Upcoming Maintenance

[Mofawa]

Hi all. Asking for some fresh info - I find a ton of conflicting info on here. My 2020 hemi is coming up on 100k miles this month and I have done absolutely nothing to this truck other than one battery change ~5k miles ago, two tire changes and oil changes at 7k mile intervals. Knock on wood that it still drives like it’s new and doesn’t have any rattles or issues. My previous RAM went a little longer before I traded in but also had no work done other than an exhaust leak. However, I really like this one and want to keep it for as long as I can. Question - is it too late to do a transmission flush? Shifts beautifully but want to keep it that way. I keep reading conflicting opinions on this. Assuming coolant flush should be done? And the front and rear axels and transfer case, are those spec’d as “lifetime” BS also or can those be flushed out? Anyone else done any of this and care to share some roundabout costs?

Anything else I should be looking to have done?

 

[UnloosedChewtoy]

Greetings! I generally do not do flushes to transmission or cooling system, especially after some miles (like 100k+). Here is what I'd recommend, based on what I've read on others' experiences and my own. I've owned three 5th gen Rams now.

Highly recommended if you plan on keeping the truck a while longer:
- Rear differential fluid change
- Transmission fluid change with new pan (filter is built into the pan, so this also changes the filter)

Recommended but not urgent:
- Test coolant with a meter or test strip, if tests OK, leave it; if too acidic, drain and fill
- Test brake fluid with a test meter, if tests OK, leave it; if too much moisture, change it

Things I would do but not probably "necessary":
- Front differential fluid change (unless you use 4WD a lot, then I'd move this up to recommended)
- Transfer Case fluid change

I'm sure I forgot some things, but thats what I can think of off the top of my head. Others will for sure chime in here and fill any gaps I left.

The rear diff develops a lot of contaminants from initial break in and just general use, being its your primary drive axle, so even if not towing, I'd recommend dumping it and refilling. Do not believe FCA's "lifetime fluid" line for the transmission, ZF (the actual designer of the tranny) recommends a change around 60k miles, give or take, assuming no heavy towing or abuse. Some articles will say 50k, some 75k, but regardless, you're over that.

EDIT: Corrected grammar.

 

[Mofawa]

Thank you! This is helpful. I said tranny flush but I actually meant a fluid/pan change. Is that what you meant as ok to do or is it just a full flush that’s not recommended at my mileage?

 

[RiffWrath]

Servicing fuel injectors would be a good idea as well.

 

[UnloosedChewtoy]

Thank you! This is helpful. I said tranny flush but I actually meant a fluid/pan change. Is that what you meant as ok to do or is it just a full flush that’s not recommended at my mileage?

I don't recommend a true flush, almost ever, for anything. In certain scenarios/circumstances only, and maintenance is not one of those.

Fluid change (dump and refill and/or filter change) is good/OK.