Transmission flush

[Jdoc]

Bottom line, you need to decide whether you will do a full transmission flush. It can be a two day job and dropping the pan and putting it back correctly, it takes a good amount of time for the atf to dry and cure before filling. it is such a pita for most folks that is why I highly recommend using redline transmission fluids. It is an ester based fluid that doesn't break down with heat like a mineral oil does, it doubles or triples the interval.

For the 6 speed the correct redline transmission fluid is C+, for the 8 speed the correct redline fluid is d6. For the 6 speed it is a no brainer, redline is the way to go. If you have the 8 speed, you can also opt for ZF pao based fluid. Vendor here Nick at got exhaust has dirt cheap prices on redline, saves you over the posted prices on redline site. Last I checked I could not find anyone who sells it cheaper. PM nick from ram forum, you will be blown away how low he sells it. This stuff is the real deal, redline hardly ever puts sales on their products. It isn't cheap to make, and that industry is so competitive it is hard to sell stuff that costs more. However, redline thrives because they make the best stuff. Up front cost is a little more, but since you double the interval is pays for itself, not to mention the labor to change the fluid.

For towing heavy you really should consider redline in gears and transmission, engine doesn't matter as much.

 

[moulin6801]

I can only say that my 2014 has 130k, still drives like new, never cHanged transmission oil and not planning too. I’m not handy, so dealer would have to do it, and I don’t trust them. So instead of them screwing with my nice truck, will save the money and keep driving it!

 

[Trail Ryder]

What does FCA recommend? And what are you guys paying for a transmission service at your dealers?

I have 2015 5.7L 8-Speed 4X4 with under 55,000 miles and I have never towed more than 3,000 lbs.

 

[chrisbh17]

What does FCA recommend? And what are you guys paying for a transmission service at your dealers?

I have 2015 5.7L 8-Speed 4X4 with under 55,000 miles and I have never towed more than 3,000 lbs.

Thats just it, FCA recommends and requires "nothing". The trans is "lifetime sealed".

Thats the issue....whose lifetime? Years or miles?

The manufacturer of the transmission does not say its lifetime sealed, so why does FCA?

If I pay an FCA dealer to change the "lifetime" fluid and the transmissin dies, did I void the warranty on the trans because I didnt follow their "no recommendation" maintenance schedule?

 

[TXCOMT]

If I pay an FCA dealer to change the "lifetime" fluid and the transmissin dies, did I void the warranty on the trans because I didnt follow their "no recommendation" maintenance schedule?

The million-dollar question right there!

TXCOMT

 

[Patrik Williams]

RFE series of transmission is good, and there are three approaches to fluid changes depending on how when the vehicle was acquired.

1. Change the fluid using OEM Mopar fluid via pan drop every 25-30K miles. Never overheat the transmission.

2. Never touch the transmission and wait for the rebuild, and then pick up the 25-30K fluid change interval.

3. Wait a long time and begin to think its a good idea to change the fluid. The issue that has been brought up with changing the fluid this late in the service cycle is dislodging stuff and disrupting parts that have just been working together. You can change the fluid and take your chances. At the 102K range it will depend on the color and quality of the liquid and it a coin toss if changing the fluid will cause any damage down the road. My brother's Jeep Grand Cherokee which has the same transmission needed a rebuild after 10K miles after a fluid change. Related? It is just one data point, but I have read similar experiences on the forums.

 

[Trail Ryder]

My brother's Jeep Grand Cherokee which has the same transmission needed a rebuild after 10K miles after a fluid change.

FCA built 8-Speeed or ZF built 8-Speed?

 

[meedom]

ZF

 

[Burla]

The 8 speed is a big ol cluster **** when it comes to changing the fluid. I'd kill myself twice before even checking the fluid level. I'd leave the thing closed and buy a new truck around 200k miles if I got there.

 

[Matts175]

NEVER flush. My next door neighbor let the service place talk him into a flush on his 2013 GMC Sierra. Guess what? A few days later it suddenly wouldn't downshift when you slowed down. Some kind of valve was stuck. Flushing loosens up dirt that shouldn't be loosened and puts it into parts where it causes major problems. He took it back and they flushed it AGAIN and it was saved, but still... what a nightmare.

 

[FrizNism]

The 8 speed is a good trans, but a pia to service.

 

[FrizNism]

I just go a quote of $1500 from the dealer to flush the transmission on my 2016 8 speed. Wtf?! He said he did not reccomend it until 100k-120k miles. I use my truck to tow a tool trailer nearly daily and I live in the mountains so I’m a little conflicted as to what to do. I’m at 65,000 miles so I think I still have some time to figure it out I guess.

 

[huntergreen]

I would suggest just dropping the pan and refill, but checking the level after refilling is a complicated task.

 

[HammerHead]

I just go a quote of $1500 from the dealer to flush the transmission on my 2016 8 speed. Wtf?! He said he did not reccomend it until 100k-120k miles. I use my truck to tow a tool trailer nearly daily and I live in the mountains so I’m a little conflicted as to what to do. I’m at 65,000 miles so I think I still have some time to figure it out I guess.

$1500???? For a transmission service??? What a joke!

 

[Burla]

I just go a quote of $1500 from the dealer to flush the transmission on my 2016 8 speed. Wtf?! He said he did not reccomend it until 100k-120k miles. I use my truck to tow a tool trailer nearly daily and I live in the mountains so I’m a little conflicted as to what to do. I’m at 65,000 miles so I think I still have some time to figure it out I guess.

you should have asked him how much to replace it. I've heard close to that number for flush, it is a **** product to service the fluid they use is over 30 bucks a qrt times 14 or more qrts = 400 dollars worth of fluid, plus pan is a filter so you need a new pan/filter when you change, another 300, add tax and 1500 is about 700 labor the rest you get it, but I heard it was only 4500 to replace. So if you do 3 flushes by the time it hits 200k miles, you will have a 3 times flushed old 8 speed, or you skip the flushes hope it makes 200k and get a new one, all the same price. I'm guessing this is why they call that a lifetime fluid.

 

[Burla]

NEW OEM Mopar SRT 8HP70 8-Speed Automatic Transmission 4WD

$4500 brand new srt 8 speed, I would either learn to flush it myself, or take my chances knowing what a new one would cost.

 

[Burla]

option b, do your own... Second video is really good, RIP shawn. Pretty sure shawn has a couple up, look at his channel. mind you these are the 8 speed.

 

[Wild one]

you should have asked him how much to replace it. I've heard close to that number for flush, it is a **** product to service the fluid they use is over 30 bucks a qrt times 14 or more qrts = 400 dollars worth of fluid, plus pan is a filter so you need a new pan/filter when you change, another 300, add tax and 1500 is about 700 labor the rest you get it, but I heard it was only 4500 to replace. So if you do 3 flushes by the time it hits 200k miles, you will have a 3 times flushed old 8 speed, or you skip the flushes hope it makes 200k and get a new one, all the same price. I'm guessing this is why they call that a lifetime fluid.

Holy ****,you been drinking Burla,you seem to have a hard-on against the ZF tranny tonight.Contary to your thoughts it's a hell'va good transmission,and blows the older RFE trannies into the weeds as far as longevity and torque capabilities go.For a guy who's never had one or serviced one,you sure make the service procedure seem a lot harder then it is.It's just a matter of following a couple steps,and the steps aren't that hard to follow.Sure buying the fluid is pricey,which i'll give you is the biggest downside to servicing them.The best thing FCA did was drop the old RFE line of trannies and switch to a good transmission.

 

[Burla]

did I say it wasn't a good tranny? read between the lines wild bro. the only thing I don't prefer is the preheating fluids and changing process. If not for pre heated fluids, would even be better. when I say disposable, I mean cheap to replace.

I do think if fca simply did the upgrades with the rfe I'd ike it better, they are junk for sure. But, the upgrades are legit. However, the cost for an upgraded rfe is double the zf, or can be. if the zf was tough, they would have had it in the 2500 all along, one to grow on.

 

[Wild one]

did I say it wasn't a good tranny? read between the lines wild bro. the only thing I don't prefer is the preheating fluids and changing process. If not for pre heated fluids, would even be better. when I say disposable, I mean cheap to replace.

I do think if fca simply did the upgrades with the rfe I'd ike it better, they are junk for sure. But, the upgrades are legit. However, the cost for an upgraded rfe is double the zf, or can be. if the zf was tough, they would have had it in the 2500 all along, one to grow on.

They do have the ZF's in the 2500's now.The new 2500's are supposed to be getting a 8HP1000 from what I've heard.The 5th Gen 1500's are getting the upgraded 8HP75's now. You can bypass the heater if you're so inclined,the Challengers/Chargers with the ZF trannies don't heat the fluid,only the trucks do,and we all know FCA did that to help the corporate milege numbers,same with heating the diff fluid in the 5th Gens,it's all done to enhance the milege/emission numbers.