No need to change transmission fluid - BS?

[ghammer]

RAM Service Manager told me the transmission fluid on my 2020 1500 3.6L does not require changing. This is also what the owner's manual states. It's hard to believe that this is true.

I have been experiencing extremely hard shifting - especially the first time it goes from 3rd to 4th (when cold). I'm currently at 53K miles. Noticed the shifting issues around 45K.

 

[PurpleRT]

They advertise it as “lifetime” fluid which really think about it.. no fluid is lifetime. Instead it basically means the 4-5 years that you’ll generally will keep your truck before moving into something else. ZF the actually manuf of the trans says other wise. I believe the 50-60k mark is what they recommend (don’t quote me on that). Obviously that depends a lot on driving style could be more could be less. What you don’t want to do is a transmission flush, thats what either makes or breaks transmissions. You want a pan drop, filter change, add new fluid. You wont completely get all the old fluid out doing it this way (torque converter will still have some in it) unless you do multiple pan drop/fluid change within a short period of time. It’s fine just to add new fluid (about 4-6 qts depending on pan size and fluid lvl) and keep w/e old fluid is still left in the TC.


Take a look they outline the process pretty well and even sell their own kits.. this might be something you wanna do on your own and take it to an independent mechanic instead of the dealer.

https://www.blauparts.com/blog/how-to-change-ram-1500-transmission-fluid-8-speed.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2025 Ram Limited]

They advertise it as “lifetime” fluid which really think about it.. no fluid is lifetime. Instead it basically means the 4-5 years that you’ll generally will keep your truck before moving into something else. ZF the actually manuf of the trans says other wise. I believe the 50-60k mark is what they recommend (don’t quote me on that). Obviously that depends a lot on driving style could be more could be less. What you don’t want to do is a transmission flush, thats what either makes or breaks transmissions. You want a pan drop, filter change, add new fluid. You wont completely get all the old fluid out doing it this way (torque converter will still have some in it) unless you do multiple pan drop/fluid change within a short period of time. It’s fine just to add new fluid (about 4-6 qts depending on pan size and fluid lvl) and keep w/e old fluid is still left in the TC.


Take a look they outline the process pretty well and even sell their own kits.. this might be something you wanna do on your own and take it to an independent mechanic instead of the dealer.

https://www.blauparts.com/blog/how-to-change-ram-1500-transmission-fluid-8-speed.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just curious, but why would a flush hurt it? What about a flush and then complete fluid change?

 

[ghammer]

They advertise it as “lifetime” fluid which really think about it.. no fluid is lifetime. Instead it basically means the 4-5 years that you’ll generally will keep your truck before moving into something else. ZF the actually manuf of the trans says other wise. I believe the 50-60k mark is what they recommend (don’t quote me on that). Obviously that depends a lot on driving style could be more could be less. What you don’t want to do is a transmission flush, thats what either makes or breaks transmissions. You want a pan drop, filter change, add new fluid. You wont completely get all the old fluid out doing it this way (torque converter will still have some in it) unless you do multiple pan drop/fluid change within a short period of time. It’s fine just to add new fluid (about 4-6 qts depending on pan size and fluid lvl) and keep w/e old fluid is still left in the TC.


Take a look they outline the process pretty well and even sell their own kits.. this might be something you wanna do on your own and take it to an independent mechanic instead of the dealer.

https://www.blauparts.com/blog/how-to-change-ram-1500-transmission-fluid-8-speed.html

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for this info.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Just curious, but why would a flush hurt it? What about a flush and then complete fluid change?

Depends on the machine used, but most shops do what is called a power flush, where the machine pushes fluid through the transmission until clean fluid comes out the other end. This can dislodge debris and force it into smaller orifices inside valve body and transmission to which can cause flow issues. They are generally frowned upon doing.

 

[Snert]

Took my 2019 in for inspection and oil change today.
I asked about the trans fluid/pan-filter change today.
Service writer said she does not recommend it, and it has lifetime fluid.
I mentioned that ZF the maker of the transmission suggests every 60-70k miles. I am at 161k and have never had it changed. Shame on me for not doing it. But might just do a pan/fluid change. As in just what ever drains from the pan/filter swap. I do not want to do a flush, had that done on a past vehicle. 3 weeks later im buying a new transmission...

Most of the milage on mine is highway driving. I would say under 5k is towing less then 2k pounds.

 

[Mr.Grid]

My 2022 Ram truck came with a standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. After that I believe you’re on your own. I bought the 7yr / 100k extended warranty and not changing trans oil / filter. I’m selling it when the warranty limits are reached. If I were keeping it, at 60k miles I’d drain the trans oil from the pan plug and replace oil leaving the pan/ filter in place. Then I’d do it again 1000 miles later. That trans filter is far from needing replacement at 60k miles imho. I did this type of oil change with the 545RFE in my 2011 and didn’t change the trans filter until 135k miles. I used a vac oil sucker to change oil in that trans through the dip stick. It had 180k miles when the engine failed and trans still worked perfect. That truck had over 100k miles towing a 7k# enclosed car trailer.