 180,000 miles. I changes my plugs in my 17 RAM at 100,000 miles and they looked brand new, so I am going to run them until at least 150,00 or until I have a miss. The cost of the plugs to have that done is over $500.

 

[Wild one]

The owners manual calls for 120,000 miles, unless you have been towing. The filter pan which us plastic and the correct ZF fluid is pretty costly. ZF says the fluid is lifetime. On my 19 Ram limited I am not going to change it until its got 180,000 miles. I changes my plugs in my 17 RAM at 100,000 miles and they looked brand new, so I am going to run them until at least 150,00 or until I have a miss. The cost of the plugs to have that done is over $500.

ZF DOES NOT say the fluid is LIFETIME,Chrysler is the one saying it's lifetime.ZF reconmends changing the fluid between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or every 8 years whichever comes first.
Who you want to believe is up to you,but i'm not so inclined to believe the outfit that's trying to sell me a new vehicle every 3 years

 

[0x00]

That's about the dumbest advice i've seen anybody give.You have no clue how his truck has been used,but you seem to think you're smarter then ZF who reconmends changing the fluid between 50,000 and 80,000 miles or every 8 years. It's advice like that,that keeps manufactures in business.
OP you're right in the ballpark for doing a fluid/filter change as you're at the 8 year limit,and at about the right milege

AndyMax is correct. Change it but don't panic. It was never suggested to wait excessively long; it was just mentioned that that is what happened.

 

[0x00]

If you shop around you can get a nice aftermarket pan and filter and not screw around with the fragile plastic that might well break during the service.

 

[Gary Fields]

Go ahead and change it, it won't hurt anything. The old tale of changing old fluid and then having the transmission fail is true, but it's not due to the fluid. Over time a transmission will have wear and slowly build up varnish/gunk on moving parts. Quite often the "gunk" will keep parts from slipping. The new fluid you add contains detergents that will clean the gunk and varnish off parts. It also has friction reducers that let parts move easily, even if not desired. Owners often believe the new fluid ruined the transmission, it did not ruin it- it cleaned it. Now the true condition of the transmission is apparent. New fluid won't damage it, it just moves up the timetable to rebuild.

 

[Floyd1979]

I ask my service advisor and he notes it every time I go in for oil change or service.
Transmission fluid is lifetime .
2020 Lonestar crewcab Rambox hemi
171,000 miles

I have the Maxcare 7 yr warranty, unlimited miles

 

[Wild one]

I ask my service advisor and he notes it every time I go in for oil change or service.
Transmission fluid is lifetime .
2020 Lonestar crewcab Rambox hemi
171,000 miles

I have the Maxcare 7 yr warranty, unlimited miles

What the manual fails to mention is Chryslers version of lifetime is 75,000 miles,just enough to be past warrenty

 

[Sherman Bird]

What the manual fails to mention is Chryslers version of lifetime is 75,000 miles,just enough to be past warrenty

The lifetime aspect of ANY product is a concept only. It touches on the fantasy that some thing can last forever. As long as there are people, the mesmerizing aspect of "Free", Lifetime", or any other too good to be true ideation will live on.

But, who am I to judge.... I tell my doctor that I'm STILL searching for the fountain of youth!
You and I know where that is, eh? At the end of the rainbow, near the pot of gold and in the same meadow of buttercups as the unicorn!

 

[Wild one]

The lifetime aspect of ANY product is a concept only. It touches on the fantasy that some thing can last forever. As long as there are people, the mesmerizing aspect of "Free", Lifetime", or any other too good to be true ideation will live on.

But, who am I to judge.... I tell my doctor that I'm STILL searching for the fountain of youth!
You and I know where that is, eh? At the end of the rainbow, near the pot of gold and in the same meadow of buttercups as the unicorn!

Now that last paragraph made my Monday morning

 

[Govtman]

Definitely do it. I just did mine at 150k with a PPE aluminium +2 pan and Valvoline Syn. Extended Protection (gray bottle)
Noticed difference right away. Also trans is running ~15 degrees cooler than before.

 

[nlambert182]

Well, if you think about it... it's a great one-time marketing ploy. Lifetime fluid just means that it's good for the lifetime of the transmission. If the transmission dies, then the fluid has reached the life expectancy. It doesn't consider if the fluid extends or shortens that lifetime. A lifetime is just a beginning to an end.

Similarly in marketing....
Something that comes up a lot in manufacturing is the term "Made in the USA". Some may see parts with that blurb and assume that it was built here even if it looks like it's a knock-off or Chinese. What some marketing geniuses do (and this isn't legal in the states) is use MADE as an acronym. Manufacturing and Design Engineering in the USA. Completely built overseas.

We've ran into this marketing tactic a few times over the years. It's dishonest at best, but does a great job at convincing to buy something they otherwise may shy away from.