Should I change my automatic Transmission fluid.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Should I change my automatic Transmission fluid.
I have a 1991 jeep Cherokee with an automatic transmission. It has 258k miles on it. I don't know when the last time the transmission fluid was changed, but I do know that a mechanic "took it apart" about 5-10 years ago. The car hasn't been driven much since then. The fluid doesn't look that dark on the dipstick, but it could be black in the transmission. Since the oil didn't look too dark on the dipstick, but was almost black when i changed it.
Should I change it (not flush), or would that cause problems? I have heard that some cars that haven't had their transmission fluid changed for a long time should have it changed.
Should I change it (not flush), or would that cause problems? I have heard that some cars that haven't had their transmission fluid changed for a long time should have it changed.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Consider doing a forward flush (not to be confused with the advised-against flush); you'll be changing out nearly all fluid in one go and you're done for a long time to come.
Otherwise, you can repeat the drain and refill procedure a few times with some driving in between, until you're happy with the ATF colour coming out.
Whatever you like doing.
Otherwise, you can repeat the drain and refill procedure a few times with some driving in between, until you're happy with the ATF colour coming out.
Whatever you like doing.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Consider doing a forward flush (not to be confused with the advised-against flush); you'll be changing out nearly all fluid in one go and you're done for a long time to come.
Otherwise, you can repeat the drain and refill procedure a few times with some driving in between, until you're happy with the ATF colour coming out.
Whatever you like doing.
Otherwise, you can repeat the drain and refill procedure a few times with some driving in between, until you're happy with the ATF colour coming out.
Whatever you like doing.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
I think I made a write up somewhere, otherwise I'll talk you through it.
Its surprisingly simple, effective and can be done by yourself (although helper is great)
Forward flush means, you use your transmission own "pump" the exchange the fluid, nothing high pressure shop-type flushes. No chemicals other than ATF involved, no chance of damaging anything. AND the good thing: you change out pretty much all fluid you can during this.
I'll see if I can find a link or something, otherwise I'll start typing the procedure from what I recall doing...
Its surprisingly simple, effective and can be done by yourself (although helper is great)
Forward flush means, you use your transmission own "pump" the exchange the fluid, nothing high pressure shop-type flushes. No chemicals other than ATF involved, no chance of damaging anything. AND the good thing: you change out pretty much all fluid you can during this.
I'll see if I can find a link or something, otherwise I'll start typing the procedure from what I recall doing...
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
In the meantime, have a look at post #9 in the below thread
It has a link to a video that I remember seeing when I looked for info.
I havent watched it again, but I remember it explains a bit what is meant with the forward flush.
I will have to either go hrough my old phones looking for pictures I took, or re-write it.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/how...-fluid-179937/
It has a link to a video that I remember seeing when I looked for info.
I havent watched it again, but I remember it explains a bit what is meant with the forward flush.
I will have to either go hrough my old phones looking for pictures I took, or re-write it.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/how...-fluid-179937/
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 273
Likes: 14
From: Southwest Arkansas
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I was hesitant to change my 1994 trans fluid with 220k on the clock, But I went ahead and did it, I dropped the pan tho, and cleaned it, it had a light black coating on the inside, not too bad tho. Filled it back up and drove for a hundred miles or so and drained and refilled. So far so good. If anything the trans temp dropped a few degrees after changing.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 346
From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
I've been meaning to make a hose pickup so I can do the forward pump at same time as picking up from a bucket of thf1000 tractor fluid. Id likely run the 1000 and may also try ford f.
would like to see temp differences between fluids
For a trail rig that sees lots if stress in the tranny tractor fluid would probly win.
the only fluid you want to stay away from is water.
Can just start it for a split second , i do.tourge
converter will dump all fluid about as much as whats in the pan.
I wouldn't drive it till you service it. Its probly never been serviced, many aren't. For some reason auto trannies are the most expensive most neglected part of most vehicles on the rd.
would like to see temp differences between fluids
For a trail rig that sees lots if stress in the tranny tractor fluid would probly win.
the only fluid you want to stay away from is water.
Can just start it for a split second , i do.tourge
converter will dump all fluid about as much as whats in the pan.
I wouldn't drive it till you service it. Its probly never been serviced, many aren't. For some reason auto trannies are the most expensive most neglected part of most vehicles on the rd.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Should I change it when it is warm or cold? Since the jeep is not registered, I can't really drive it more than up and down my driveway (the driveway is about 1/4 mile). If I need to warm it up, can I let it idle?
It seems that the level of fluid is higher when it is cold.
It seems that the level of fluid is higher when it is cold.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 279
From: United Kingdom
Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
You can change it cold however to fill it accurately to maximum, it does need to be driven to operating temperature to fully heat all of the fluid.
The fluid level is lower when cold as it expands when hot.
Here's what the FSM says:
The fluid level is lower when cold as it expands when hot.
Here's what the FSM says:
TO INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
WARNING: USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS NEAR THE DRIVE BELT, PULLEYS OR FAN BLADE. DO NOT STAND IN A DIRECT LINE WITH THE FAN BLADE.
(1) Be sure transmission fluid is at normal operating temperature. Normal operating temperature is reached after approximately 15 miles (25km) of operation.
(2) Position the vehicle on a level surface. This is important for an accurate fluid level check.
(3) While sitting in driver seat, apply brakes and place gear selector in each position, then move the selector to:
XJ vehicles-P (Park).
YJ vehicles-N (Neutral).
(4) Apply parking brake.
(5) Raise hood and wipe off dipstick handle to prevent dirt from entering fill tube. Then remove transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick) and wipe clean with a wiping cloth.
(6) Install dipstick and verify it is seated in fill hole or tube.
(7) Remove dipstick, with handle above tip, take fluid level reading. If the vehicle has been driven for at least 15 minutes before inspecting fluid level, transmission can be considered hot and reading should be in the OK area. If vehicle has run for less than 15 minutes and more than 60 seconds transmission can be considered warm and reading should be above MIN mark. Add fluid only if level is below MIN mark on dipstick when transmission is warm.
WARNING: USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS NEAR THE DRIVE BELT, PULLEYS OR FAN BLADE. DO NOT STAND IN A DIRECT LINE WITH THE FAN BLADE.
(1) Be sure transmission fluid is at normal operating temperature. Normal operating temperature is reached after approximately 15 miles (25km) of operation.
(2) Position the vehicle on a level surface. This is important for an accurate fluid level check.
(3) While sitting in driver seat, apply brakes and place gear selector in each position, then move the selector to:
XJ vehicles-P (Park).
YJ vehicles-N (Neutral).
(4) Apply parking brake.
(5) Raise hood and wipe off dipstick handle to prevent dirt from entering fill tube. Then remove transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick) and wipe clean with a wiping cloth.
(6) Install dipstick and verify it is seated in fill hole or tube.
(7) Remove dipstick, with handle above tip, take fluid level reading. If the vehicle has been driven for at least 15 minutes before inspecting fluid level, transmission can be considered hot and reading should be in the OK area. If vehicle has run for less than 15 minutes and more than 60 seconds transmission can be considered warm and reading should be above MIN mark. Add fluid only if level is below MIN mark on dipstick when transmission is warm.
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From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
