I know this is a beaten subject. But, all my searches are clutterd with loud personal opinions and very little facts. Anyone have any FACTS on this?

 

For transfer case? I went with ATF +4. Chrysler corp recommends that you use that, if that matters.

 

The facts are that Chrysler didn't recommend ATF+4 until all of these units were out of warranty, and that the mfr of the trans has never recommended anything but Dex III. Draw your own conclusions.

 

I work for Chrysler. And ill be honest, I get most of my info from hands on or you guys.

 

Does the +4 have more additives in it or something?

 

Dex/Merc II and/or III only. No ATF+4 in AW4.

I don't care if people have done it with no short-term damage. Why would you take the chance? It's not like ATF+4 is half the price or boosts horsepower by 50% or makes the rust disappear from your floor pans.

 

Yes, and different friction modifiers that will likely result in long-term clutch damage. Not something you'll notice right away but something that will shorten the life of the transmission.

 

Dex/Merc period.

 

X2
Dex/Merc ONLY.

 

Dex/Merc III compatible only (true licensed Dex/Merc III is no longer available). Check the fine print on the bottle.

To summarize my position, SOME with the AW4 can get away with using ATF+4. But others experience slippage. Which has been proven to go away when these unlucky individuals switched back to Dex/Merc fluid.

Why would you want to take the chance, when Dex/Merc fluid changed at a reasonable interval has been proven to give you a very long transmission service life for the AW4. And Dex/Merc is still the fluid that the transmission manufacturer recommends for this transmission.

So, do you feel lucky? Do you? Or do you want to roll the dice and go with what Chrysler decided (conveniently for logistics reasons) to recommend.

Sorry...I couldn't resist the Clint Eastwood reference

 

Exactly...and this is why I always recommend to go with a name-brand fluid. Since Dex III is not licensed anymore, there is technically no Dex III; only compatible, like tjwalker said. Anyone could say their fluid is compatible, but since the license is no longer valid, there is no one to police it. A company like Mobil, SOPUS, Ashland (Valvoline), etc. is not going to stick their name (reputation) on a bottle of sub-par ATF. Now, when you see a bottle of Joe-Bob's Super-Duper Dex ATF...

 

I think these guys may be expanding into the ATF market. So beware!!

 

LOL, cruiser! Pair that up with a Fram filter, and you'll be good to go!

 

Joe-Bob's Super Duper Dex ATF Paint Stripper and BBQ Sauce is good stuff!

 

Maybe that's a new version, Radi. Haven't seen that in my area yet,, but I'll watch for it!