Shift to P then Desired Gear - 2017 RAM 1500 Limited

[Wild one]

Does the Valvoline MaxLife have the same properties as the Mopar ZF fluid?

In some respects a bit better.Search Mikes/Burla's post i think he dug up the properties of both awhile ago,and has them posted

 

[Shawn Burns]

One other issue that can be a variable on setting the proper fluid level... When leveling your truck, the directions advise to level front to back and side to side on the pan. The first time I changed the fluid and had some weird shifting due to a slightly low level, I believe was because I didn't take the time to level side to side.

I did this last time and it shifts great.

 

[joesstripclub]

Does the Valvoline MaxLife have the same properties as the Mopar ZF fluid?

It's very similar, definitely different from ATF+4. When I was researching transmission fluids for my truck, there are a couple new classes out, LV (low viscosity) and ULV (ultra low viscosity). I think those might have been Ford's names for them, but it gets the point across. I think the fluid for our trucks most closely matches LV specs.

 

[62Blazer]

This issue is pretty interesting, and the OP has provided a LOT more detail than you usually see when somebody posts about some sort of issues. My first comment is that coincidences are not that common especially in the automotive repair game. What that means is that the OP states they never had an issue prior to replacing the battery, and immediately after replacing the battery the issue started. The chances that something completely unrelated to the battery replacement (or some sort of sensor getting accidentally hit or wiring pinched in the process of replacing the battery...) suddenly failed at this time would be quite the coincidence and therefore very unusual. The first step I always recommend in this situation is to look closely at the repair you just did....again, not just the fact you replaced the battery but is there anything around the battery you might have accidently hit or damaged? Did something short out when you rehooked the battery cables?

 

[SwiFtEnRo]

This issue is pretty interesting, and the OP has provided a LOT more detail than you usually see when somebody posts about some sort of issues. My first comment is that coincidences are not that common especially in the automotive repair game. What that means is that the OP states they never had an issue prior to replacing the battery, and immediately after replacing the battery the issue started. The chances that something completely unrelated to the battery replacement (or some sort of sensor getting accidentally hit or wiring pinched in the process of replacing the battery...) suddenly failed at this time would be quite the coincidence and therefore very unusual. The first step I always recommend in this situation is to look closely at the repair you just did....again, not just the fact you replaced the battery but is there anything around the battery you might have accidently hit or damaged? Did something short out when you rehooked the battery cables?

@62Blazer I appreciate the praise for my detail. Personally, when I wrote up the first post I wrote it up how I wish I could have found it somewhere on the internet. I love tinkering with things including vehicles but when working on my own I get frustrated because I need my truck to get to work and back.

I also agree with your point though and still don't understand how right after changing the battery suddenly the transmission fluid was a problem. I will say it's been about 2 weeks now since the work on my truck has been done and I've had zero issues. I also find it strange that I was able to run ATF+4 and 1qt short oil in my transmission for 18 months with also zero issues. I never noticed any hard shifting or loss of power. I still believe that the issue was something electrical and when I brought it in they also noticed the oil so they reset some sensors and also charged me for the oil. Either way, I like doing things right and I had no issues shelling out the money for the expensive Mopar tears they call "ZF Fluid".

For anyone having the error "Shift to P then Desired Gear" I guess I would start with the transmission fluid. Do you have enough and is it the right fluid? Worked for me.