oldskool85

So I'm gona service my 518 tomorrow I heard its better to use hydraulic fluid instead of the regular atf is this a good choice has anybody else done this if so what kind of hydraulic fluid do I use

dzl_damon

hmmm... I've never heard of that, and there are so many different hydraulic oils...

I've heard of using hydraulic oil to THIN the atf in your powersteering if you live in extrememly cold areas.

Your dipstick should tell you what you need: Either ATF Plus or Dexron II. I run Dexron III simply cause it's the cheap stuff and Dexron II or ATF + is obsolete and have all been replaced by now.

I expect a few to chime in and argue one way or another . "Changing" your fluid only gets 4 or 5qts of the 13-15qt system anyway. Most of it is in the torque converter or elsewhere.

There is a write up in the sticky about adjusting your bands and turning up your line pressure as well

Here are some links

TV/kickdown cable adjustment:
http://dens-site.net/Dodge_CTD/Kickdown_Adjustment/

Band adjustment/line pressure adjustment:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...e-t265745.html

Onemoparnut

I never heard of using hydraulic fluid. You are supposed to use ATF+4 or equivalent.

92smokin blacky

Me neither, I've always used ATF+4 and a bottle of lucas trans slip stop in mine.

BC847

I have heard of it, but it's not intended for a daily-driver. Hydraulic fluid is strictly for hydraulic systems (obviously) and doesn't include any friction modifier type stuff for the clutches. But then it can be amended/supplemented.

oldskool85

There is a report of it on this site can't member were but it kept the tranny cooler and the guy was a transmission mechanic for like thirty yrs