Chrysler Automatic Transmission Fluids

Short description: None

1954 Mopar Type "A" ATF

Mopar branded automatic transmission fluids (ATF) have been available for use in Chrysler transmissions since 1953. Other Mopar branded fluids for their Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmissions were available as early as 1938. Chrysler used the Dexron automatic transmission fluid specification devised by General Motors from 1968 through 1988. In 1989, Chrysler began specifying fluid meeting their own specification, different from Dexron.

Various transmissions require specific fluids to operate properly. Chrysler has upgraded and expanded their Mopar ATF specifications and fluid offerings over the years, and newer fluids are not necessarily backward compatible with previous fluids.

## Contents

* 1 1938 - Fluid Drive fluid
* 1.1 1953 - GM Type "A" fluid
* 1.2 1957 - GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid
* 2 Mopar fluids
* 2.1 1966 - type MS-3256 fluid
* 2.2 1968 - type MS-4228 fluid
* 2.3 1989 - ATF+ type MS-7176 fluid
* 2.4 1991 - ATF+2 type MS-7176D fluid
* 2.5 1993 - ATF+3 type MS-7176E fluid
* 2.6 1998 - ATF+4 type MS-9602 fluid
* 2.7 2006 - CVTF+4 fluid
* 2.8 2008 - ASRC fluid
* 2.9 2013 - 8 & 9 speed fluid
* 3 Example Maintenance Schedules
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## 1938 - Fluid Drive fluid

1939-1951 Mopar Fluid Drive fluid

In 1938, for the 1939 model year, Chrysler offered the “Fluid Drive” in the Custom Imperial. This car had a three-speed manual transmission connected to a conventional clutch and clutch pedal system; the clutch pressure plate was connected to the engine through a sealed 2-element fluid coupling.

The fluid coupling allowed the engine to stay running with the vehicle stopped and the transmission in gear. The fluid coupling was partially filled with fluid drive fluid; the transmission gearbox itself used regular gear oil.

A revised fluid drive with a vacuum-shifted 4-speed gearbox was offered on Chrysler and Desoto models for the 1941 and 1942 model years.[citation needed] This M3 also used Mopar fluid drive fluid in the fluid coupling and regular gear oil in the transmission.

After World War II, Chrysler offered the fluid drive with several different 4-speed gearboxes. As before, the fluid drive fluid was used in the fluid coupling, and the gearbox used a specified grade of oil. The latest revision of this round of transmissions used a torque converter rather than a fluid coupling; these used motor oil rather than fluid drive fluid.

### 1953 - GM Type "A" fluid

1954 Mopar Type "A" ATF. GM License No. AQ-ATF-600

From 1949 to 1958, every automatic transmission produced by Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, GMC, Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Desoto, Packard, and Studebaker used GM Type "A" transmission fluid.[citation needed]

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

Chrysler released their first fully-automatic transmission—the PowerFlite 2-speed—for the 1954 model year. This new automatic transmission used the GM Type "A" automatic transmission fluid. 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.

### 1957 - GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid

1959 Mopar Type "A" Suffix "A" ATF

1964 Mopar Type "A" Suffix "A" ATF. GM License No. AQ-ATF-2849A

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. 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.

## Mopar fluids

### 1966 - type MS-3256 fluid

In 1966, Chrysler released their own automatic transmission fluid Material Standard (MS-3256), substantially the same as GM Type "A" Suffix "A" fluid.

### 1968 - type MS-4228 fluid

Dexron(B) and Dexron-II(D)

1978 Mopar Dexron (B) ATF. GM License No. B11536

1978 Mopar Dexron II(D) ATF. GM License No. D-20866

In 1968, Chrysler released automatic transmission fluid Material Standard (MS-4228)[1] 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) and the Dexron-II(D) fluids; they were marketed under the Mopar brand name.

### 1989 - ATF+ type MS-7176 fluid

ATF+ type MS-7176 fluid

1989 Mopar ATF+ type MS-7176 fluid Front

1989 Mopar ATF+ type MS-7176 fluid Rear

In 1989[citation needed], Chrysler released the ATF+ automatic transmission fluid Material Standard (MS-7176) in conjunction with the new Ultradrive electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.

### 1991 - ATF+2 type MS-7176D fluid

This was a short-lived updated version of ATF+.

### 1993 - ATF+3 type MS-7176E fluid

1993 Mopar ATF+3 ATF Front Label

1993 Mopar ATF+3 ATF Rear Label

In 1993, Chrysler released the ATF+3 automatic transmission fluid Material Standard (MS-7176E) to help address the fluid needs of electronically controlled automatic transmissions. This fluid is compatible with the previous ATF+ and ATF+2 fluid.

### 1998 - ATF+4 type MS-9602 fluid

Mopar ATF+4 fluid

2009 Mopar ATF+4 front

2009 Mopar ATF+4 rear

Chrysler released the ATF+4 Material Standard (MS-9602) in 1998.[2] The ATF+4 fluid is composed of a Texaco produced[citation needed] Extra High Viscosity Index (XHVI)[citation needed] Group 3 base oil plus an additive package developed by Lubrizol.[3] This fluid outperforms and outlasts the previous ATF+3 fluid Material Standard and was first used in some Chrysler minivan transmissions in November of 1999.[citation needed] This fluid is considered a "Fill for Life" fluid by Chrysler.

The ATF+4 Type MS-9602 Fluid Material Standard was revised in 2003 (MS-6902 Change C) for the newly developed 6-speed transmissions.[citation needed] This fluid is compatible with the previous ATF+, ATF+2, and ATF+3 fluids.

This fluid was first used in the following transmissions:

* 40TE/41TE 4-speed 2000[4]

### 2006 - CVTF+4 fluid

2007 Chrysler CVTF+4 fluid

2007 Chrysler CVTF+4 front

2007 Chrysler CVTF+4 rear

Beginning with the 2007 model year, Chrysler began using Jatco Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) in some of their vehicles; for example the 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot; CVTF+4 is the specified fluid.

### 2008 - ASRC fluid

Mopar ARSC ATF

Mopar ARSC ATF Front

Mopar ARSC ATF Rear

In 2008, for the 2009 model year, Chrysler sources Aisin-Sieki for 6-speed transmissions for use with the higher torque Cummins diesel engines. The ASRC fluid is required for these transmissions. The package rear panel reads "This fluid is recommended for use in transmissions made by Aisin-Seiki requiring Type T-IV fluids."

### 2013 - 8 & 9 speed fluid

2013 Mopar 8 & 9 ATF

2013 Mopar 8 & 9 ATF Front

2013 Mopar 8 & 9 ATF Rear

Chrysler began installing Aisin and ZF 8- and 9-speed automatic transmissions and transaxles in 2013, and marketing the ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid as Mopar 8 & 9 Speed ATF.[5][6] This fluid is not compatible with any other Chrysler or Dexron fluids.

## Example Maintenance Schedules

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|

Mopar ATF Change Interval under "Normal Driving" Conditions*

Fluid Specification |  |  |  | Miles
1953 Type "A" |

| 10,000
1957 Type "A" Suffix "A" |

| 15,000
1966 MS-3256 |

| 24,000
1968 MS-4228 |

| 24,000
1973 ATF+ |

| 50,000
1980 ATF+2 |

| 50,000
1993 ATF+3 |

| 50,000
1998 ATF+4 |

| 100,000
2008 ASRC |

| 120,000
2013 8 & 9 Speed |

| 150,000

Mopar ATF Change Interval under "Severe Driving" Conditions*

Fluid Specification |  |  |  | Miles
1953 Type "A" |

| 5,000
1957 Type "A" Suffix "A" |

| 7,500
1966 MS-3256 |

| 12,000
1968 MS-4228 |

| 12,000
1973 ATF+ |

| 25,000
1980 ATF+2 |

| 25,000
1993 ATF+3 |

| 25,000
1998 ATF+4 |

| 50,000
2008 ASRC |

| 60,000
2013 8 & 9 Speed |

| 62,000

## See also

* GM DEXRON automatic transmission fluids
* Ford MERCON automatic transmission fluids
* Toyota automatic transmission fluids
* Automatic Transmission Fluids (general information)

## References

1. ↑ Wagner, James C.; Kobe, Raymond A. (1968-02-01). "The Chrysler TorqueFlite and Automatic Transmission Fluid" (in English). SAE Technical Paper Series. 1. SAE International. doi:10.4271/680036. https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/680036/. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
2. ↑ "Chrysler transmission fluids: 7176, ATF+3, ATF+4". https://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/fluids.html.
3. ↑ Sumiejski, James L.; Skrobul, Anthony P.; King, Tracey E.; Florkowski, Dennis W. (1998-10-19). "Development and Introduction of Chrysler's New Automatic Transmission Fluid" (in English). SAE Technical Paper Series. 1. SAE International. doi:10.4271/982674. https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/982674/. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
4. ↑ Chrysler Technical Service Bulletin 21-18-99 Nov 5, 1999 Torque Converter Break In Information/ATF +4 Update
5. ↑ "Lubricants and Oil Change Kits for Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles" (in en). ZF Friedrichshafen AG. https://aftermarket.zf.com/us/en/aftermarket-portal/passenger-cars-and-lcv/spare-parts-and-products/oil-and-oil-change-kits/.
6. ↑ https://aftermarket.zf.com/us/en/aftermarket-portal/passenger-cars-and-lcv/spare-parts-and-products/oil-and-oil-change-kits/ Oil and Oil Change Kits The Right Oil for your Passenger Car Transmission

## External links

* A Look at Changes in Automatic Transmission Fluid
* FCA ATF+4® Licensing Program

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