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02:17:25 - 04/24/2024
V6 Dakotas
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/07/2004
11:39:58
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 Subject: Trans fluid choice.
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Message:
Yes, I know these transmissions are supposed to have ATF +3 only. But, ATF +3 is not the best fluid. It is made from a group 1 base stock and I just wanted something better. It also doesn't flow well in cold weather.
I thought about trying ATF +4 since it is part synthetic. Most places I read about it said it can be used no problem. Then, I read in a few places that it can cause some of the transmission seals to give out in older transmissions.I wasn't prepared for a transmission rebuild so I decided against ATF +4.
There's Redline C+ trans fluid made for Chrysler vehicles. It is a group V base stock, a true synthetic. Everything I had read about it suggested that it is a great fluid and people who have used it have had great results. The only problem here is that it costs $7 per quart and I would have to order it and pay shipping also. So, I just can't afford it right now.
I was about to give up and go with ATF +3. After doing some more research, I found that Mercon V is a very similar fluid to ATF +3 and also is part synthetic. Several of the major oil maunfacturers recommend it in Chrysler transmissions including Mobil. So, I decided to try Mercon V. Castrol Mercon V is only about $3/quart at Wal Mart.
I dropped the pan last weekend and installed a new Mopar filter. I then poured in 6.5 quarts of Mercon V. I noticed a difference immediatly. I no longer have to wait for the transmission to go into gear on a cold start. It goes into gear immediatly. Shifts are smoother. The transmission seems much more refined now. So far it seems to be working great.
I know it was a risk using Mercon V. One thing recommended is to drain it after 3,000 miles or so and refill. The reason this is recommended is becaise the Mercon V is probably cleaning deposits and varnish out of the transmission. So, I installed a transmission pan drain plug. I am going to drain and refill after a few thousand miles and again after another few thousand miles for good measure.
For those interested, most of my research comes from the "Bob is the Oil Guy" website. There is lots of good information on that website.
I will let you all know in several thousand miles how the Mercon V is working.
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GB2000
GenIII
11/07/2004
16:00:23
| RE: Trans fluid choice.
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Message:
ATF +4 is now recommended in all transmissions recommending +3 in the manuals.
The only thing you should use is either ATF +4 or Amsoil ATF.
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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11/07/2004
22:00:26
| RE: Trans fluid choice.
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Message:
I'm not sold on Amsoil products. That's my opinion and I am not trying to start a war. As far as I know, Amsoil ATF is no more recommended by Chrysler than Mercon V.
I have heard that you can use ATF +4 in older transmissions but never heard it was actually recommened. Chrysler dealerships I have visited still use ATF +3 in cars originally using it.
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GB2000
GenIII
11/08/2004
02:07:11
| RE: Trans fluid choice.
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Message:
Isn't Mercon the Dexron-Mercon stuff...sorry, not real knowledgeable on the brands. I got a lot of "book knowledge" but I'm still trying to gain personal experience with stuff. I prolly should have mentioned that in my previous post instead of now. From what I've read though, the Dexron stuff is known to cause transmission trouble rather than improvements...shifting-wise.
Josh
http://www.cardomain.com/id/sentenced
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
11/08/2004
06:58:03
|  Transmission Fluid Choice = Amsoil ATF
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Message:
ATF+4 is the latest version. Dodge realized that their transmissions were weak and they had to reformulate their ATF. As an alternative I would like to recommend ...
... Amsoil Universal Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
Recommended for applications requiring the following specifications:
Chrysler ATF+, ATF+2, ATF+3, ATF+4
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Chrysler went from ATF+ (MS 7176B) to ATF+4 in less than ten years. Essentially they were trying to make up for shifting problems in some of their transmissions by "tweaking" the frictional properties of their fluid rather than recalling the affected units. The ATF+4 fluid does seem to have solved the problems with some of the transmissions from the mid 1990's.
However, I know many Dodge owners that have noticeable and significant improvements switching to Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF. They state that the transmission characteristics are better than when it was new. Yes we all know ... transmissions from different manufacturers use various types of clutch pack materials. So ... is it possible to formulate a single fluid that will behave differently in GM, Ford and Chrysler transmissions? The specifications for friction characteristics are for how the fluid behaves in the particular application, given the types of materials used in that transmission. They are not the stand alone properties of the fluid, which is where I think the misunderstanding comes in.
Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF is truely "Universal"
Amsoil did offer a Synthetic ATF specifically for ATF +3/+4 applications about 3-4 years ago. However once they were able to integrate this additive chemistry into their Dexron/Mercon formulation, they discontinued making this second fluid.
__________________________________________________
AMSOIL synthetic automatic transmission fluid is a universal ATF designed to exceed nearly all foreign and domestic performance requirements. It improves fuel efficiency, reduces transmission temperatures by 20 to 50 degrees F and increases transmission life. Provides unsurpassed thermal stability and at least 3 times the life of conventional ATFs. Delivers maximum protection for towing and other severe-duty applications. Formulated with synthetic basestocks and the top-of-the-line additive package, AMSOIL ATF provides top performance, durability & efficiency.
Key Benefits to You:
Cleaner transmission components, More efficient power transfer, Lower Transmission temperatures, Dramatically less transmission wear, Smoother cold temperature operation, Long drain intervals, Compatible Applications: Nearly all passenger cars (foreign & domestic), Nearly all light duty trucks (including Dodge Dakotas).
Improves fuel efficiency, reduces transmission temperatures and increases transmission life. Provides unsurpassed thermal stability and up to five times the service life of conventional ATFs. Delivers maximum protection for towing and other severe-duty applications.
_______________  _______________
__________________________________________________
Recommended for applications requiring the following specifications:
GM Dexron II, Dexron III; Ford Mercon, Mercon V; Chrysler ATF+, ATF+2, ATF+3, ATF+4; Mitsubishi Diamond SP II & III; Allison C-3 & C-4 and TES-295; Caterpillar Powershift Transmission TO-2 & TO-3; Voith Commercial Transmissions; GM Strasbourg (European Imports) and Opel; Applications requiring Honda Z-1 transmission fluids; Toyota Type T and T-IV
__________________________________________________
You can click the following link to Request a FREE Amsoil Catalog.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2004
22:51:58
| RE: Trans fluid choice.
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Message:
Jeez, I hadn't planned on this thread becomming an Amsoil commercial. I don't use Amsoil products and never plan to. That's all I have to say about that.
GB2000, Dexron/Mercon is an older fluid used in GM vehicles and older Ford vehicles. Ford now uses Mercon V which is more synthetic and similar to ATF +4. If you put Dexron/Mercon in a Ford transmission that takes Mercon V, you will get the same symptoms as if you put Dexron/Mercon in a Chrysler transmission.
I decided to use Mercon V because it is a higher quality base stock than ATF +3 and flows better in cold temps. That comes in handy in these nesty cold South Dakota winters.
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