Transmission service intervals

[Rebelguy2020]

The transmission filter is a metal screen, it is not a paper filter like oil/fuel filters, replacement is not necessary, it can be flushed out or cleaned.
I had my transmission serviced on my 1994 Caravan and my 2011 Ram at a transmission shop next to my FCA/Stellantis dealer, the dealership does not have the right equipment to do it, they somehow connect to the transmission lines and run this machine to flush out the transmission and add the approved fluids and additives required from the manufacturer.

It will be interesting to see what’s the answer Bpebbler gets from the transmission shop.

 

[TheWaterman83]

The transmission filter is a metal screen, it is not a paper filter like oil/fuel filters, replacement is not necessary, it can be flushed out or cleaned.
I had my transmission serviced on my 1994 Caravan and my 2011 Ram at a transmission shop next to my FCA/Stellantis dealer, the dealership does not have the right equipment to do it, they somehow connect to the transmission lines and run this machine to flush out the transmission and add the approved fluids and additives required from the manufacturer.

It will be interesting to see what’s the answer Bpebbler gets from the transmission shop.

You may be right but for warranty purposes, they want the pan/filter replaced, from what I see. I wouldn't want to claim a trans only to find out the shop never replaced the pan with filter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not thrilled about buying a $300 pan.

 

[Cbty2050]

You may be right but for warranty purposes, they want the pan/filter replaced, from what I see. I wouldn't want to claim a trans only to find out the shop never replaced the pan with filter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not thrilled about buying a $300 pan.

They don't want any service done for warranty purposes.

 

[TheWaterman83]

They don't want any service done for warranty purposes.

You're right. What a pickle. I just can't imagine a world where the trans is "fill for life"

 

[monza2t]

You're right. What a pickle. I just can't imagine a world where the trans is "fill for life"

Its marketing nonsense to make the vehicles look like they require less maintenance. Just like 10k oil change intervals. Now what does that mean for a 120k mile truck thats been out of warranty for years? they dont care

 

[Rebelguy2020]

You may be right but for warranty purposes, they want the pan/filter replaced, from what I see. I wouldn't want to claim a trans only to find out the shop never replaced the pan with filter. Don't get me wrong, I'm not thrilled about buying a $300 pan.

I had both vehicles, the Ram and the Caravan transmissions flush done at Mr. Transmission, next door the FCA dealer, the service was done before the warranty ended, the FCA dealer told me if a problem was discovered while servicing the transmissions it would be covered by FCA warranty.

Neither the FCA dealer nor Mr. Transmission required the transmission filter to be replaced.

My very first FCA product was a 1994 Caravan and the transmission started to shutter or vibrate at low speeds during a slight incline, it only had around 60,000km and still under warranty. The FCA dealer suggested to bring it next door at Mr. Transmission for the transmission flush, so I did and got the transmission flush done, it cured the shutter/vibration. I sold the van after owning it for 13 years and 296,000km and never had other transmission issues.

The Grand Caravan in those years with the 3.3L Chrysler V6 were known to have transmission failures, luckily for me I had the shorter Caravan and a reliable transmission.

 

[Darksteel165]

You're right. What a pickle. I just can't imagine a world where the trans is "fill for life"

We consider "for life" meaning forever.
Manufacturers consider "for life" the warranty period.


If the transmission with it's oem fluid lasts until the warranty expires, that means in their eyes the fluid was good for life.
Lots of other manufactures do the same way, generally they claim "lifecycle" and just not "life" though.
That's where the confusion is.