# Tranny Fluid: ATF+4 vs. Dexron **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 16, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206 "2007-08-16T18:44:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Keith\_Mac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ee59a6/32.png) [@Keith\_Mac](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Keith_Mac)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/1 "2007-08-16T18:44:46Z")
I own a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport with the 4.0 liter straight 6, with 96,000 miles. I occasionally use it for local towing of my boat during the summer, and, although the automatic transmission performs flawlessly, I wanted to have a flush and fill performed on the transmission, per the owner?s manual, as a maintenance/preventative measure. Through some research, I?m aware that Chrysler has issued a Technical Service Bulletin specifying ATF+4 transmission fluid in its automatic transmissions. A couple shops that I have inquired with have informed me that they ?make? ATF+4 by adding Lubeguard to Dexron. Now, if Chrysler has issued a TSB specifying ATF+4, it seems that Dexron or Mercon, (which, if used alone, would damage the transmission), should not be used at all, even with the dubiously added ?fix? of Lubeguard. I?ve even heard that Lubeguard markets their product to these shops as a ?conversion fluid? to save the shop money so they don?t have to inventory multiple fluids. Will this practice harm the apparently oil-sensitive transmission in my vehicle? In addition, is it recommended that the filter be changed when the transmission is flushed, also? ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/big_riviera_1990/32/43_2.png) [@Big\_Riviera\_1990](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Riviera_1990)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/2 "2007-08-16T18:53:16Z")
Absolutely change the filter. Yes I know of lubegard’s fluid modifier products. I’d suggest finding a shop that stocks the reccomended fluid type and using that. -Matt ---
**Author:** ![silvergc1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@silvergc1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/silvergc1)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/3 "2007-08-16T22:25:35Z")
If it were my Jeep, I’d follow Chrysler’s requirement. I have a '98 Grand Cherokee and will put nothing but “real” ATF+4 in it. Don’t trust additives to “create” ATF+4 from Dextron. ---
**Author:** ![silvergc1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@silvergc1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/silvergc1)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/4 "2007-08-16T22:26:28Z")
Sorry, I mean Dexron, not Dextron. ---
**Author:** ![markmast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@markmast](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markmast)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/5 "2007-08-16T23:49:54Z")
The short answer is “absolutely do not use anything but genuine ATF+4” It is expensive, but you will destroy the trans with anything else. You can read more about this at [allpar.com](http://allpar.com), There are some excellent forums and tech articles about your trans. ---
**Author:** ![budd2049](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@budd2049](https://community.cartalk.com/u/budd2049)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/6 "2007-08-17T02:31:43Z")
I wouldn’t chance it. A transmission is a very expensive piece of equipment to try cutting corners with. You would do well to find a place that actually stocks ATF+4. Using this “made” stuff really sounds like a recipe for disaster. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/7 "2007-08-17T03:35:50Z")
You can buy your own ATF +$ from walmart or autozone/pepboys and take it in. Just watch and make sure that they will use your ATF and the mech doen’t go to their tank just out of habit. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2007, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tranny-fluid-atf-4-vs-dexron/3206/8 "2007-08-17T03:36:35Z")
I meant ATF +4, it is more pricey though!