At the "other" Forum there is a thread about a guy that has been denied warranty repairs to his 48RE with approximately 34K miles.

Dealers ask for receipts showing proof that the trans was serviced and the guy shows them receipts for Amzoil syn tranny fluid. Wrong answer. DC says thats not an approved OEM fluid, no warranty. Hopp over to the other forum and take a look. Interesting reading.

There is also a thread about an 03 that just went over 100K miles.

 

Please post a link, I couldn't find it.

 

dieselram.com should get your there. Then click ,forums, and then 3rd genaration.

 

OH, lol, I forgot about that one. I thought you meant TDR

 

Well thats a disturbing post. It sure seems a lot of guys around here use the Amsoil ATF in their trucks. Maybe it doesn't cause problems, or maybe they haven't used it long enough to find out

 

I seem to be one of the Lone Rangers with regard to the use of synthetics. Since the begining of DC's relationship with Cummins there have been problems with the Automatic trans. For years it has been a known fact that one of the keys to long auto tranny life was regular replacement of the trans fluid using ONLY DC's fluid. It contains some gee wizz stuff and is engineered specifically for their trannies.

In cold climates, use of synthetics in the motor may be a good idea since that oil tends to hold it's viscosity in extreme cold. However in the trans your taking a real gamble by using anything other than Chrysler tans fluid. You may well void your warranty, as did the guy in the subject thread, and, in my opinion, you will shorten trans life.

Opinions on the entire synthetic subject are like noses,everyone has one. But, we've put over a million miles on Dodges with the CTD and with one exception have always had automatics. On one truck I had to have the trans rebuilt at 65K miles. After that $2000 repair, I read an article about using only Chrysler, now DC, fluid and how being fanatical about changing it will help ensure long life.

Since then, I change the fluid semi annually on the work trucks, annually on my personal truck, and use only their juice.

Results: Usually get around 175,000 miles on a trans before a rebuild. Got 200K out of one. We run a small fleet of these things and they get the junk beat out of them, but we do no towing.

Towing is a bear on the auto. My daughter tows a 7000lb horse trailer with one of our old units, a 95 with 210K miles on it. Have rebuilt the trans once. On that truck we change fluid at least every 3 months or immeadietly after a very long tow.

Am I crazy? Probably. but fluid is cheap, rebuilds aren't and synthetics in the trans will get you in trouble.

2 cent opinion. no change.

 

LOL I think the DC fluid is synthetic

 

Tell you guys what. After seeing all of the experiences people have had with their trucks, and having problems with their warranty etc, my personal opinion is that it's a big waste of time to be using synthetics, Amsoil etc. I do not know a single person at all who's had problems using regular factory fluids. As a matter of fact, my brother in law has a 94 Cummins going on 350,000 miles and he's used stock oil since day one. I just don't get it, ESPECIALLY when it says in writing, over and over that using unapproved items on your vehicle can affect the warranty.

The disturbing thing to me about that post is that the guy used something unapproved, and still expected to have Dodge cover the warranty.

What happened to common sense?

 

Jack you think he would have learned the 1st time he was rejected...

 

May be a blessing in disguise. If his original trans lasted for just over 30,000 miles, the one the dealer would put in to replace would probably last the same. By then...out of warranty and he'd be buying a replacement one anyway. Now he can go spend a little to get a good transmission rebuild and be done with it! Problems like this validate why many of you guys get knuckle busters.

 

I'd rather not have to bother shifting and face the eventuality of an ATS or DTT unit...The way I look at it, you will eventually just have to pay $2-4k more if you own an auto and keep it a very long time, which I find worth it for the convenience. To each their own =]

I am disturbed however that I ordered and have a case of amsoil ATF sitting here, and now am not sure about using it. I wonder how it would work if I just kept it and used it in the xfer case only. Do the fluids stay separate?

 

Jack hits the nail on the head. Everyday we read questions about when to use synthetics, whats the best product etc.

THe DC ATF may well be a synthetic product. But, it's their product and it works. Possible loss of the warranty by using an non approved product just does not pass the "logic test"

Additionally, what is the gain in using synthetic products in the trans a rear end?? THe only advantage I see using them in the motor is in extremely cold climates. Other than that I wouldn't touch the stuff. THe 1/2 a mile to the gallon increase in fuel economy hardly justifies the cost. I would wager that the trucking companies dont use it. Just not cost effective.

 

Like $45k diesel trucks are cost effective...

 

Well if Amsoil claims they'll back up a component failure are they running to this guy's aid??

I'm a synthetics believer however I don't think they're the right answer for everyone or everything. If I had the Auto I would probably stick with the DC-recommended lube but I haven't done much research on the subject. I know guys use the Amsoil ATF and have been quite happy with it.

Vaughn

 

I can't find it, can someone give me a helping hand? Either a link or the title of the thread.

Thanks