[SitKneelBend]

I read that, but the couple of mechanic friends that I talked with said that it’s better late than never.

May I ask how much the service cost you?

 

[Splitear]

May I ask how much the service cost you?

$211 was the total bill. Just a change, no flush.

 

[SitKneelBend]

$211 was the total bill. Just a change, no flush.

That's the right procedure and a great price! Your mechanic is a keeper!

 

[vicksterss]

Like the title says, I’m looking for those that have at least 100k miles on their Pacificas that have never had the transmission fluid changed. The manual says the fluid is “Lifetime” and never needs routine servicing.

Yes, this forum is replete with opinions of the so-called “Lifetime transmission fluid.” I don’t think we need to burden this thread with more of them. I’m just wondering what sort of experience folks with high odometer readings on their Pacificas have had with their transmissions.

If you have such a high-mileage Pacifica, please let us know how the Lifetime transmission fluid is working out for you. Have you ever had the fluid changed? Or partially changed? Or is it still original factory fluid?

FWIW - just another advice/policy of my trusted, valued mechanic:

When I took my van in for tire rotation and multi-point inspection, I asked my mechanic his thoughts on Chrysler's lifetime of the vehicle stance and to the transmission manufacturer's 100,000 KM (93K miles) recommendation. He said they do them every 60 to 70K miles, and they decline any vehicle that has more than 100K miles (if it has not already had one done before 100K miles).

Just FYI ...

 

[SitKneelBend]

FWIW - just another advice/policy of my trusted, valued mechanic:

When I took my van in for tire rotation and multi-point inspection, I asked my mechanic his thoughts on Chrysler's lifetime of the vehicle stance and to the transmission manufacturer's 100,000 KM (93K miles) recommendation. He said they do them every 60 to 70K miles, and they decline any vehicle that has more than 100K miles (if it has not already had one done before 100K miles).

Just FYI ...

Good info, although that's probably more of a "protect the business" stance than a "protect the customer" stance. I don't disagree with it though...

 

[vicksterss]

Good info, although that's probably more of a "protect the business" stance than a "protect the customer" stance. I don't disagree with it though...

Agreed. That occurred to me. I thought they probably go hand-in-hand, for a reason.

 

[Splitear]

That's the right procedure and a great price! Your mechanic is a keeper!

A nice family run shop that has always treated me well.

 

[Zumoney]

I did a drain and fill on ours at 109k miles using the procedure posted elsewhere from YouTube. The old fluid was pretty dingy compared to the new fluid, but otherwise I can't say I noticed much of a difference one way or the other. It still has the rough mid-throttle, middle speed shift.

You have a link to the video? How hard is it to DIY on a scale of 1 to 5?

 

[Jimal]

You have a link to the video? How hard is it to DIY on a scale of 1 to 5?

The change isn't difficult, but you have to move some things and get under the van. I'd give it a 2 on the 1 to 5 difficulty scale. 3 if you don't have the tools.

 

[BriPac]

The change isn't difficult, but you have to move some things and get under the van. I'd give it a 2 on the 1 to 5 difficulty scale. 3 if you don't have the tools.

The drain bolt is right there in front of you but you have to drop the bottom cover and the fill hole is tricky to get to from the top or you can take the left wheel off and get through it sideways but if you get to it through the top under the hood you'll need a make shift long 3 ft funnel snake to refill

 

[altfuel carguy]

Chrysler warrants the hybrid transmission forever, so doesn't it make sense to follow Chrysler's maintenance recommendation and leave it alone?

 

[jerry17]

FWIW - just another advice/policy of my trusted, valued mechanic:

When I took my van in for tire rotation and multi-point inspection, I asked my mechanic his thoughts on Chrysler's lifetime of the vehicle stance and to the transmission manufacturer's 100,000 KM (93K miles) recommendation. He said they do them every 60 to 70K miles, and they decline any vehicle that has more than 100K miles (if it has not already had one done before 100K miles).

Just FYI ...

Just math note -- 100,000 Km is about 62,000 miles--not 93,000; and 100,000 miles is 161,000 Km

 

[SitKneelBend]

Chrysler warrants the hybrid transmission forever, so doesn't it make sense to follow Chrysler's maintenance recommendation and leave it alone?

I don't believe they are referring to the hybrid transmission but rather the ZF 9-speed for which the manufacturer recommends regular fluid change intervals.

 

[BriPac]

Chrysler warrants the hybrid transmission forever, so doesn't it make sense to follow Chrysler's maintenance recommendation and leave it alone?

They may warranty it indefinitely but you still have to show maintenance that you took care of it and did your due diligence because if you ignore it they could deny your claim should something happen. As for the ice engines they are not warranted indefinitely and your fluid should/needs be changed

 

[Headaches]

They may warranty it indefinitely but you still have to show maintenance that you took care of it and did your due diligence because if you ignore it they could deny your claim should something happen. As for the ice engines they are not warranted indefinitely and your fluid should/needs be changed

How can they deny any warranty for non-service, when the owners manual (ICE)cleary states their is no service requirement to change the fluid under normal driving conditions.?

 

[SitKneelBend]

How can they deny any warranty for non-service, when the owners manual (ICE)cleary states their is no service requirement to change the fluid under normal driving conditions.?

They should be sued for that statement IMO. Very misleading and not what the manufacturer suggests at all (even for units manufactured by FCA under license).

 

[BriPac]

How can they deny any warranty for non-service, when the owners manual (ICE)cleary states their is no service requirement to change the fluid under normal driving conditions.?

I get that but there's always that fine line between failure and success and this is one huge gray area half agree on and half disagree on it's just who you decide to roll the dice with as your transmission goes out who you get that day.. I'm not sure I haven't looked but in the back of the manual it might state you need to get your fluid changed at a certain interval.

[/QUOTE]

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

I get that but there's always that fine line between failure and success and this is one huge gray area half agree on and half disagree on it's just who you decide to roll the dice with as your transmission goes out who you get that day.. I'm not sure I haven't looked but in the back of the manual it might state you need to get your fluid changed at a certain interval.

I have looked. It isn't there.

On our 3000+ mile trip last week in wife's '18 Pacifice, I kept a close eye on the vehicle information screens, including the transmission temperature. Most of the time it was in the 160-175 degree range. One time I saw it hit 209 degrees when we were climbing a long steep incline approaching Yellowstone.

Not sure about other vehicles that have the ZF-9, but it is comforting to know that Pacifica comes standard with a transmission cooler. This might be why Chrysler says not to service the fluid. My understanding is the leading killer of transmissions is heat.

 

[BriPac]

I have looked. It isn't there.

On our 3000+ mile trip last week in wife's '18 Pacifice, I kept a close eye on the vehicle information screens, including the transmission temperature. Most of the time it was in the 160-175 degree range. One time I saw it hit 209 degrees when we were climbing a long steep incline approaching Yellowstone.

Not sure about other vehicles that have the ZF-9, but it is comforting to know that Pacifica comes standard with a transmission cooler. This might be why Chrysler says not to service the fluid. My understanding is the leading killer of transmissions is heat.

3000+ mile trip?? wheeew that's a long one better you than me, we do the Vegas to Portland thing and that's 1k miles and I'm dead on my feet and done with that but glad you made it safe in the Beast with no issues, makes me feel better about my '18.. Yes a little blessing for the transmission cooler so make sure everybody at least changes their fluid to help it cool even better while stretching its life out..
It's been a long standing theory why manufacturers don't want you servicing the transmission because not everyone can do it you need special equipment and know how to get to the actual fill and measuring hot/cold fill points properly and they probably don't want you putting in the wrong fluid to boot which can easily be done. Remember Pacifica has the 948TE not ZF9 transmission they are similar but different

 

[SitKneelBend]

I have looked. It isn't there.

On our 3000+ mile trip last week in wife's '18 Pacifice, I kept a close eye on the vehicle information screens, including the transmission temperature. Most of the time it was in the 160-175 degree range. One time I saw it hit 209 degrees when we were climbing a long steep incline approaching Yellowstone.

Not sure about other vehicles that have the ZF-9, but it is comforting to know that Pacifica comes standard with a transmission cooler. This might be why Chrysler says not to service the fluid. My understanding is the leading killer of transmissions is heat.

If I'm not mistaken, it also has a transmission warmer (3-way coolant bypass valve). These transmissions could last much longer without the vehicle constantly trying to get it up to 190 as quick as possible.

It's more easily observed in winter. If you turn on the heat full blast, your transmission will stay much cooler, much longer as coolant is diverted from it to the heater core. Turn off the heat and you'll immediately see the temperature rise as the bypass valve shuts off the heater core circuit and diverts to the transmission.

These functions are not meant for longevity, but rather for efficiency (read: meeting government requirements).