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Key Takeaways on Fluids & Filters for Jeep Gladiator 3.6L V6

g2020

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Verified off-road interval for AMSOIL differential fluid...Exact MOPAR fluid equivalent (plus backup equivalents) for automatic transmission...ZF guidance on fluid interval for automatic transmission...Unpleasant surprise from Prestone...and more.

In one-third the reading time, this article will give you the key takeaways from my first three posts on fluids & filters.


#1 Key takeaway: In general, the service interval for severe service or trailer towing is 40% to 50% of the service interval for normal driving
- Applies to all fluids & filters: In addition to following much shorter service intervals for power train fluids, brake fluid, and all filters as noted below, be sure to follow recommended frequent inspection of steering components, including power steering fluid, and annual/seasonal inspection of antifreeze

- Also see "What is Severe Duty?" at the beginning of Fluid and Filter Lineup

Vehicle: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport with 3.6L V6 (Gasoline), 8-Speed Automatic 850RE Transmission, Sales Code DRE (obtained from dealer), Trac-Lok Anti-Spin Rear Differential, and Trailer Tow Package
- Fluids & filters are the same, except for rear differential fluid & cabin air filter, for all trim levels and model years with the same type of engine & transmission

Table of Contents

1. Friendly Reminders
2. Introduction
3. Critical Considerations

3.1 - Engine air filter type - Frowning on oiled reusable engine air filter for off-road use
3.2 - Motor oil longevity - Normal max = 10,000 mi or 1 year, whichever comes first; OFF-ROAD MAX = 4,000 mi; for best results, pay attention to oil change indicator
3.3 - Differential fluid longevity - Verified service interval for AMSOIL Severe Gear differential fluid
3.4 - Rear differential fluid grade for trailer towing - Discussion of whether to use 75W-85 or 75W-140 for trailer towing
3.5 - Fluid interval for automatic transmission - The link missing (or the missing link) from the owner's manual
3.6 - Fluid options for automatic transmission - Exact MOPAR fluid equivalent (plus backup equivalents) for automatic transmission
4. Other Products by Brand
4.1 - Prestone - Product-finder results and notes on brake fluid compliance
4.2 - Pennzoil - Dealers' choice of motor oil, and two upgrade options
4.3 - Mobil 1 - Notes on lack of stated compliance for Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube LS, and whether it is necessary to use Mobil Delvac 1 in the front differential
5. Fluid & Filter Uniformity - Guidance on standardization of fluids & filters, including exceptions
6. References - List of links, and pages from the owner's manual, referenced in this article
7. Other Posts by the Same Gladiator Owner

1. Friendly Reminders

1. Don't drop your torque wrench
2. Double-check part numbers and quantities after you double-check them
3. If the terms of your vehicle warranty require that you have oil & filter changes done at an automotive repair shop, choose one that is owned by someone who doesn't consider it too much of a hassle to use correct torques and standard tools (no metric tools required for changing oil & filter)

2. Introduction

With the exception of motor oil longevity, I was not familiar with this content until I researched it for my other posts. It was especially important to increase my awareness of engine air filter types, motor oil longevity, and the fluid service interval for the automatic transmission. These three topics are hot-button issues. If necessary, supplement the findings in this post with your own research so you can be fully informed.

Three other very important topics include differential fluid longevity, fluid options for the automatic transmission, and brake fluid options. To ensure that I correctly determined the service interval, or longevity, of AMSOIL Severe Gear differential fluid, I called AMSOIL and spoke with their technical team. For transmission fluid options, a fair amount of research was required to verify the equivalencies of the ZF & Chrysler transmissions, ZF & MOPAR fluids (exact match), a third ZF-approved fluid, and MOPAR & AMSOIL fluids. For brake fluid, I was surprised when, on December 12, 2024, the Prestone product-finder showed inconsistent search results on brake fluid options for a 2020 Jeep Gladiator.

These and other topics are discussed below.

3. Critical Considerations

3.1
- Engine air filter type: As supported by ISO testing and feedback from some experienced members of this forum, an oiled reusable engine air filter may not be the right choice for a vehicle that is frequently taken off-road
- With that said, I will keep my engine air filter as-is because I rarely take my vehicle off-road
- Updated in April 2025: I have changed my preference to a paper filter because the warranty on a particular brand of oiled cotton filter does not cover damage to other parts.

Note on Severe Duty: If using in dusty or off-road conditions, the 2020 Gladiator User Guide (owner's manual) recommends inspecting the engine air filter at every oil change

3.2 - Motor oil longevity:

Normal Use:
Full synthetic oil change intervals MUST NOT EXCEED 10,000 mi, 12 months, or 350 hrs of engine run time, whichever comes first (as stated on page 196 of 2020 Gladiator owner's manual)
Severe Duty: Full synthetic oil change intervals for Severe Duty MUST NOT EXCEED 4,000 mi or 350 hrs of engine run time; for motor oil, Severe Duty use includes operating a vehicle in a dusty and OFF-ROAD environment, predominantly at idle, or only at very low RPM (also as stated on page 196 of 2020 Gladiator owner's manual)

3.3 - Differential fluid longevity: AMSOIL Severe Gear differential fluid provides superb performance, but it is important to know their warranty limitations (see AMSOIL product data sheet)

The following guidance was obtained from the AMSOIL data sheet and in a phone call with AMSOIL

Notes on AMSOIL Severe Gear longevity:
  • For Normal Service use, longevity is 100,00 mi (see AMSOIL data sheet)
  • For Severe Service use, including off-road use of a Light Truck, longevity is 50,000 mi (see AMSOIL data sheet); this is 25% higher than the off-road mileage service interval listed in the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual (see p. 200); there is no limit on duration listed on the data sheet
  • In a phone call with the AMSOIL technical team, they assured me, unequivocally, that "Heavy-Duty Off-Road" applies to Class A commercial vehicles used off-road, such as large dump trucks, and does not apply to a Jeep Gladiator
  • See AMSOIL product data sheet for additional information on dusty or dirty conditions, and water contamination
3.4 - Rear differential fluid grade for trailer towing:

Although trailer towing (a form of heavy-duty or severe use) is not cited in the introduction in section 2 above, I have included this topic as a key takeaway because, in my opinion, some Gladiator owners want to be told outright how to do it right the first time. Fortunately, we have a post on this forum that paves the way for even a novice to make a sound decision based on documented facts and generally healthy debate. I used the owner's manual, manufacturer & service documents, and the aforementioned post to draw my own conclusion at the end of this section.
  1. Check the owner's manual, confirm your findings with the dealer, and check other posts on this forum for guidance on whether to use SAE 75W-140 in the rear differential
  2. There are two separate references to rear differential fluid on p. 234 of the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual:
    1. SAE 75W-140 (API GL-5) is recommended for "Rear M200 Sales Code DRZ"
    2. SAE 75W-85 (API GL-5) is recommended for "Rear M220 Sales Codes DRE/DRF"
  3. Rear differential fluid must be compliant with API GL-5 and should be compliant with material standard MS-A0450 (for lubricant, SAE 75W-85) or MS-8985 (for lubricant, SAE 75W-140)
  4. If equipped with a Trac-Lok limited slip (LS) rear differential (see DRE/DRF in owner's manual), a friction modifier additive is required; the fluid for a Trac-Lok limited slip differential should be compliant with not only MS-A0450 or MS-8985, but also MS.10111 (for friction modifier)
  5. An internal dealer spec sheet states: "If equipped with a Trailer Tow package use...SAE 75W-140"
  6. For a subset of vehicles equipped with a Trailer Tow package, the internal dealer spec sheet is in direct conflict with guidance on Sales Codes DRE/DRF in the owner's manual
  7. A related post on rear differential fluid and other drive train fluids does not completely settle the rear differential fluid grade debate, but it does offer evidence for both options:
    1. Use only SAE 75W-85 (for DRE/DRF): Follow the owner's manual as specified
    2. Use SAE 75W-140 for trailer towing or in rebuild: Also consider dealer service data from Dealer Tech Authority (same as internal dealer spec sheet) and OEM supplier rebuild guidelines from DANA
  • Conclusion on rear differential fluid grade for trailer towing:
    • With multiple points of documented guidance and expert opinion, SAE 75W-140 may be used during a service interval in which frequent trailer towing occurs
    • Due diligence: Confirm decision with dealer, change fluid on accelerated (heavy-duty/severe use) basis, and inspect metal shavings/debris at each fluid change
    • As the thicker grade, SAE 75W-140 increases protection and decreases fuel economy
    • If little or no trailer towing is expected after next fluid change, switch back to default grade of SAE 75W-85 (see DRE/DRF on p. 234 of 2020 Gladiator owner's manual)
Off-manual guidance:
  • SAE 75W-85 provides better fuel economy, but SAE 75W-140 offers greater durability; as a Dana Rebuild Specification, SAE 75W-140 may be used for both axles; also see items 4 & 9 in my post on Key Info
3.5 - Fluid interval for automatic transmission: ZF recommends changing the fluid for its automatic transmissions every 93,000 mi, or sooner when 1) operated under high temperatures, 2) subjected to heavy loads, or 3) past vehicle use is unknown, as noted on the first page of this ZF product data sheet (see doc #2 in ATF Equivalents); "OFF-ROAD" is not specified

3.6 - Fluid options for automatic transmission: For the ZF 8HP50 / Chrysler 850RE automatic transmission, three ZF-approved (see doc #1 in ATF Equivalents) lubricant options (including MOPAR) and one AMSOIL option (with no ZF approval) are shown below:

Exact match: MOPAR 68218925AB is equivalent to ZF LifeguardFluid 9 (see option 2 below)
Notes: The fact that ZF owns the formula (see doc #2 in ATF Equivalents) might explain why there is no material standard (MS-number) listed on the MOPAR label; Jeep may list a requirement, but ZF approves the compliance; the price of ZF LifeguardFluid 9 (imported) can be only slightly lower than MOPAR 68218925AB (made in USA with domestic and imported components), but ZF products have been known to go on sale

Note: According to an informal survey of service managers at a major chain of dealerships, changing the fluid for the automatic transmission oneself (DIY) will void the warranty

Summary of Lubricant Options for Chrysler 850RE Automatic Transmission in Jeep Gladiator

1. MOPAR 8 & 9 Speed ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid
(MOPAR 68218925AB): Jeep requires the use of MOPAR 68218925AB or equivalent; see p. 234 in 2020 Gladiator owner's manual; "ZF" is mentioned on the back label; 1-quart size from dealer or MOPAR eStore
2. ZF LifeguardFluid 9 (ZF No. AA01.500.001): MOPAR 68218925AB is a ZF-approved equivalent (see doc #1 in ATF Equivalents) to ZF No. AA01.500.001; 1-liter size from www.fcpeuro.com
3. ZF LifeguardFluid 8 (ZF No. S671 090 312): The ZF-approved (see doc #1 in ATF Equivalents) and ZF-branded lubricant for the ZF 8HP50 / Chrysler 850RE automatic transmission is ZF No. S671 090 312; 1-liter size from www.fcpeuro.com
4. AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATLPK-EA): The AMSOIL equivalent to MOPAR 68218925AB is AMSOIL ATLPK-EA (no ZF approval number, see Notes on claimed equivalents in this section below); 1-quart size from www.amsoil.com

The part number cross-references (proof from the lookups) are provided in the following two paragraphs in my fluid and filter lineup post:

11. Transmission fluid | Automatic Transmission | ZF-Approved Lubricants
11. Transmission fluid | Automatic Transmission | Lubricants with No ZF Approval

Notes on claimed equivalents:
  • Depending on the consumer protection laws in your country, the use of a claimed equivalent fluid can void a warranty
  • Definition of claimed equivalent: An aftermarket fluid that its manufacturer claims is a part-to-part equivalent to the OEM original, but is not published on the list of approved equivalents managed by the approver of the compliance
  • In the case of ATF for the Chrysler 850RE automatic transmission, a claimed equivalent is a fluid that is not approved by ZF; ZF owns the formula and approves the compliance (see doc #1 in ATF Equivalents)
  • AMSOIL product code ATLPK-EA is a claimed equivalent (no ZF approval number)
  • Depending on the consumer protection laws in your country, consider using a claimed equivalent only after the warranty has expired
4. Other Products by Brand

4.1
- Prestone (from their product-finder):

On December 12, 2024:
Antifreeze/coolant: There were five Prestone antifreeze/coolant options for both 2020 Jeep Gladiator selection criteria; also see my post on PEAK coolant
Brake fluid: There were no Prestone brake fluid options for 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and two options for 2020 Jeep Gladiator 6 Cylinder 3.6 Liters (no comment on diesel)
Power steering fluid: Brake fluid: There were no Prestone power steering fluid options for 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and four options for 2020 Jeep Gladiator 6 Cylinder 3.6 Liters

Notes on Prestone brake fluid compliance:
MOPAR:
1. Jeep recommends that you use "MOPAR DOT 3 brake fluid, SAE J1703" (see p. 234 of 2020 Gladiator owner's manual)
2. Material standard MS.4574 is listed on the label of MOPAR Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid (MOPAR 04318080AD, DOT 3, SAE J1703, MS.4574)
Prestone:
3. It is common knowledge that Prestone synthetic brake fluid, available off-the-shelf everywhere, meets DOT 3 and SAE J1703
4. Using only the (2020) Gladiator owner's manual, it appears that Prestone synthetic brake fluid is a suitable aftermarket alternative to the OEM option
5. However, the Prestone product-finder showed, unexpectedly, that brake fluid options for a 2020 Jeep Gladiator were inconsistent across selection criteria on the check date shown in the introduction above
- For brake fluid, no results were displayed for the selection criteria "2020 Jeep Gladiator", and 2 search results were displayed for "2020 Jeep Gladiator 6 Cylinder 3.6 Liters"
6. Also, Prestone does not state, on the label or on its website, that Prestone synthetic brake fluid meets material standard MS.4574
Preference:
7. I will continue to use MOPAR 04318080AD or a different brake fluid that meets or exceeds DOT 3 (federal grade), SAE J1703 (industry standard), and MS.4574 (material standard)

4.2 - Pennzoil:

Motor oil:

Pennzoil Platinum
is the full synthetic motor oil of choice for Jeep dealers; upgrade options include, but are not limited to, Mobil 1 Extended Performance (26.0% higher price than Pennzoil Platinum) and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (23.8% higher price than Pennzoil Platinum); price comparisons done on www.walmart.com in mid-November 2024
Notes:
- The warranty on Pennzoil Platinum & Pennzoil Ultra Platinum excludes Severe Duty
- As mentioned in my post on product preferences, M1 EP is one of the brands to which I am loyal

4.3 - Mobil 1:

Differential fluid clarification:


1. Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube LS SAE 75W-90 is for "both conventional and limited slip applications", making it unnecessary to buy Mobil Delvac 1 Syn Gear Oil SAE 75W-90, without friction modifier, separately

2. Although Mobil 1 is unable to state that Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube LS meets material standards MS-A0450 (lubricant) and MS.10111 (friction modifier), Mobil 1 is a high quality brand, an SAE 75W-90 grade is acceptable for use in a Gladiator, and a brand-loyal user of Mobil 1, again, does not need to buy the Mobil Delvac 1 counterpart (without friction modifier) for the front differential unless the price is lower
Note: With a total purchase of $109 (notice the nine) or more to get free shipping, Summit Racing offers Mobil 1 Syn Gear Lube LS SAE 75W-90 at a competitive price

3. With that said, AMSOIL Severe Gear 100% Synthetic Gear Lube SAE 75W-85 complies with material standards, matches the recommended grade, and comes highly recommended
Note: As mentioned in my post on product preferences, AMSOIL Severe Gear is one of the brands to which I am loyal

5. Fluid & Filter Uniformity

With some exceptions, all Gladiators from the factory, for all trim levels and model years, use the same fluids & filters as of December 2024

Exceptions:
  1. ATF, for transmission, is different for automatic vs. manual
    1. ATF, for any transfer case, is the same
  2. No transmission oil filter in manual transmission
  3. No clutch fluid (same as brake fluid) in models equipped with automatic transmission
  4. Motor oil is different for gas vs. diesel
  5. Oil filter is different for gas vs. diesel
  6. Rear differential fluid grade varies depending on two factors:
    1. Sales Code, as noted on p. 234 of the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual
    2. Trailer towing, as noted on last page of internal dealer spec sheet; also see section 3.4 above
  7. Cabin air filter part number can vary by model year
Lean manufacturing model:

The standardized fluid & filter model offers economies of scale, minimization of fluid & filter and vehicle production costs, long-term brand sustainability & support, and ecological benefits resulting from the smallest possible combination of components for both fluid & filter manufacturing and the vehicle line itself

- Section tags: compatibility, compatible, consistency, consistent, identical, interchangeability, interchangeable, same, sameness, standardization, standardize, standardized, substitutability, substitute, suitable, suitability, uniform, uniformity
- Out of scope in this section: Fuel, fuel filter, windshield washer fluid, A/C refrigerant oil, and (other) diesel-only fluids & filters


6. References

Jeep ALL-NEW 2020 GLADIATOR USER GUIDE (owner's manual), back cover: 20_JT_UG_EN_USC, All-New Gladiator Second Edition User Guide, pp. 196-197, 200, 234

7. Other Posts by the Same Gladiator Owner

This post is a collection of links to my articles on fluids & filters for a Jeep Gladiator
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Maximus Gladius

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4. AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATLPK-EA): The AMSOIL equivalent to MOPAR 68218925AB is AMSOIL ATLPK-EA (no ZF approval number); 1-quart size from www.amsoil.com
Just to be very clear and adding to the fact there is no ZF approval # as you have listed, and that I was personally affected by the question asked of ZF by Mopar engineers at the direction of CEO and President of Stellantis (at the time of the investigation of imploded transmission after AMSOIL’s data sheet “equivalent” ATF was used), ZF was asked by engineers “is AMSOIL’s spec approved ATF equivalent to MOPAR 8/9 Speed ATF?” ZF answered, “NO it is not and is not approved for use.”

I was then told by AMSOIL “do not use our ATF if you have a warranty. After warranty expires, our ATF should be good to use”.
THAT IS NOT WHAT THEIR DATA SHEET STATES and is misleading and a false document.

I was stuck with the transmission replacement 7.5 months later and AMSOIL refused to come to the table and deal with Chrysler.
 
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g2020

g2020

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Just to be very clear and adding to the fact there is no ZF approval # as you have listed, and that I was personally affected by the question asked of ZF by Mopar engineers at the direction of CEO and President of Stellantis (at the time of the investigation of imploded transmission after AMSOIL’s data sheet “equivalent” ATF was used), ZF was asked by engineers “is AMSOIL’s spec approved ATF equivalent to MOPAR 8/9 Speed ATF?” ZF answered, “NO it is not and is not approved for use.”

I was then told by AMSOIL “do not use our ATF if you have a warranty. After warranty expires, our ATF should be good to use”.
THAT IS NOT WHAT THEIR DATA SHEET STATES and is misleading and a false document.

I was stuck with the transmission replacement 7.5 months later and AMSOIL refused to come to the table and deal with Chrysler.
  • The following comment has been added to section 3.6, option 4:
    • "see Notes on claimed equivalents in this section below"
  • I had already added the subsection, Notes on claimed equivalents, to section 3.6 as a direct result of your experience
I thought about removing option 4 altogether, but it is important to know about claimed equivalents for any fluid or filter. Keeping option 4 and its trail of footnotes and references (including your reply above) will help others.​
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