Is anyone using atf+4 in the 518. Have you had any luck or any problems. I have heard it holds up better to heat and if this is true I would be interested because I haul skidsteers and loads of gravel on a regular basis so anything to make my tranny last longer would be great.

 

dont forget to keep it cool.

 

I wouldn't put +4 in the 518, any 727 or their derivatives. Go with the new Dexron VI. +4 has a Lubrizol-developed FM formula specifically designed to be compatible with the friction material in the newer trans. Not sure what model truck trans started using the +3/+4 fluids, just check the dipstick.

 

when i got my 92 the old owner told me to use only Amsoil ATF+4 ? the stuff looks cool but cost almost $9 a qt.
he said the trans had been rebuilt at about 60k ago and that is all that has ever been in it so reluctantly that is what I've been putting in it seems ok for about 5 to 6k miles then the O/D kicks in and out at speed and is scarry so i change the fluid and filter and it's good again
the chart on the box says the Amsoil ATF+4 is good for 100,000 miles of regular use and 50,000 of hard use but the trans filter is good for how long 8,000
some one else chime in on this one please

 

I've been using +3, then +4, for years after Dodge said they'd rather you used 716-spec fluid and to ignore the dipstick marking. Towed the fiver more than 50,000 miles with no problems whatever. I do have a couple of gages & a couple of coolers to keep down the heat that ruins so many transmissions.

I had to have a shop do a fluid change in the Yukon and I could tell immediately that they hadn't used +3/+4. Had them drain and refill.

I recently had DTT-qualified people take a look at the DTT-modified valve body pressures and the 518 bands & adjustments after four years of running like this. The shop said they didn't have to do much more than tweak and to come back in a while.

I read that +4 is backwards-compatible with all previous fluids. Have a look at the label next time you're in the store & judge for yourself.

Regards, DBF

 

I have Mopar ATF +4 in mine. I do not have a lot of miles on the fluid but I have not had any problems.

 

I am far from knowledgable on automatics, in fact have an extreme allergy to them; but, my understanding of the ATF-PLUS fluids is, like previously stated, they are reverse compatible.

If it calls for ATF, then you can use ATF or any of the pluses.

If it calls for ATF PLUS, then you can also use PLUS THREE, PLUS FOUR.

And so forth and so on.

If this is wrong, please straighten me out.

Thanks.

 

The 8k filter interval probably corresponds to the old conventional severe duty service interval, if that number is actually listed in that context in a manual somewhere. But OTOH, those internal filters will last forever as long as the thing isn't grenading internally, because they don't filter well enough to trap much of anything anyway.

DBF can use the + rated fluid because he is running a valve body that provides lines pressures designed to give firmer shifts. Try it in a stock 727 or A518 and the results may not be so good. You could probably get away with it without even knowing what you have done if the truck wasn't towing and running unloaded most of the time. But it would not be good for it and the life of the unit would be cut in half of what it might have been, given proper service.