What transmission fluid to use?

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:04 am

I don't know anything about transmission fluids some help me out...

I have a 2001 Neon LE automatic with 123,000 KM .

What transmission fluid should I use?

The manual recommends some Mopar fluid.

OB · Post by OB » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:07 am

Seems that you've answered your own question

Older models called for gear oil, while the newer ones all use ATF+4. At which point the change was made, I cannot remember. Anyone else wanna chime in?

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:11 am

OB wrote:Seems that you've answered your own question

Older models called for gear oil, while the newer ones all use ATF+4. At which point the change was made, I cannot remember. Anyone else wanna chime in?

Yeah thats the stuff in the manual ... Mopar ATF+4 .... I was just wondering if there was something equivalent or better out there .... the dealer near my house closed and now id have to trek across the city. So is there anything equivalent or better, I was about to buy a bottle of Dexron 4 but I thought I should get some info before I do something wrong.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:11 am

there is a lot of conversation on this topic all throughout the forum. Currently I'm using Royal Purple Synchromax... and it seems to be working just fine.

OB · Post by OB » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:58 am

Dont use dexron. Other manufacturers use different additives that are specifically designed for their equipment. I dont know which ones are significantly different, but I do know that theyre out there so it's better to be safe than sorry.

On another note, im currently running Redline MTL and it seems to work alright. Shifting is a bit clunkier, and other than that its tough to tell whether it's making much difference. For the cost, id say it wasnt exactly worth what I paid, so ill probably go back to ATF when I change it next.

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:57 am

While i'm at it I think i'll do a transmission fluid and filter change. Tips? How to? Anyone done it them selves?

And the transmission fluid, is Mopar ATF+4 equivalent to other brand name ATF+4

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:31 am

We are in the same city... Ottawa.

I just went to Metro Chrysler yesterday and picked up everything needed for the automatic transmission fluid change.

The fluid is Mopar ATF+4 and you'll also need the filter, filter gasket and transmission pan sealer.

It cost me $72 (including taxes) for the above fluid & parts.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:28 am

IIRC valvoline ATF+4 = mopar atf+4, But i could be wrong.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:02 am

These are your options...

Mopar ATF+4
Valvoline ATF+4
Castrol ATF+4
SuperTech ATF+4
Advance Auto ATF+4 (if they have those in Canada)

However, if you look at the dipstick and it says ATF+3 then you can use any of the above as well as any ATF+3 on the market.

There is no need to go to a dealer for this stuff. ATF+4 is now readily available at many auto parts stores as well as WalMart. IIRC ATF+4 in a name brand is ~$4/qt (US) at an auto parts store.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:57 am

Valvoline Full Synthetic ATF+4

asanti · Post by **asanti** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:48 pm

Since you have an automatic, ATF+4 is what the tranny oil has been updated to. You can definitely get it at the dealer, but it's costly. You can go to pretty much any autoparts store and get ATF+4 in the brands mentioned above and be fine. Personally I've used the Valvoline without any problems. The only downside is that once you switch to ATF+4 you can't go back to using ATF+3 so be forewarned

. It has something to do w/ the additives in the tranny fluid that ATF+4 has IIRC... Either way, if you need help or some pointers in changing the tranny fluid + filter drop me a PM, I'd be happy to help.

Later
Allex

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:06 pm

A bottle of ATF+4 is only like $6 or $7 a quart at the dealer.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:25 pm

No point in spending $2 or $3 more per quart.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:05 pm

If Chrysler wanted to push their own fluids they could simply have recommended Mopar for everything and been done with it.

But, I did notice in the owner's manual that while they don't specifically recommend Mopar engine oil, they *did* specifically recommend Mopar transmission fluid.

Considering that the transmission fluid doesn't get changed all that often (77,000 k / 48,000 miles as per my owner's manual) I'm more than happy to spend a few extra bux for the Mopar... even if all that does is give me the warm fuzzies and a lighter wallet.

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:04 pm

I try to stick to Mopar stuff for basic stuff like that and sensors and such. But stuff that can be upgraded like wires and such, I try to buy the best I can get.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:36 pm

Mopar ATF is Valvoline ATF, so by buying Valvoline ATF+4 you are buying Mopar ATF+4

asanti · Post by **asanti** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:54 pm

racer12306 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mopar ATF is Valvoline ATF, so by buying Valvoline ATF+4 you are buying Mopar ATF+4

O RLY?!

If that's the case then I'm headin off to buy a case or two! Mopar ATF+4

rebranded and for less

? Valvoline ATF+4 FTMFW!

Later
Allex

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:55 pm

I'm 99% sure that Valvoline was making it for DCx, and then they started selling it to the autoparts stores.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:01 pm

Wal-mart is carrying Mopar ATF +4, at least here in Ohio...
Redline also makes it but again your looking at $7-$8/qt. plus shipping if you can't get it locally.

seisephiroth · Post by **seisephiroth** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:32 pm

occasional demons wrote:Wal-mart is carrying Mopar ATF +4, at least here in Ohio...

same here in VA, for like $4.47 a bottle

half_twisted · Post by **half_twisted** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:21 pm

Adionik wrote:Valvoline Full Synthetic ATF+4

I was told by the tech in the dealer to only use atf+4 since its a full synthetic fluid.. Its just doesnt get any better than that.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:39 pm

I don't believe that the Redline ATF is *approved* by Chrysler. However many people use it in ATF+4 applications with success.

The same goes for the AMSOIL Universal ATF. AMSOIL recommends it for ATF+4 applications but it does not carry the approval from Chrysler. The AMSOIL warranty comes into play with this situation.

OB · Post by OB » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:23 am

ATF+4 is Mopars designation, so any company advertising their product as that is surely using their exact formula. Chrysler wouldnt allow other companies to use their name without being sure that it was the proper stuff. They probably lease the rights to the name and to the formula, just like everything else in this world. If it says ATF+4, then consider it Mopar approved.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:15 am

i've been running this stuff in my atx for a couple months now.
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products ... product=63
It seems to be working quite well, no more rough shifts, fixed the hard downshift when slowing to an intersection. according to the transmission shop thats near my house, For every 20 degrees cooler the trans fluid is, doubles the life of the fluid.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:32 am

Replaced my auto tranny fluid yesterday with the Mopar ATF+4... now I'm noticing smoother shifting.

No idea what was in there before but suspect it was Mopar ATF+4; however, there was 50,000 miles since it had last been done.

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:57 pm

Not so sure about the Valvoline thing and Mopar ATF+4. They acted differently in my car in the cold. Went on to Amsoil (only need 3 quarts in a MTX) and that has been the best. Mopar fluid is really good though.