42RLE fluid spec change??

[Bullett55]

Major service performed by my go to
dealership incl a trans service.
The new trans fluid seems different from
the fluid in previous trans services.
Seems like less viscosity, not nearly as
deep red, and doesn’t have that same
distinctive odor. Kinda like a watered
down version of what I’m used to.
Did Mopar change the 42RLE fluid spec
during the last couple years??
Have not talked to the dlrshp yet.
tjkj?

Thx.

 

[Dave]

ATF+4 ONLY.

Dave

 

[Bullett55]

Yeah Dave, thanks.
But we (Jeep dealer and me) know that. Kinda etched in stone for Jeep ppl lol!
Only this dealership tech (and myself) have serviced this KJ for 180K. All fluids
always look as fresh as if just changed... and I tow a jet ski almost 10K every year.
I doubt they would have made this mistake, but I will ask.
Figured I'd ask here first before asking if my tech (and friend) made such a dumb a** mistake.
So you say Mopar has not changed the 42RLE xmission fluid since say 2014.

 

[Leeann]

Nope. ATF+4 is the same as always.

 

[Bullett55]

Ok...thanks. That's what I wanted to know before asking.

 

[JasonJ]

Check the part number on the invoice... it may not say "ATF+4" .. but might be an actual part number for whatever fluid went in there. When a dealer tech gets his fluid from parts dept., they add it onto the Service Order.. unless it comes from bulk, in which case the tech tells parts how much of what fluid he used.

Where that can go wrong is if he grabbed the wrong fluid dispenser nozzle, thinking it was ATF+4, then tells parts that's what he used; but it turns out it wasnt. The SO will reflect the part number for ATF+4, but oops.. he actually grabbed the nozzle for Type F ... who knows.

 

[tjkj2002]

Chrysler/Dodge(Ram)/Jeep dealerships only stock ATF+4 trans fluid unless they also sell other brands.They may have a case or 2 of DexIII/DexVI/Merc5 but not much while ATF+4 will be in bulk.

 

[Bullett55]

Thanks tj, Jason and all for the input. If anything of interest surfaces when
I talk to the dlr/tech I'll post...
Thx again.

 

[JasonJ]

Chrysler/Dodge(Ram)/Jeep dealerships only stock ATF+4 trans fluid unless they also sell other brands.They may have a case or 2 of DexIII/DexVI/Merc5 but not much while ATF+4 will be in bulk.

That's a good point to make. The dealership I worked at sold and serviced not just Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep, but also Kia, Subaru, VW/Audi and Mazda.. but we'd work on just about anything that came through the door.

 

[tjkj2002]

That's a good point to make. The dealership I worked at sold and serviced not just Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep, but also Kia, Subaru, VW/Audi and Mazda.. but we'd work on just about anything that came through the door.

And sadly there are not many Techs like myself that are pretty a n a l about using the correct fluids and such.

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Same way here. We had a front end hit wrangler in a couple weeks ago that needed radiator support, radiator etc. and my boss argued with me for a half hour that universal coolant was the same thing as the HOAT that was supposed to go into it. I was so adimant that he added a supplement for me to run to the dealership down the street and get coolant.
Needless to say I grabbed 3 gallons so that we had extra on hand for next time he wants to pull that malarkey.

 

[Bullett55]

And sadly there are not many Techs like myself that are pretty a n a l about using the correct fluids and such.

Which is exactly why you are our VOR (voice of reason) here. Thank you.

And btw after a 500 mi trip fluid looked, smelled, and viscosity appeared
like what I'm used to. Go figure...

 

[Bullett55]

Mystery solved..., dealer/tech adds an additive (clear/thin)
that supposedly supports seal elasticity when xmissions have
over 100K. Guess it hadn’t ‘settled in’ until I logged several
hundred miles. All appears ‘normal’ now.
Thanks for the input.