# Brown transmission fluid

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brown-transmission-fluid/71099>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** transmissions, dodge, ramvan\
**Created:** [February 23, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brown-transmission-fluid/71099 "2012-02-23T02:10:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 5

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**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brown-transmission-fluid/71099/5 "2012-02-23T03:33:08Z")

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PS–The trans dipstick was marked “ATF+4”, and in doing some Googling on the subject, I found this excerpt from a Chrysler TSB about the ATF+4 fluid:

"FLUID COLOR

Mopar ATF+4® has exceptional durability. However, the red dye used in  
ATF+4® is not permanent; as the fluid ages it may become darker or appear  
brown in color. ATF+4® also has a unique odor that may change with age.  
With ATF+4® fluid, color and odor are no longer indicators of fluid  
condition and do not necessarily support a fluid change."

Whatever that means. (I think they’re trying to say that brown fluid isn’t necessarily bad, but who really knows…)

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