I reached out to ZF. AMSOILâs data sheet means nothing to them. Concerning this transmission and ZF, AMSOIL is not approved.
You need ZF stating that IN WRITING. You may also want them to provide a list of "Approved" fluids. You may need to have your lawyer request this information via legal channels.
I looked at the data sheet and warranty AMSOIL provides for us here in the USA and unless you have documentation where AMSOIL says they are a licensed or certified spec product, I think you are pissing up a rope trying to hang your hat on AMSOIL.
Magnuson-Moss is useless here, as it's not the brand that's the issue, it's that the fluid doesn't meet the requirements. You still have to meet the manufacturers requirements, or as mentioned before you could pour peanut oil in there and still be covered.
According to Amsoil, the ATL and OTL meet FCA's requirements. FCA and ZF are not the same company., nor do they have the same recommendations. For example, ZF recommends changing the fluid much sooner than FCA does. FCA should be dealing with this issue, not ZF.
Amsoil's ATL documentation says
Amsoil's OTL documentation says
Emphasis is mine. It does not say that their fluid meets the specifications, simply "use" or "recommended". In fact, it's impossible for it to meet the specifications for all of those different fluids, as those fluids are not all the same fluid.
FCA/Jeep/Canada did deal with the issue. They deferred to ZF, who said Amsoil was not an acceptable fluid. Based on that, they denied warranty coverage for the transmission repair.
That's very shady of FCA to do. When there's a warranty issue with Cummins or VM Motori, FCA doesn't defer to the engine builder. Cummins won't even work on a Ram truck since it's not an authorized dealer. Under the MagnusonâMoss Warranty Act, which Canada doesn't have, the OEM must prove that the aftermarket oil/fluid/filter was the cause of component failure.
The customer is getting screwed, but he brought it on by putting a non-Jeep fluid in a transmission that is labeled as a 'lifetime' fill. If he had used the factory recommended fluid, this discussion would never have happened. The first Service Advisor he talked to said to just drive it until it breaks. He ignored that advice, and see where it is now.
I agree the owner made some mistakes. If there are transmission issues, changing the fluid isn't going to fix those issues. Transmission fluid just keeps a proper functioning transmission in good working order through lubrication, pressure, and friction. With that said, I'm not here to beat up on the owner. I just feel like FCA and/or ZF could do more to help the owner out.
I feel bad for the OP. But, He is in another country, and the references to what happens here are of no use. FCA could do more, but they are going to do the legally required minimum.
I didn't realize that he went to a non-dealer. Those mistakes are starting to add up. Only an authorized dealer can do work on a warrantied vehicle.
Itâs all been a steep learning curve to not be physically (wrenching) involved and plan the best âfixâ as I saw it and as the owners manual said. Iâve taken the hard boot in the ass so others donât make the same mistakes. What was my first mistake?? Trusting the dealership. The service manager couldnât do the flush and wanted $3400 to get the glycol out. I assumed he spoke for all dealerships. FCA said I needed to ask other dealerships. I didnât think that was an option. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
We all learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately, you shouldn't have been put in this position to begin with. Buying a new transmission is smart. I would also try to find a dealer that you can trust. I found two really good dealers, but I have to drive either 2 hours to the north or 2 hours to the west to get there. Both dealers are awesome, and I've gotten to know some of the techs.
