Do it.

 

My dealership quoted me $800. Am I getting fleeced there?

 

Welcome to Challengertalk Dodge considers it a lifetime fluid so their maintenance won't show a time to change. ZF generally recommends 60,000 miles. The method to change is somewhat complex

https://www.challengertalk.com/threads/transmission-questions-and-concern.708326/?post_id=8977384#post-8977384

A Guy

 

Yes, get it changed. Most professionals recommend a dump and fill over a flush.

 

ZF automatic transmissions are generally filled with lifetime oil. However, due to the many factors influencing the service life of transmissions in individual operation, ZF recommends an oil change after 150,000 km for its transmissions.

In operating conditions with high temperatures and loads, or with unknown vehicle use in the past, it can make sense to change the transmission oil at shorter intervals.

150,000 km = 93205 mi

A Guy

 

It was around the 90k mile range when I replaced mine and also recommended by a reliable source on this forum.

 

I will likely do mine at about 60,000

 

I do mine every 50,000. The first change cost under $500. Cool... this second time is was just under $1,200... let me know who your dealer is, because I long for the $800.

 

seems I remember that over on the 392 Wrangler forum they were discussing changing the fluid in the transmission. Basically they have the same ZF8HD in the 392 Wrangler as in the Challenger, with the 5.7 & 6.4.
Like Hal H said the pan and filter is one unit, & you need the pan gasket and the fluid.
Interesting part is with the Wrangler you need to raise the rear end a little higher to get the transmission level. Add the fluid in a access port on the side of the transmission and fill until it starts rolling back out. Sort of like you do with the differential or a transfer case. Put the plug in it and get it warm. Of course it will expand, take the plug out and let it level off. but I think you are supposed to only get it to a certain temperature to measure. Add if needed.
There has to be a shop manual on line or something for the really important details. It's easier on the Wrangler cause it's already 'lifted'

Too bad you can't use the good ole ATF+4 fluid. I still use it in the Dodge ram and my Jeep TJ . It can be used in the transfer case and the Power steering. I always keep a lot of it handy.
I don't know if NAPA would have the ZF fluid or if it's still proprietary.

I bet the process on changing the fluid is pretty close with the Challenger as it is with the wrangler.

best regards
Parrott

 

Why do you need a new transmission pan? Seems like a drain and fill would be a thing on the Challenger? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a clogged challenger transmission filter.

 

ZF Recommends it at 50,000. Just a recommendation. I would want to open it up to get all the gunk out I can. I opened up a NAG 1 after 25000 and it was bad. That's a different animal I know, but it made me a believer. The filter was plugged enough to starve the pump and make it howl.

 

I'm at 85K miles, so 90K is near.

Maybe I have trust issues from past automotive service experiences, but for those of us who will need a dealership to do this, how will I know it's even done at all? I can't craw under the car to see oily finger marks that they even touched it.

Using an example, just for discussion. Let's say I have 60K miles, and I want the AT fluid service. They recommend 90K. If they charge me, and don't do it, everything will still be fine for many miles and many years. And no one can prove it was never done.

My Challenger only visits Dodge dealerships.

I welcome comments on my paranoia. TIA.

 

Hey OJ, Tell you what I did when our Mini was in at the dealer for a recall and they wanted to swap out the brake fluid, and offered a deal on a oil change.

I asked if there was an observation deck, where I could observer the brake fluid swap. I already knew how to change the oil.
The service writer looked at me funny and ask why? I said I want to learn how to do that.
He said let me ask my manager.
He came back and said come with me. They took me to the door where you go into the shop, it was glass top half. He said they would bring my Mini Countryman to the first station there, and let me stay here at the door to watch. I did. The mechanic (oops sorry, 'Technician) even came over to talk to me about the brake pads,

Try that. I think it's important to 'Trust, but verify'. Nothing wrong with that.

Back in the day you were supposed to ask for any parts replaced. I remember my mother coming home once with a bag that had an old air filter, sparkplugs rotor button & distributor cap. It was those crazy aluminum nubs, distributer cap that corroded. Try to get brass.

Mark your transmission filter with an 'x' or 'tilde' with one of those paint pencils or silver sharpie, before you take it in. Tell them you want to see the transmission filter/pan from the ZF afterwards. Look for your marks.

Just some ideas. It's cool to ask them, you are paying for it.

Hope that helps
Best regards
parrott

 

My wife loaded me up in her Jeep last week so she could get her oil changed in it at our dealership. While we were there, I asked the Service Manager how much to change the transmission fluid on my Challenger. He stated about $1000.00 and told me it was an unnecessary service. They would do it if I insisted but said at least three times it was unnecessary. That leads me to the conclusion that, they won't be doing the service because if anything were to go wrong, they will fall back on the fact that it was something I wanted and unnecessary. I have a feeling that some of the older mechanics have left and or they have some problems with their staff doing it. I'm going to look into some higher end transmission shops up in Louisville and see how they are. Ultimately, I may just wait and do it myself.

 

Yes, it's true, the turn over rate is high. Find a quality transmission shop and have them change the filter/pan and fluid. Getting a peek inside will tell you everything you need to know about your transmission. If it's clean and the change was unnecessary you just bought yourself a boat load of confidence, (priceless). If its dirty and there's a bunch of clutch material on the magnet then you know where you stand and can make educated choices about next steps.

 

183,000 on my 2014 RT Shaker….Never had the transmission service….i guess it mite be time…😂

 

You may not want to at this point.

 

Which is why me, and it looks like others, are confused by all this.
If I do the Transmission service now, is it going to damage the transmission?
Seems some here say yes, others say no.
Ask 10 people….get about 8, somewhat different answers..😂

 

Can we use the trans temp gauge in the car from the performance pages to monitor the temp for final fill instead of the scan tool?

 

Yes you can.

 

At 183,000 miles, your transmission could be nearing its end of life. There is one school of thought that feels that the clutch material that's being carried in the fluid might just be what's keeping it from slipping. With that many miles on it, changing the fluid isn't going to help and if those folks are right you just might shave miles off the remaining time it has.

If it was mine, I'd pay down the balance on my credit cards and then have it serviced. If the service caused the tranny to fail, then I'd have the resources to replace it.

 

No help, but if it were mine, I would run it until the A8 finally gives up with those miles on it.

If it's shifting fine, enjoy it as is.

 

Haven't done this yet for me. But I did take a step by clipping the coupon for $50 off from one dealership and $75 off from another. Coupon good till 12/31/25.

New question.

The official answer from Dodge is that it's "lifetime." Let's go with that for now. That would mean most of their dealership Technicians probably never done one themselves. How would they have any experience doing this (correctly) if it's lifetime and not a needed service at all. Therefore, I would be paying for a service, dealership prices, on something they perhaps are not good at or never done it?

 

I will be taking mine to a transmission shop that I can trust that is performed this particular service on this transmission routinely. I don’t trust a dealership to do this the right way.

 

If you go to a shop that works on BMWs regularly, they use the 8HP70 in multiple models

A Guy

 

And recall reading that BMW actually does have a service interval for this service and not "lifetime."

Has anyone taken their Challenger (Charger/300) to a independent BMW repair shop?

 

Love the ZF 8HP70. One of the best, IF not the best transmission out there. Strong enough now for the Ram truck behind the Cummins this year.
Yeah it doesn't have to be hard to change the fluid. They could have made it serviceable friendly in our Challengers.

My old Dodge Ram 2500 has the 48RE transmission behind the Cummins. Super easy to service. If you take the pan off, the filter is right there and held on with a couple bolts, drops straight down.
I have a pan that has a drain plug so you can drain the transmission fluid first. Refill transmission via the 'dipstick' tube ! Do you hear that Dodge! A real dipstick tube!
I haven't boosted the HP in the engine so the transmission is fine after 20 years. Changing that transmission fluid is important and worthwhile.

Changing the transmission fluid in the Lexus is a squirrelly deal also.

best regards
parrott

 

I wouldn't say specifically a BMW shop as not only would it cost more, but with the type of owners they may deal with, there may be a surcharge for that

A Guy