unclemarc

Greetings all and Merry Christmas,was wondering what is the correct fluid to use in the stock trans.Went to the parts store and it seemed they had everything but what I needed.I have the stock a518 any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you marc

wannadiesel

Dexron III/Mercon is the stuff for you.

Bob Beauchaine

DexronIII/Mercon can be used however all Dodges newer fluids are backward compatible - ATF+3 or ATF+4 can be used. ATF+4 is a semi-synthetic and as such, I feel would be a better choise.

Bob

unclemarc

Thanks for the help guys,when you go into the store and ask they give you that deer in the headlight look .Once again thanks for the help. marc

Ace

"Backwards compatible" does not mean it would be the best thing for it. The newer "+" rated Mopar fluids were specifically formulated to be "compatible" with the friction materials in the new transmissions - NOT the older trans. If you think you have heat problems with the old torque converters now, I'd hate to see how you feel about it running +3/+4.

BTW, there is a fairly new Dexron "VI" out that is using a synthetic base stock, so the last reason to put +3/+4 in an older Chrysler transmission is gone now.

Bob Beauchaine

Check the following TSB

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/21-004-04.htm

and

http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

or

Petro Canada re Dexron-VI ATF

Bob

ChrisLib

Mopar ATF`s specifically the ones designed for use in electronic controlled trans` have a slipperier (is that a word?lol) coefficient of friction. That why you get all the odd shift characterisitcs when DEX is used in an elec. trans. When I worked for Mitsubishi we also had an OEM fluid that was basically the same as the Mopar ATF+ 3`s and 4`s, had a bud O/H a T350 out of a MonteCarlo and filled the new unit with the Mits fluid (it was free). Car/trans had no reverse! Took the unit down to find nothing wrong, RE-filled with Mits fluid, same problem . It was then suggested to actually break open the old wallet and use DEX, big surprise, the trans worked perfectly . Now this is just my opinion but for any HYD controlled Mopar trans I`d use DEX, I find it provides a more positive (not really harder) shift, wich has to result in some slightly cooler ATF temps....my .02

wannadiesel

Bob, did you read the TSB you linked to? There's a list of vehicles at the top, with our trucks HEADING the list. At the bottom of the list it says:
I think that's pretty clear.

Ace

I don't see anything about backwards compatibility in the TSB. The Allpar page has been there for years. As far as the fluid's part in the story goes, mostly addresses issues with running dex in the ultradrives, not the other way 'round. (not ATF+ in the 727-A518s)

ATF+4 is great stuff and used to cost an arm and a leg at the dealer before they licensed the formula for aftermarket production early this year. I use it in the power steering, and the electronic Ultradrive in my wife's car. But not in the 727 in my old Chrysler (a.k.a. A518 without the OD). Transmissions can be very picky about what you put in them. In some cases (see Allpar page linked above) the resuts can be disastrous.

This is why an entire recent generation of Chrysler electronically controlled slushboxes has such a bad reputation. The owner's manuals didn't get updated in time and whole runs of the things had Dexron put in them because that's what the manual called for - incorrectly! Shops around the country had lots full of minivans with broken transmissions because clueless techs were putting Dexron in anything that had a Chrysler Dodge or Plymouth logo on it.

Check the dipstick and use the correct fluid.