cheetos

So I keep getting different answers for this question. What type of transmission fluid do I need? Auto parts store and dealer say ATF+4. Forums say Dex/Merc. I was running low on fluid about 5 months ago, dealer said go with ATF+4 (before I knew of these forums). Dumped half a quart in, and was good to go. Now, as I get more interested in my Jeep, I learn I may have screwed it up Should I drain a quart and replace with Dex/Merc? Leave it?? Haven't experienced any negative side effects yet....( fingers crossed)

1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L
101K

Firestorm500

Dextron III. But your ATF-4 is already mixed in. Leave it.

Bigwillie

you could always just drop the pan and replace the filter and put in new dex/merc 3

gvns8

There is a service bulletin that a lot of people like to refer to that says not to use ATF +4 on the aw4, but Chrysler came out with a new service bulletin later (which few people realize) and it states that the ATF+4 should be used. I have read that the reason the original bulletin said not to use ATF +4 was because it had not been tested yet on the aw4.

The aw4 did originally come with the dex so that would work too.

As far as your situation goes, when was the last time you swapped the tranny fluid? If you have never done it then I would recommend swapping it with all the same type as routine maintenance.

racebum

as someone who just bought a cherokee 2 days ago i also had the same debate. what sealed the deal to me with merc/dex3 is

1. the stamp in the plug is dex2
2. after searching threads for awhile all the highly knowledgeable members on here said merc/dex3

i'm a regular on honda-tech and corvetteforum and have noticed that anytime the old timers agree on something without debate there is a good reason why

for example, in a honda B series transmission you use honda MTF or redline MTL period, no debates, other choices or what ifs. if you want life from the trans you use ones of those in the 5spd. this is not info you will get from the parts store.

you could literally pour 5-30 motor oil in a honda box and it will work....for awhile, in fact the old ones called for it. BUT, you won't get max life or anywhere near it. it stands to reason that any atf would work in our transmission.....for a week....a month.....but it's simply not the correct fluid to use or what the transmission manf called for.

gthbryce

Only use atf+4 if its newly rebuilt..the synthetics are too slippery and will actually cause wear..I was all into doing amsoil in my tranny when I got mine glad I didn't.

Faith Claflin

hello, I realize this thread is from 2012. any help would be appreciated. I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 I6. in my old jeep which was a 1998 jeep cherokee sport, i know i used Dex III for transmission fluid but when i got this jeep it said to use ATF +4. I have noticed the jeep sounding louder at shifting after months of using the ATF +4. I need to buy some transmission fluid and cant seem to find DEX III at walmart anymore. When i do a search online it says it is not made anymore and that DEX VI replaced it. is that ok to use now. thanks

00t444e

Grand Cherokee has a different transmission than the Cherokee, your transmission does use ATF4.

Faith Claflin

thank you

cruiser54

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

The vehicle is a 98 Cherokee with just the engine from a Grand Cherokee????

If I understand that to be correct, you use Dex/Merc fluid only.

bluejeep2001

Might as well hijack this thread...good as any other fluid thread. Valvoline sells full synthetic AT fluid that they claim is a replacement for dexron 2-3-4 and 2 dozen other fluid types..Most all current replacement fluids are good for a mix of different types. I don't think you can buy a can of Dexron 111 fluid anymore. Are all of these ok...I run a 2001 AW4

00t444e

Use this if you want Valvoline, it's easy to find.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...xoCOBcQAvD_BwE

Knucklebuster

My 98 Cherokee XJ has 408,000 miles on the original AW4. Always Dexron Mercon 3. Swap out 3 qts at every oil change.

UKXJ

That's an impressive testament - but I'd never have thought of changing the fluid that frequently.