I'm coming up on 30K and will need a transmission service. How much does your dealer charge? Should I request a complete fluid exchance AND filter change? That is what I'm inclined to do. Thanks.

 

I just did mine myself. It's not that hard, just buy your fluid and filter beforehand, have a catch-pan, some rags and general tools. I refuse to hand over my cash to a dealer when I can do it myself.

 

Seattlestones I hope that goes for your warranty repairs too.

 

Well, I do most of my own maintenance but have niether the time nor the desire to do this job.

Anyone have any answers for me?

 

I paid $120 at an independent shop. I think the dealer wanted closer to $150.

 

Just curious, would they change the filter first, then flush, or do they flush first then change the filter?

Seems like if they changed the filter first then flushed they'd just contaminate it by running dirty fluid back through it while flushing.

But if they flushed first, then dropped the pan and changed the filter, they'd waste a lot of fluid.

 

If I'm not mistaken, when they flush they bypass the filter.

 

I don't believe Dodge recommends "flushing". The standard service is to drop the pan, adjust the bands, install new filter, replace pan and then refill what was lost due to dropping the pan, about 5 quarts I think. I've had mine done twice at two different dealers. One dealer was $139.00 (last month) and the other $129.00 (about a year and a half ago).

 

Not what my dealer told me. He said they flush and remove 100% of the fluid. He said that they don't normally change the filter unless the customer requests it. I think I will. ptgarcia, I hope you are right. Bypassing the filter seems the only way to fluch without contaminating the new, clean filter with old fluid. Can anyone confirm?

 

I made my statement based on the TSB that you can read at this link.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2007/26-003-07.htm

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Oh lord, here we go again. Most everyone uses a fluid exchange machine these days. They take output tranny cooler line off and route it to the machine and put the out from the machine to the tranny line. An exchange machine dosen't even have a motor. The trannies pump pumps the fluid into the exchange machine and pushes a piston that pushes the new fluid back to the tranny. It takes 16-17 quarts to get the job done. I pay $120 dollars for the service at my dealership and that is including the MOPAR ATF 4+. I wouldn't even drop the pan until 60,000 miles to replace the filter. Do this ever 30,000 miles and you should be fine. Some folks do it every 15,000 or believe it or not 60,000 miles.

 

The dealership here (and I use that term loosely) wanted $255 for a band adjustment, filter replacement and refill. I did it myself in about 2 hours. Next time it will only take 45 minutes as I know what to look for and won't spend so much time looking at the tranny with the pan off... (insert oooohs and aaahhhhhs here...)

 

For what it's worth, my Mopar "05 FSM reads, "Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid. Replace filter and adjust bands (48RE only)." at 60,000 for schedule B, and at 100,000 for schedule A.

I don't believe it is intended to be considered a flush, but simply a drain and refill.

 

tranny flush at my local dealer runs 239.00. price has steadily increased over the last three years. started out at 199.00. still, at 239.00 i think it is cheap insurance.

 

If you add power,and who hasn't that 60k is a joke.If you use the power 15k is much more realistic.The filter that is used on the 48re is not that impressive,I would not expect it to give me good service at the factory interval if I was towing with any additional power.

Bob