Automatic Transmission fluid change interval s on 2021 JT

[Maximus Gladius]

At 98,000 I had my fluid check by the dealership and they said there was nothing abnormal about the fluid. They said there was no water or gunk so I didn't need to change the fluid.

Here:

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[WILDHOBO]

Here:

What I hate is he’s recommending g a flush. Don’t do that. Just short change it a couple times if you want more new fluid. Too many things could be dislodged by a flush, killing the tranny. I’m not a trans expert by any means. I’m passing along what I’ve learned from experts.

 

[Hootbro]

At 98,000 I had my fluid check by the dealership and they said there was nothing abnormal about the fluid. They said there was no water or gunk so I didn't need to change the fluid.

Unless they did a proper oil analysis, whatever they did was all subjective and no impact to them if they are wrong.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

So, guess what…in that video, the guy does a great job of explaining the importance of changing the tranny fluid because “clutch wear”, (that is continuous) “changes the friction modifiers”….so (in his opinion) “changes it every 50k miles, end of story”.

Well, guess what, you don’t “have to wait” 50k miles, you don’t even have to wait 10k or 5k miles. In my opinion (and I’m nobody), you can change it at 500-1000 miles, get the break-in crap out. As your plates and gears are finding their happy place of fitment, the moving parts sheer off the manufactured surfaces. The bits that knock off and float around knocking other bits off and so on and so on cause heat and damage.

The debris whipping around smashing, sheering, scraping other surfaces causes friction. The debris and damage just compounds. Think of it another way, imagine your a storm chaser and you just came upon a tornado like no one has ever seen and into the swirling force you go, and there you are, stuck for 3 solid hours you’re whipping around with train cars, trees, cows, rocks and sand.

But what you didn’t know is that you have a super power that enables you to clean all that debris out of the air whipping around so now your ride is nice and smooth and now you don’t feel anything, the ride is quiet and pleasant.

You all have the super power to change the oil, you only make the manufacturer mad and void your warranty if they find out.

We have all heard (and some of you will read this for the first time) that there is a belief that all that debris whipping around and collecting on the clutch plates is necessary in order for the plates to function properly, because look what happens when the oil is changed after a gazzilian miles. The tranny slips and you should have left it alone and that line of thinking is well entrenched for decades and so it becomes TRUTH and our habits are formed by this truth. I’ll bet there’s one seasoned member here that “leave it alone” is a rule.

Why doesn’t a brand new transmission slip the whole time until there’s enough debris to help the clutches perform as they should? Why doesn’t the customer who is driving their brand spanking new vehicle off the lot not need anyone behind pushing because the transmission slips too much because the oil is too new and clean? It’s BULLSHIT truth.

Change the oil, keep it clean, maintain it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, "Dave's Auto Center" - of course. Really unbiased. Another Youtube "in my opinion" not to mention driving business their way.
Sorry, but here we go again. For most people - going 70-80K is nothing at all. It's when they load it up, let it "hunt" gears, constant shifting, all in-town driving and so on that you start cutting miles off of that number.
I do have to chuckle at some of the "auto mechanics" out there posting on YT.
I get so much of that stuff on my feeds "I'm an auto mechanic and these are things you should never do" types of things. But it generates clicks and revenue.

We have all heard (and some of you will read this for the first time) that there is a belief that all that debris whipping around and collecting on the clutch plates is necessary in order for the plates to function properly, because look what happens when the oil is changed after a gazzilian miles. The tranny slips and you should have left it alone and that line of thinking is well entrenched for decades and so it becomes TRUTH and our habits are formed by this truth. I’ll bet there’s one seasoned member here that “leave it alone” is a rule.

That's new - never heard that one before!
Fact is, that old fluid was probably so thick it didn't leak past the worn seals, and the new fluid at proper viscosity leaked past the seals and finally, it had the correct coefficient of friction. Sure, you could put mud in there LOL.
Yeah, never heard anyone say "that stuff is necessary in there". The new detergents probably also finally cleaned out the varnish and crud. Oops.

I've seen some crazy stuff in my years doing transmission work, but never heard that one. Often, the old fluid does come out a bit thicker - but that's not a good thing!

What I hate is he’s recommending g a flush. Don’t do that. Just short change it a couple times if you want more new fluid. Too many things could be dislodged by a flush, killing the tranny. I’m not a trans expert by any means. I’m passing along what I’ve learned from experts.

Another reason I take that sort of video with a grain of salt.

the change interval will vary with use. There's no one number fits all. But for most - they will be totally fine at the 70K or so number.
Tow a lot, live in hills and let that thing hunt instead of using manual mode, get it hot (hotter climates, mountains and so on) and you should start cutting down from that number. A lot of longer runs, highway use, proper use and care - you won't hurt a thing going farther. There's millions of these out there as proof of that.
And there's a whole lot out there as proof of what happens when you to a lot of towing or mountain driving, short runs, and don't change it sooner.
Adjust that number according to use, driving and so on.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yeah, "Dave's Auto Center" - of course. Really unbiased. Another Youtube "in my opinion" not to mention driving business their way.
Sorry, but here we go again. For most people - going 70-80K is nothing at all. It's when they load it up, let it "hunt" gears, constant shifting, all in-town driving and so on that you start cutting miles off of that number.
I do have to chuckle at some of the "auto mechanics" out there posting on YT.
I get so much of that stuff on my feeds "I'm an auto mechanic and these are things you should never do" types of things. But it generates clicks and revenue.



That's new - never heard that one before!
Fact is, that old fluid was probably so thick it didn't leak past the worn seals, and the new fluid at proper viscosity leaked past the seals and finally, it had the correct coefficient of friction. Sure, you could put mud in there LOL.
Yeah, never heard anyone say "that stuff is necessary in there". The new detergents probably also finally cleaned out the varnish and crud. Oops.

I've seen some crazy stuff in my years doing transmission work, but never heard that one. Often, the old fluid does come out a bit thicker - but that's not a good thing!



Another reason I take that sort of video with a grain of salt.

the change interval will vary with use. There's no one number fits all. But for most - they will be totally fine at the 70K or so number.
Tow a lot, live in hills and let that thing hunt instead of using manual mode, get it hot (hotter climates, mountains and so on) and you should start cutting down from that number. A lot of longer runs, highway use, proper use and care - you won't hurt a thing going farther. There's millions of these out there as proof of that.
And there's a whole lot out there as proof of what happens when you to a lot of towing or mountain driving, short runs, and don't change it sooner.
Adjust that number according to use, driving and so on.

Frankly, vehicles should have a transmission % of fluid life remaining system, just like with engine oil. That system does a great job of recommending changes based on the type of driving that occurred during that interval.

 

[Mr._Bill]

So, guess what…in that video, the guy does a great job of explaining the importance of changing the tranny fluid because “clutch wear”, (that is continuous) “changes the friction modifiers”….so (in his opinion) “changes it every 50k miles, end of story”.

Well, guess what, you don’t “have to wait” 50k miles, you don’t even have to wait 10k or 5k miles. In my opinion (and I’m nobody), you can change it at 500-1000 miles, get the break-in crap out. As your plates and gears are finding their happy place of fitment, the moving parts sheer off the manufactured surfaces. The bits that knock off and float around knocking other bits off and so on and so on cause heat and damage.

The debris whipping around smashing, sheering, scraping other surfaces causes friction. The debris and damage just compounds. Think of it another way, imagine your a storm chaser and you just came upon a tornado like no one has ever seen and into the swirling force you go, and there you are, stuck for 3 solid hours you’re whipping around with train cars, trees, cows, rocks and sand.

But what you didn’t know is that you have a super power that enables you to clean all that debris out of the air whipping around so now your ride is nice and smooth and now you don’t feel anything, the ride is quiet and pleasant.

You all have the super power to change the oil, you only make the manufacturer mad and void your warranty if they find out.

We have all heard (and some of you will read this for the first time) that there is a belief that all that debris whipping around and collecting on the clutch plates is necessary in order for the plates to function properly, because look what happens when the oil is changed after a gazzilian miles. The tranny slips and you should have left it alone and that line of thinking is well entrenched for decades and so it becomes TRUTH and our habits are formed by this truth. I’ll bet there’s one seasoned member here that “leave it alone” is a rule.

Why doesn’t a brand new transmission slip the whole time until there’s enough debris to help the clutches perform as they should? Why doesn’t the customer who is driving their brand spanking new vehicle off the lot not need anyone behind pushing because the transmission slips too much because the oil is too new and clean? It’s BULLSHIT truth.

Change the oil, keep it clean, maintain it.

Anyone else recognize the irony of posting a video recommending a flush, by the one person who had a transmission fail after a flush that had warranty coverage denied?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Frankly, vehicles should have a transmission % of fluid life remaining system, just like with engine oil. That system does a great job of recommending changes based on the type of driving that occurred during that interval.

They could. They already monitor temperatures, torque and other things related to loading. Add in how many times it shifts within a certain time period, the load on the transmission at the time of shifting - yeah, they could do it.

Anyone else recognize the irony of posting a video recommending a flush, by the one person who had a transmission fail after a flush that had warranty coverage denied?

They are also in the business - they make big bucks doing that work - big money, compared to the labor and such involved.
But I could pick apart so many of these, it could be a full time job.
The fear mongering out there is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Oh, it's going to FAIL and all of the stuff out there (and in here) on transmissions - it's just crazy.

It's your vehicle - if you want to spend the time and money - go for it, but don't suggest others are in for heart-ache if they don't do what you do and change the fluid every 50K or less.
Base it on your own personal use, the history of the use of the vehicle, temperatures and so on.
These are crazy efficient transmissions and the fluid is far far superior to anything from the last century - and look how well those did on crappy fluid and sloppy shifting clutches and bands that put comfort over longevity of the clutch pack or bands. They literally slipped - a lot - changing gears. The clutch materials are superior to what we used to deal with. These things even monitor the pressures during shifts, how long it takes and more.
The fear mongering is crazy - and mostly from non-mechanics, non-professionals. Others told them if they don't do it they are nasty, ignorant people.
I guess I'm an ignorant person. No matter my experiences - hands-on - with transmissions. (also wonder - why have I not had one fail - in anything?)

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Anyone else recognize the irony of posting a video recommending a flush, by the one person who had a transmission fail after a flush that had warranty coverage denied?

Be nice Bill. Maybe I should clarify my point, here it is…

DONT flush it, just be happy to do a pan drop. DONT add on a gazzilion miles before entertaining the idea of doing your first pan drop. DONT think the fluid needs to get real old before entertaining the idea of doing the first pan drop and DONT forget about it.

I may have other dont’s that may come to me later but thanks for asking what I actually believe.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

and look how well those did on crappy fluid and sloppy shifting clutches and bands

So is this the standard?

 

[JTGuy]

Will an oil change fix the R clunk in the morning? If I change the oil and find debris in the pan will the dealer warranty my trans? With 28K miles I am getting near it's end of life,,, lol.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Will an oil change fix the R clunk in the morning? If I change the oil and find debris in the pan will the dealer warranty my trans? With 28K miles I am getting near it's end of life,,, lol.

My best advice would be to get an oil analysis. The lab will show how the wear metals are doing, maybe they will even highlight a problem and offer suggestions. You can post the analysis report here and can take suggestions.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So is this the standard?

Huh?

Standard?

For what?

I was comparing the cars and trucks of decades ago and how well they went over 50K while people are freaking out over going more than 50K with far better transmissions and vastly supior fluids.
I'm going by training (college and factory) as well as many many dozens of transmissions worked on for decades. But I see people who have done this once or twice putting the fear of God into people if they don't do a fluid change before 50K. Seriously? I guess that's the internet, though. Those with zero experience guiding those with zero experience while experience is meaningless.
And that''s what these always circle into.

Will it hurt anything to change the fluid at 10K miles? No. Won't hurt a thing if you don't go with fluid that's questionable or might be unsupported in case of warranty. You can change it as often as your like - it's yours and if you enjoy doing it, go for it. You are out very little - just your time and the cost of fluid, etc. So what? You didn't break it.
But to suggest that to not change it is going to cause trouble - that's the issue.
Preventative maintenance is fine, a good thing. But it's not going to blow or last a shorter time if you don't. Look at the millions of these on the road that were never touched prior to recommended intervals - and doing fine. But that's not really good for anything, I guess.

People wonder why I've left now and then - it comes to a point - why bother at all?
Opinions said 5 times matter more than facts presented one time.

Will an oil change fix the R clunk in the morning? If I change the oil and find debris in the pan will the dealer warranty my trans? With 28K miles I am getting near it's end of life,,, lol.

You aren't even close.

The problem with dropping the pan and doing your own while the whole time you suspect a problem is that the dealer might say - sorry, you touched it, it's on you. Should they? No!
But some will try.
A clunk may be differential related - pinion bearings, or just plain slop in any part of the differential, u-joint issues - or, into the transmission.

But trying to actuatlly make changes while trying to figure out a clunk which may not be transmission (and minor debris isn't freak-out time) . You could find things that are totally unrelated, but you've then given some dealers the excuse they are looking for. Technically, you can do fluid changes, or have another shop do it, and still be fine with warranty - but we've seen things.........

You can do the transmission fluid change - but it won't necessarily change or do anything with a clunk. That's a "it depends" thing.


Go on with the fear mongering and so on, I'm done with this one.

 

[g2020]

As the only manufacturer/licensor info we have other than "lifetime fluid" (poor advice), here's the guidance from ZF.

References to ZF-Approved ATF Equivalents for 850RE Automatic Transmission
See document #2, page 1, last two paragraphs

Also, I find it useful to read the opinions of at least five people on this thread who have been there and done that. I started reading this thread at page 14 / September 2024.

Tip: Wait until after the drivetrain warranty on your vehicle expires to consider DIY and/or using an ATF that is not ZF-approved. For a list of ZF-approved (and aftermarket) lubricants, see the table in section 1.10.1 of Links to Prices.

 

[Mr._Bill]

ZF provides excellent guidance for care of the transmission. The problem is they are not the warranty provider, Jeep is. Doing the fluid and filter changes to prolong the life of the transmission runs the risk of voiding the warranty coverage. Each individual needs to weigh the risks, based on their situation, and determine the path they want to go down. For the majority of owners, the Jeep 'lifetime' fluid policy is not an issue that needs attention.

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