Dexron vs ATF+3 for 97 dodge caravan 3 spd hydomechanical tran

What is difference between dexron and ATF transmission oils? I read here that
these caravans need ATF+3 transmission oil. And should never use dexron.

I got my transmission rebuilt with remanufatured torque convertor+ new TCC. I
asked the shop what oil they used. He said, they put dexron. I asked about
ATF+, and he said, there is very little difference and I should not worry about
it. They did not put any other additive like friction modifier etc....

I'm confused and worried if dexron is going do damage to my new transmission.
What is your openion? If it is going to hurt, should I flush and replace all
the fluid plus filter. It will probably cost me another $80-90. Or just
simple oil change with new filter would do?

Thank you!

 

I say demand that they put in the proper fluid. No cost to you. Go to small
claims if you have to. Many service manuals I have with the 3speed say to
not use dextron. The '89 FWD book says to use ATF+ and dextron only in
emergancy and don't be suprised if it causes extra wear.

 

One is the correct fluid for your transmission; the other is not.

Bzzt, wrong answer. Demand the transmission be flushed and ATF+ put in, at
no cost to you, and with you checking to see the bottles it comes out of.

Wrongo. The guy who rebuilt your transmission is not an engineer, and is
absolutely not qualified to be second-guessing the specifications of the
engineers who designed the transmission. Dexron is *NOT* OK.

Marketing claims to the contrary, there's no magic mouse milk that
changes Dexron into ATF+. Lazy shops fill every transmission with Dexron
because it's easier and cheaper for them to stock just one kind of fluid.
Sometimes they add manufacturer-unapproved additives, because such
additives are a very high-profit item.

It's not going to help it! I'd demand a free flush, filter change and
refill, with the *verified* correct fluid, at no cost to you *and* a
6-month or 6,000-mile extension of the warranty.

DS

 

ATF+3 has friction modifiers that allow the torque convertor clutch to
be operated in "partial lock" (deliberate slip) mode without chattering.
This is done on the computer-controlled 4-speed FWD transmissions with
partial lock-up occurring in gears 2-4, and full lock-up in gear 4. The
3-speeds don't use partial TCC lock, and so don't need the unique
characteristics of ATF+3

When in doubt, use ATF+. It works fine in all Chrysler transmissions,
but Dexron does not. But I see no need to run out and immediately change
if you have a 3-speed hydromechanical transmission.

 

<pet peeve mode>

There is NO SUCH THING as dexTron. Its d-e-x-r-o-n, daggumit!



</pet peeve mode>

 

Hey I drive a Chrysler, why would I know ;-)

Reminds me of one of my pet peeves. The network connecting banks in Canada
is called Interac. For debit sales in stores, people frequently say "Put it
on Interac" Many people say "InteracT." The Interac people even had a
commercial with this in it. It was a kid at a spelling bee asked to spell
Interac. He went "I-N-T-E-R-A-C..." Everyone leaning on the edge of their
seats as he's about to win "...T" then he lost.

 

Well, I donno...how long have you been driving Chryslers? From '71 when
Dexron replaced Type A until '89 when the A604 was introduced, Dexron was
the factory fluid for all Chrysler automatics and many of their stick
shifts.

D'oooooh, I *hate* that!

DS

 

Ah Steve, he said " remanufatured torque convertor+ new TCC"

I think he had a 4 speed.

Ted

 

Chrysler's opinion is that Dexron will damage your transmission.

I wouldn't be that surprised, to this day the majority of transmission shops
claim
there's no difference between the fluids. As the price difference (retail)
between
Dexron and ATF +4 is $4-$5 it is no wonder that they say this. If Dexron
was $4-$5
and ATF +4 was under a buck a quart, they would be filling all the "GM"
transmissions
with ATF+4 and claiming there's no difference.

I would not go back to this shop even though you have a right to have them
pay for
the correct fluid. How can you trust that they will actually flush and
replace the
fluid? Go to a decent trans shop and consider the $80-$90 a cheap lesson,
and
don't forget to inform your Better Business Bureau of what the original
trans shop
did.

Ted

Ted

 

Ah Ted, both the 3-speed and the 4-speed automatics have TCCs in the
torque converter.

DS

 

From an engineering standpoint who knows or cares. Only one right and the
other is definitely wrong. If I were you I'd even call into question the
quality of the rebuild since this bonehead isn't smart enough to protect his
own ass after a rebuild. The dexron (or any other like Mercon etc.) will
cause damage because of clutch chatter in the TC and the clutch packs
themselves. Two friends who are specialists on them have also said it will
damage the clutch adhesives and start causing material and aluminium to
start flaking off and clogging screens etc. (since alum. won't stick to the
magnet). Knowing a shop was stupid enough to do this I'd say you'll be
having a rebuild again very soon.
Larry

 

In your 3-spd it's not critical, however, it is not the correct fluid,
and there are differences, and there is still a potential for a problem.
If you had the four speed, the GM stuff would have probably already
ruined your trans. In either case, your mechanic should be taken aside
and beat with a stick, then sent back to school.
If I were you, I would take it back and demand the proper fluid, as per
Chryslers recommendations, be put in.

Ken