AAMCO guy straight shooter?

[Dick '97FLHRI]

My wife has a '95 Grand Cherokee with 146,000 miles on it. I've been getting the auto trans serviced about every 40k miles and it was over due this week. The two previous times I took it to the Jeep dealer and the service ran about $150-$160. This time I took it to the AAMCO guy where it costs only $90. Now here's the question: the manual says to use ATF+.
The AAMCO guy said they use dexronIII/mercon in all the vehicles with no problem, and they used that ATF in this Chrysler trans.

I want to bring my '99 Grand Cherokee in for trans service. but I am uncomfortable with this dexronIII for all approach, so I bought a case of Quacker State ATF+3 and am going to supply it to him for the filter and ATF change.

So what's up with the AAMCO guy, is his position on the dexronIII for all vechicles well founded or BS?

 

[Cutehumor]

Total BS. sounds like he wants you to have a transmission problem so he can bill you for a transmission rebuild. I would stick with chrysler spec fluid. you have 140k+ with what I assume with chrysler spec fluid. why change to a different fluid now? what you have been doing has worked for you. there have been many instances where the fluid brought to them is never used in the first place..I've read it many times on this board..

 

[unDummy]

Stick with the manual recommended OEM-type fluid.

AAMCO makes a living on rebuilds. For every one good rebuilding shop, there are plenty of hack shops.

He should've at least recommended a fluid converter(lubegard/smartblend) if using dexron.

Avoid this shop!

 

[Pablo]

Not gonna badmouth Aamco, but do deep websearch....(I actually don't know what will turn up).

The guy is incorrect nonetheless. Use a fluid that meets the 95 requirements, or even better the latest requirements. Generic Dexron is not recommended.

 

[Dick '97FLHRI]

Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I have an appointment on Saturday with him to put the ATF+3 in my '99 Grand Cherokee and Redline ATF in my manual trans F-150, both of which are specified in manual and I am supplying. I want to watch the stuff go in to be sure. If he has a problem with that I'll walk.

 

[Ed]

Really surprised at the Aamco guy, especially when you consider that AAmco actually sells ATF+3.
I saw large quantities of AAmco branded ATF+3 at the local parts store.

I any case you should really be using ATF+4. Too bad it's only available at the dealer for mucho$$$.
That situation should change as there are some lawsuits pending regarding that practice.
Ed

 

[Lubricious]

quote:

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Originally posted by **** '97FLHRI:
Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I have an appointment on Saturday with him to put the ATF+3 in my '99 Grand Cherokee and Redline ATF in my manual trans F-150, both of which are specified in manual and I am supplying. I want to watch the stuff go in to be sure. If he has a problem with that I'll walk.

---

Haven't you seen enough? Don't go there!
AAMCO stores were famous for their "free" transmission service. They dropped the pan, then showed the people the iron filings on the magnets and told them they needed about $500 of repairs. If they said no, they dumped the used oil back in and bolted the dirty filter pan back on, and broomed them out the door. Next!

 

[Dick '97FLHRI]

Lub- You're right! Yesterday after reading the comments on this string, I did a goggle search and couldn't find anything positive about dexronIII in lieu of ATF+, 2/3 etc. It really pissed me off that the AAMCO guy did that. In fact, especially why does he brag about this being OK? really seems sort of stupid.

So this am when I got up, I got out my Mityvac fluid extractor plus and was able to pull out 2 qts out of the trans and then refill with ATF +3. I think the total fluid capacity is about 10 qts, and it takes 4 qts with a filter and fluid change, so I got a little les than a quart of the dexron III out of there.

I went on and did an oil change on the Jeep with Mobil 1 10w30, and then went on to my 2001 F-150 and dumped the factory fill ATF in the manual trans and put in a couple of qts of Redline synthetic D4 ATF. I had been wanting to do that for months. This was a under car in the driveway situation, where I used a hand suction/pressure thing that could only load and push a quart at a time.

Anyway, I will be going to the dealer for ATF+4 to be changed into the '99 Grand Cherokee.

Thanks again, its good to have this board as a sounding board, its a real resource.