Mopar Automatic Transmission Fluid

Mopar branded automatic transmission fluids (ATF) have been available for use in Chrysler fully automatic transmissions since 1952. Other Mopar branded fluids for their Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmissions were available as early as 1938. Chrysler used General Motors (GM) automatic transmission fluid specifications from 1952 through 1966 and marketed them under the Mopar brand name. In 1966, Chrysler began releasing their own automatic transmission fluid specifications. Chrysler licenses their ATF specifications^[1] to companies which manufacture the fluid and sell it under their own brand names. Not all Chrysler fluids are licensed for reselling under another brand name. All licensed Chrysler fluids must have a license number on the container. If no license number is found, the fluid may not be Chrysler approved and the fluid cannot be guaranteed to meet Chrysler specifications.

Chrysler, like many automobile manufacturers, uses transmissions sourced from other suppliers or transmission manufacturers around the world; these transmissions are not manufactured by Chrysler. Many of these automatic transmissions use unique fluids that might not be shown on this page.

Chrysler Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATF)

The original Mopar (MS-3256) transmission fluid was introduced in 1966. Over the years, the original specification was supplanted by Mopar (MS-4228), Mopar ATF+, Mopar ATF+2, Mopar ATF+3, Mopar ATF+4, and Mopar 8 & 9 Speed ATF, which is the latest fluid. Chrysler has upgraded the Mopar ATF specifications over the years; the newer fluids are not always backward compatible with previous fluids. Newer 6, 8, and 9 speed transmissions as well as Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) transmission technologies require specialized fluids to operate properly. There remains a market for older fluids that claim to meet the earlier fluid specifications. See the details below for backward compatibility of each fluid.

Before Mopar ATF - 1938 - 1966

1938 - Fluid Drive Fluid

In 1938, for the 1939 model year, Chrysler offered the “Fluid Drive” on the Custom Imperial. This car had a three-speed manual transmission connected to a conventional clutch and clutch pedal system (Labeled Safety Clutch). The clutch pressure plate was connected to the engine through a sealed 2-element fluid coupling (A 1905 German Invention). Depressing the clutch pedal was not needed unless the driver desired to select a different transmission gear or reverse. A different gear would affect the acceleration rate and top speed.

The fluid coupling allowed the engine to stay running with the vehicle stopped and the transmission was still in gear. The fluid coupling was partially filled (80%) with a special Mopar Fluid Drive Fluid. This model was used from 1939 through 1941 on Chrysler and 1941 Dodge models. The fluid coupling was partially filled (80%) with a special Mopar Fluid Drive Fluid. The transmission gearbox used regular S.A.E. 80 - 160 gear oil. A revised Fluid Drive with a vacuum shifted 4-speed gearbox (the M3) was offered on Chrysler and Desoto models for the 1941 and 1942 model years. The M3 Fluid Drive also used Mopar Fluid Drive fluid in the fluid coupling but used regular S.A.E. 80 or 90 gear oil in the transmission. The M3 transmission was short lived as the U.S. was drawn into World War II in December 1941 and production was halted.

1946-1948 After the war, Chrysler offered the Fluid Drive and a new hydraulically operated 4 speed gear-box called the M5. The Fluid Drive used the special Mopar Fluid Drive fluid in the fluid coupling and the M5 transmission used a very light S.A.E. 10W oil. 1949-1953 Chrysler offered the Fluid Drive and a new hydraulically operated 4 speed gear-box called the M6. There were three variations of the M6, one used the previous conventional fluid coupling, the other two used a torque converter. The torque converter versions used motor oil rather than fluid drive fluid.

1952 - GM Type "A" Fluid

It is important to understand that every automatic transmission produced by any vehicle manufacturer (Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, GMC, Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Desoto, Packard, and Studebaker used GM Type-A transmission fluids in their transmissions from 1949-1958.

In 1949, GM released a new Type "A" fluid specification. In an attempt to make GM automatic transmission fluid available at retailers and service garages everywhere. GM partnered with the Armor Research Foundation for fluid and qualification testing. Fluids that met the GM qualification requirements were issued an Armor Qualification (AQ) license number of AQ-ATF-xxx. Example (AQ-ATF-101). The license number had to be displayed on the fluid container

In 1952 Chrysler released their first fully automatic transmission; the 1953 Powerflite 2-speed transmission. This new automatic transmission used the GM Type "A" automatic transmission fluid specification. Chrysler became a licensed reseller of the GM Type "A" fluid with an Armor Qualification number of AQ-ATF-600. The Type "A" fluid was sold under the Mopar brand name. The 1954 Chrysler Torqueflight (A-466) 3-speed transmission also used this fluid.

1957 - GM Type "A" Suffix "A" Fluid

Mopar Type "A" Suffix "A" ATF 1959
Mopar Type "A" Suffix "A" ATF 1964

In 1957, GM released a new Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid specification. This fluid was better suited for the higher fluid temperatures caused by the unique torque converters and higher power engines of the day. The fluid specification was revised again in 1958, 1959, and 1960.

Chrysler became a licensed reseller of the GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid with an Armor Qualification number of AQ-ATF-2849A. The Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid was sold under the Mopar brand name. The 1960 Chrysler Torqueflight (A-904) (30RH) and the 1962 Chrysler Torqueflight (A-727) (36RH/37RH) 3-speed transmissions also used this transmission fluid.

1966 - Type MS-3256 Fluid

In 1966, Chrysler released their own automatic transmission fluid specification (MS-3256) and stopped using GM fluid specifications for many of their in-house transmissions. The Mopar MS-3256 fluid had GM Type "A" Suffix "A" characteristics.

1968 - Type MS-4228" Fluid

In 1968, Chrysler released automatic transmission fluid specification (MS-4228) with GM Dexron (B) fluid characteristics. This upgraded fluid had improved low-temperature viscosity to provide for adequate shifting times in low temperatures. The fluid also had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life. Chrysler became a licensed reseller of the GM Dexron (B) fluid; it was marketed under the Mopar brand name.

This fluid was first used in the 1968 Torqueflight (A-998) (31RH) transmission.

1973 - ATF+ Type MS-7176 Fluid

In 1973, Chrysler released the ATF+ automatic transmission fluid specification (MS-7176) with GM Dexron-II(C) and then Dexron-II_(D) fluid characteristics. This upgraded fluid had new oxidation and rust inhibitors to replace the previous sperm whale oil additive. The fluid also had better oxidation resistance characteristics which resulted in longer fluid life. Chrysler became a licensed reseller of the GM Dexron (B) fluid; it was marketed under the Mopar brand name.

This fluid was first used in the 1974 Torqueflight (A-999) (32RH) transmission and the 1978 A-404 3-speed Transaxle.

1980 - ATF+2 Type MS-7176D Fluid

As a result of the 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo and fuel shortages, the U.S. government created the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations in 1975. The regulations were to be fully implemented by the 1978 model year. The automotive industry responded by changing to three typically unused transmission technologies:

A 4th gear (overdrive)
A Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
Front Wheel Drive (FWD).

The introduction of the TCC led to customer complaints of a shudder while driving. All vehicle manufacturers made changes to their ATF specifications and the controls of their TCC to try and alleviate the problem. GM released the Dexron-II (D) fluid specification in 1978 and Chrysler released the ATF+2 fluid specification (MS-7176D) in 1980. This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

A-413 3-speed Transaxle (31TH) 1981
A-470 3-speed Transaxle 1981
A-670 3-speed Transaxle 1987
A-604 4-speed Electronic Transaxle (40TE/41TE) 1989
A500 4-speed (40RH/42RH/40RE/42RE/44RE) 1988
A-518 4-speed (46RH/46RE) 1992

1993 - ATF+3 Type MS-7176E Fluid

In the 1990s, Electronic controls of the transmission phased out the old hydraulic/mechanically controlled system. Chrysler and Toyota were first to market with electronic controlled transmission systems in 1988, Ford followed in 1989, and GM in 1991.

Electronic control of shift pattern (when does it shift), shift timing (how long it takes to shift), shift quality (shift feel), line pressure, and TCC apply and release rates were all affected by cold temperature performance of the ATF flowing through solenoids.

In 1993, Chrysler released the ATF+3 automatic transmission fluid specification (MS-7176E) to help address the fluid needs of electronically controlled automatic transmissions. This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

A-606 4-speed FWD (42LE) 1993
A-618 4-speed (47RH/47RE) 1994

1998 - ATF+4 Type MS-9602 Fluid

In 1994-1995, some early OBD-II phase-in vehicles experienced a P0300 DTC (Random Misfire). Engineers determined that road forces being transferred through the TCC were affecting the normal rotational fluctuations of the crankshaft and tricked the ECM into thinking there was a cylinder misfire.

The solution was to create a new kind of TCC that would normally slip around 35 rpm. GM called it the Variable Capacity Converter Clutch (VCCC), other manufacturers had their own names. Some VCCC systems had a shudder or vibration during normal operation. Engineers tried several computer calibration changes, but a revised fluid was also needed to address the issue.

Ford released the new Mercon V Fluid Specification in 1996, GM released the Dexron-III (G) Fluid Specification in 1998, and Chrysler released the MS-9602 Change C Fluid Specification (MS-9602) in 1998.^[2] This fluid is composed of a Texaco produced Extra High Viscosity Index (XHVI) Group 3 base oil plus an additive package developed by Lubrizol^[3]. This fluid outperforms and outlasts the previous ATF+3 fluid specification. This fluid is considered a "Fill for Life" fluid by Chrysler.

The ATF+4 Type MS-9602 Fluid was revised in 2003 (MS-6902 Change C) for the newly developed 6-speed transmissions. This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

42RLE 4-speed 2003
40TES/41TES 4-speed 2007
62TE/62TEA 6-speed 2007
68RFE 6-speed 2007
65RFE 6-speed 2012
66REF 6-speed 2012

2013 - 8 & 9 Speed Fluid

With increasing CAFE regulations, smaller engines with very narrow torque bands were being put in vehicles with 6, 8, and 9-speed transmissions. Chrysler sources Aisin for 6-speed transmissions with the CUMMINS Diesel; ZF for 8-speed transmissions for RWD/4WD vehicles, and a 9-speed FWD/AWD transaxle for small SUVs. Special fluids are required for these vehicles.

In 2013, Chrysler adopted the ZF LIFEGUARDFLUID 8 fluid specification and markets it as Mopar 8&9 Speed ATF.^[4] This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

2013 ZF-8HP 8-Speed RWD w/TCC and Electronic Controls
2015 ZF-9HP 9-Speed FWD w/TCC and Electronic Controls

Aftermarket Automatic Transmission Fluids

For over 70 years, the oil aftermarket has produced both licensed, and non-licensed, formulations of automatic transmission fluids (ATF). Today, aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to be compatible for use in General Motors automatic transmissions continue to be sold under names such as Dexron/Mercon, Multi-Purpose, and Multi-Vehicle fluids. Non-licensed fluid are typically less expensive, these fluids are not regulated or endorsed by GM for use in their transmissions.

Buyer Beware

Details of fluid compatibility or recommendations on the back panel of an ATF container often conflict with the fluid compatibility claims on the front label.

Example 1:

The front label of the O'Reilly Premium Automatic Transmission Multi-Purpose bottle assert that the fluid is "Compatible for use in General Motors and Ford automatic transmissions"; however, the rear panel of the same bottle asserts "This high quality product is suitable for use in all General Motors and Ford automatic transmissions calling for Type "A" Suffix "A", Dexron-II(C), Dexron-II(D), Dexron-II(E), Dexron-III(G), Dexron-III(H), Type-CJ, and Mercon. The back panel does tell you to check your owner's manual to ensure you are using the correct transmission fluid for your vehicle." This means the fluid is only recommended for some Chrysler vehicles prior to 2001. This also means it not recommended for any other Chrysler vehicles requiring Mopar ATF+3, ATF+4, or 8-9 Speed ATF.

Example 2:

Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle Formula ATF Back Panel

The front label of the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF Multi-Vehicle Formula bottle assert that the fluid is for "Ford, GM and a wide variety of domestic and imported vehicles"; however, the rear panel of the same bottle asserts the fluid is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in applications requiring the original 1987 Ford Mercon fluid as well as GM Dexron(B), Dexron-II(C), Dexron-II(D), Dexron-III(G), Dexron-III(H), and other non-Chrysler applications. The back panel does have an asterisk indicating the fluid is not compatible with Dexron VI(J), Mercon LV or Mercon SP. This means the fluid is only recommended for some Chrysler vehicles prior to 2001. This also means it not recommended for any other Chrysler vehicles requiring Mopar ATF+3, ATF+4, or 8-9 Speed ATF.

References

Vorlage:Reflist

External links

[1] ttps://www.centerforqa.com/chrysler-about/

[2] ttps://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/fluids.html

[3] ttps://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/982674/

[4] ttps://aftermarket.zf.com/us/en/aftermarket-portal/passenger-cars-and-lcv/spare-parts-and-products/oil-and-oil-change-kits/

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