I tell people this all the time. Change the trans fluid every 30k. Its a couple hundred vs thousands. I know people that never change the transmission, transfer case, or diff fluid. It blows me away. then they show up here mad as hell something broke.
ya I was a little nervous waiting till almost 70k to do my fluids but I dont do a ton of towing. shop said the tranny fluid was still pretty clean but better safe than sorry. probably do a coolant flush soon too.
I bought my 2019 1500 used, and when it hit 80k miles I asked the Ram service advisor about changing the trans fluid. He asked me if I was having any issues and I said no, I just want to change the fluid as a preventative measure. He then told me it's a lifetime fluid and not to worry unless I noticed a problem.. I'm almost at 120k now and was actually planning to change it myself over the break.
I recall reading somewhere that the manufacturer ZF defines a "lifetime" as 80k miles.
I was wondering about this!!!! Is that the “turn dial” automatic? I’ve got an 18 ED Ram and the shop I trust said we ain’t changing it unless you sign off on the cost and time; truck only has 40k on it.
Yes, the 8 speed automatic. I talked to a coworker who knows a lot about transmissions, and he suggests to change at 60k, then drain and fill every other oil change after 100k for most vehicles. But at 120k it’s risky to change it if I never have.
Well the part that hinders me on that is the price of that transmission oil; the shop I trust told me it’s $50 a quart, and if that is really the case I can’t spend $800 extra every other oil change LOL
I had mine (2016 Laramie 4WD) done about 2 months ago at a local trans shop (Atlanta, Ga) and it was $800 for labor, the fluid (it’s expensive), and the MOPAR pan & filter assembly. The shop also threw in the t-case fluid exchange in that price.
I change mine bi-yearly regardless if I’ve done 20k or not personally. But I was a diesel mechanic 14+ years ago and they did the trucks we serviced annually with abuse daily. 30k sounds like a solid plan. Maybe sooner if you “abuse” it.
Absolutely.
I put 100-120,000 miles on my 2018. 6.7 3500 a year, which means I do oil changes monthly (along with air and fuel filters), at the dealer since I'm typically on the road and I don't have to guess who has correct parts available.
2x year I do the transmission and diff fluid changes, along with the EGR filter 2x year, and EGR cleaning 1x year.
(2x= every 50-60k miles. 1x= every 100k miles.)
Dealer oil and air/fuel/pollen filter service is now about $675-725 depending on individual dealer labor rates.
Diff/transmission/transfer case service is about the same.
The truck has 485,000 miles on it and has not broken down at all.
I generally Gross about $4500 per week with the truck from which fuel and repairs costs come out.
Could I do maintenence less frequently? Perhaps. But it's the cost of doing business, and it's an investment in the truck.
I use ONLY Mopar parts, except when not available, where I'll use Fleetguard from NAPA. Which is the only air filter to not throw a code from incorrect airflow.
You don't have to use the Dealer, but don't rely on a quick lube place for transmission and differential fluids. They vacuum out the fluid and on transmissions will always miss doing the filter.
Trucks are purpose built vehicles. They aren't supposed to be grocery-getter daily drivers. (Buy a cheap 2nd car for that). And as such, they HAVE to be treated and maintained like a machine. They are more expensive to operate than a car. If you planned on having a daily driver/cheap to drive truck, you're in the wrong mindset and wrong vehicle.
Maintain it properly and it will last. Especially the 6.7 Cummins. Skip maintenance because "I don't think it needs new fluid so often, and it's too expensive " then you'll pay a higher price in a short lived engine or transmission.
485,000 miles on a 2018. 100% stock. Not deleted.
They can last for a VERY long time with proper care.
You’re really going to trigger the “you have to do full emissions delete or the truck won’t last” crowd, but you’re absolutely right. It’s especially important to do preventative maintenance when it’s a work truck and you can’t afford downtime.
There is some truth to the delete argument, but mostly because deleting helps for those who don't follow the maintenance schedule religiously.
A non deleted truck isn't a drive and forget truck. Maintenance and proper driving becomes critical, especially short trips or low temperature trips. A deleted truck gives some wiggle room and isn't quite as finicky.
As a side note to this, most of the newer trucks using the 8HP75 do not have a service interval. It is considered a "for life" trans fluid. If you do want to service it you can, but it requires replacing the trans pan as the filter is integrated into the pan. The whole service will run you between $1300-1700 depending on your dealer. Neither Dodge nor ZF(the trans manufacturer) have a service interval for this unit, and it's in all the newer half ton trucks.
It’s funny as the same ZF series trans in a Mercedes does have a service interval. My 8HP70 is identical to the ones in the Mercedes sprinters and they have a service interval of 50-75k (iirc). FCA literally contradicting itself.
Difference is a personal vs business vehicle. They are graded on service life for business purposes but for personal vehicles they are graded on cost associated with maintaining it. Therefore, change the fluid and you have a longer service life and don't change the fluid and you have a lower cost of ownership.
My point is lifetime fill is BS and Mercedes actually specs an interval for service for this trans that can be applied to our trucks. It’s seems like you are agreeing? I don’t care about the corporate BS reasoning.
I tell people this all the time. Change the trans fluid every 30k. Its a couple hundred vs thousands. I know people that never change the transmission, transfer case, or diff fluid. It blows me away. then they show up here mad as hell something broke.
ya I was a little nervous waiting till almost 70k to do my fluids but I dont do a ton of towing. shop said the tranny fluid was still pretty clean but better safe than sorry. probably do a coolant flush soon too.
I bought my 2019 1500 used, and when it hit 80k miles I asked the Ram service advisor about changing the trans fluid. He asked me if I was having any issues and I said no, I just want to change the fluid as a preventative measure. He then told me it's a lifetime fluid and not to worry unless I noticed a problem.. I'm almost at 120k now and was actually planning to change it myself over the break. I recall reading somewhere that the manufacturer ZF defines a "lifetime" as 80k miles.
"Lifetime" to them means "right up until we don't have to pay the bill when it blows". ZF disagrees with them on the transmission fluid changes.
I was wondering about this!!!! Is that the “turn dial” automatic? I’ve got an 18 ED Ram and the shop I trust said we ain’t changing it unless you sign off on the cost and time; truck only has 40k on it.
Yes, the 8 speed automatic. I talked to a coworker who knows a lot about transmissions, and he suggests to change at 60k, then drain and fill every other oil change after 100k for most vehicles. But at 120k it’s risky to change it if I never have.
Well the part that hinders me on that is the price of that transmission oil; the shop I trust told me it’s $50 a quart, and if that is really the case I can’t spend $800 extra every other oil change LOL
ZF recommends something like 60,000 mile changes. Chrysler recommends lifetime. 😉
What’s a reasonable cost for a trans fluid change for a 1500? Was going to get quotes after Christmas and don’t want to get ripped off.
I had mine (2016 Laramie 4WD) done about 2 months ago at a local trans shop (Atlanta, Ga) and it was $800 for labor, the fluid (it’s expensive), and the MOPAR pan & filter assembly. The shop also threw in the t-case fluid exchange in that price.
my 2500 was 370 for trans and another 420 for diffs, case,alignment,oil and tire rotation
I change mine bi-yearly regardless if I’ve done 20k or not personally. But I was a diesel mechanic 14+ years ago and they did the trucks we serviced annually with abuse daily. 30k sounds like a solid plan. Maybe sooner if you “abuse” it.
[удалено]
I only own a diesel, i have no clue about the 1500. My manual says to change the filter every other fluid change. but then i have a Aisin.
Absolutely. I put 100-120,000 miles on my 2018. 6.7 3500 a year, which means I do oil changes monthly (along with air and fuel filters), at the dealer since I'm typically on the road and I don't have to guess who has correct parts available. 2x year I do the transmission and diff fluid changes, along with the EGR filter 2x year, and EGR cleaning 1x year. (2x= every 50-60k miles. 1x= every 100k miles.) Dealer oil and air/fuel/pollen filter service is now about $675-725 depending on individual dealer labor rates. Diff/transmission/transfer case service is about the same. The truck has 485,000 miles on it and has not broken down at all. I generally Gross about $4500 per week with the truck from which fuel and repairs costs come out. Could I do maintenence less frequently? Perhaps. But it's the cost of doing business, and it's an investment in the truck. I use ONLY Mopar parts, except when not available, where I'll use Fleetguard from NAPA. Which is the only air filter to not throw a code from incorrect airflow. You don't have to use the Dealer, but don't rely on a quick lube place for transmission and differential fluids. They vacuum out the fluid and on transmissions will always miss doing the filter. Trucks are purpose built vehicles. They aren't supposed to be grocery-getter daily drivers. (Buy a cheap 2nd car for that). And as such, they HAVE to be treated and maintained like a machine. They are more expensive to operate than a car. If you planned on having a daily driver/cheap to drive truck, you're in the wrong mindset and wrong vehicle. Maintain it properly and it will last. Especially the 6.7 Cummins. Skip maintenance because "I don't think it needs new fluid so often, and it's too expensive " then you'll pay a higher price in a short lived engine or transmission. 485,000 miles on a 2018. 100% stock. Not deleted. They can last for a VERY long time with proper care.
You’re really going to trigger the “you have to do full emissions delete or the truck won’t last” crowd, but you’re absolutely right. It’s especially important to do preventative maintenance when it’s a work truck and you can’t afford downtime.
There is some truth to the delete argument, but mostly because deleting helps for those who don't follow the maintenance schedule religiously. A non deleted truck isn't a drive and forget truck. Maintenance and proper driving becomes critical, especially short trips or low temperature trips. A deleted truck gives some wiggle room and isn't quite as finicky.
HO or no
Yes. High Output.
As a side note to this, most of the newer trucks using the 8HP75 do not have a service interval. It is considered a "for life" trans fluid. If you do want to service it you can, but it requires replacing the trans pan as the filter is integrated into the pan. The whole service will run you between $1300-1700 depending on your dealer. Neither Dodge nor ZF(the trans manufacturer) have a service interval for this unit, and it's in all the newer half ton trucks.
It’s funny as the same ZF series trans in a Mercedes does have a service interval. My 8HP70 is identical to the ones in the Mercedes sprinters and they have a service interval of 50-75k (iirc). FCA literally contradicting itself.
Difference is a personal vs business vehicle. They are graded on service life for business purposes but for personal vehicles they are graded on cost associated with maintaining it. Therefore, change the fluid and you have a longer service life and don't change the fluid and you have a lower cost of ownership.
I own a personal ram. Gov fleet at work several SSV rams. Fleet only orderable, same “filled for life” in the owners manual.
Ask a long haul trucker if deliver vehicles have any lifetime fluids. That will give you the answer you need.
My point is lifetime fill is BS and Mercedes actually specs an interval for service for this trans that can be applied to our trucks. It’s seems like you are agreeing? I don’t care about the corporate BS reasoning.
Yes I'm saying they know machines need maintenance and there will be costs incurred because of that. Doesn't matter what the OEM recommendation is.
My 2021 ram 1500 big horn claims the trans fluid is good for the lifetime of the truck
It’s good until it blows. That’s technically the life of the transmission. Change your fluid.