Your pan only holds 4 to 6 quarts.

And it's nothing that is really going to hurt the tranny at all. Shoot I would drain my aw4 right now and run atf4 in it.

Point being you want to do what's best so do the triple flush and don't sweat it.

I went through approximately ~4 gallons of Dex merc to get my nasty black fluid flowing pure clean red. After about 2 gallons it was "acceptable" but I kept doing it every few months to get it super clean in there.

My pan only drained 2.5 quarts typically. No clue why. Others have said they get almost 4 quarts each time. The first few times I did the 10 minutes of driving to cycle the fluid through all the gear channels (or however those mystery boxes work), ran it in reverse, and then drained it. Then I just did it with oil changes the past few times.

My aw4 has the original fluid in it to my knowledge? 167000 miles.

It's a brown fluid. Not black dirty. Or I would be worried.

It's getting changed this week. Not certain what I am putting in it yet?

Dexron III. It's a good idea to do it "gently", just replace what drains. A full flush with fresh hi detergent fluid has the chance of freeing up crud that may cause trouble. It's recommended to just change it more often, till it looks nice. No great rush anyway, eh?

When doing this, a good product/deal is a case of NAPA house brand (Valvoline) Dex/MercIII. 12 quarts.

Thanks guys!

Honestly, what is the best procedure? Should I drain it, add what came out, drive around for a couple days, or drive around for 10 to 15 minutes, then repeat?

For some reason people keep calling it Dexron/Mercon III.

It's Dexron III/Mercon. Get it straight. Don't make me come over there.

That's where the ball shaped items in the eyesockets come in handy...when you start draining your ATF, it will most likely look dark/brown/black (unless you have changed it recently, which I dont think you have). As you start replacing the ATF with new (and yes, that is red/dark pink), you will notice the old fluid that you will drain starts to change in colour. When it's getting close to the new ATF colour, your nearing the end of the drain refill cycles.

And yes, its Dex III/ Merc (hadn't noticed the error, my bad, this was post-nightshift-accuracy there, I corrected this)
Nothing is straight here....oh wait, that didn't come out right..

BTW, we don't have the Merc here anyway, only Dex III . I think Dex III/Merc is not longer pattended or something like that anyways, idk.

Check this list out. I gathered info from FSM's pertaining to the AW4 ATF recommendations. Note that Mercon (Ford) was the favored ATF from the begining, not Dexron (GM).

My '99 Owner's manual says "MOPAR Automtic Transmission Fluid or equivalent labled DEXRON II or Mercon fluid."


ATSG AW4 Service Information Manual, c. 1987/88

Recommended fluid for the AW4 transmission is Jeep or Mopar Mercon automatic transmission fluid. Mopar Dexron II may also be used if Mercon is not available.

1988 Jeep Cherokee FSM

Both transmissions and transfer cases use DEXRON-II ATF.

1989 – 1992 (unknown FSM recommendations)

1993 Jeep Cherokee FSM

Aisin Warner AW-4 transmissions and transfer cases use Mercon type ATF.

1994 - 1999 Jeep Cherokee FSM

Recommended and preferred fluid for the AW–4 transmission is Mopar Dexron IIE / Mercon. Mopar Dexron II may/can be used but only in emergency situations where Mercon fluid is not available.

2000 Jeep Cherokee FSM

Mopart Dexron IIE / Mercon is the recommended fluid for the AW-4 automatic transmissions. Mopar Dexron II can be used but only if Mercon is not available.

2001 Jeep Cherokee FSM

Mopart Dexron III / Mercon is the recommended fluid for the AW-4 automatic transmissions.
Dexron II fluid IS NOT recommended. Clutch chatter can result from the use of improper fluid.

From the Valvoline ATF Application Guide:

Jeep-1995-2001 Jeep: AW4 transmission

Fluid Spec: MERCON®

Valvoline Brand: MaxLife ATF, MERCON®V, DEX/MERC

Good ole' Mercon again. Dang!

Especially the Dexron II after years not being recommended in the last year...

Ok, so where can I find the right stuff for my 97?

Dexron III/Mercon (often labeled Dex/Merc) is pretty common any you should be able to get it at any auto-parts stores and most Wal-Marts carry it as well (their "Super-Tec" house brand is decent and about $11/gal., they also usually have Valvoline and/or Castrol if you want to stick with "name brands").

Funny information you posted CCKen. Those snippets from the FSM where whoever wrote it (not going to vall them "engineers"...) couldn't make up their mind if Mercon or Dexron was better. Want to see something neat? Check out page 21-248 in your 2000 XJ FSM. There's a process for an "oil pump volume check" that specifies ATF+3. It's in some earlier years, too. Kinda scary how much garbage made it past the editing department...

In the variant sold to Toyota and Mitsubishi, the A340 series, Dexron is called for. No Mercon business. (JWS-3309 was added later on with the A340i.)

Volvo specifies Dexron III or Mercon in their applications, and I believe has approved newer Dexron formulations.



If you can find a fluid that meets Dexron III, Mercon, and JWS-3309 you're all set.

Yes sir, I know better now..