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Grand Cherokee CRD - Transmission Fluid Change

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Diesel25

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Has anyone seen any "how-to" tutorials on changing the transmission fluid in an '08 CRD? I'm planning to do this on my recently purchased CRD (just in case the previous owner wasn't as nice to it as I plan to be). I just want to make sure I'm not missing something since I've never done a fluid change on a transmission with the auto/shift feature.

Thanks!

Dsl
 
#2 ·
I have done plenty of repairs and servicing myself, but never serviced an auto box. Watched a few vids on youtube and read up on it a little. I have a 2003 V8 Grand and I'm looking at doing the same thing.

I'll see what I can find out from some aussies with oil burners.

Cheers
Tim
 
#3 ·
I think the biggest problem is checking the fluid level.
From the service manual:

TRANSMISSION FILL
To avoid overfilling transmission after a fluid change or overhaul, perform the following procedure:

1. Verify that the vehicle is parked on a level surface.
2. Remove the dipstick tube cap.
3. Add following initial quantity of Mopar® ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid, to the transmission:a. If only fluid and filter were changed, add 5.0 L (10.6pts.) of transmission fluid to transmission.
b. If the transmission was completely overhauled or the torque converter was replaced or drained, add 7.7 L (16.3 pts.) of transmission fluid to transmission.

4. Check the transmission fluid (Refer to 21 - Transmission and Transfer Case/Automatic - NAG1/FLUID and FILTER - Standard Procedure) and adjust as required.

21 - Transmission and Transfer Case / Automatic - NAG1 / FLUID and FILTER/Standard Procedure
CHECK OIL LEVEL
Special Tools:

9336A - Dipstick

1. Verify that the vehicle is parked on a level surface.
2. Remove the dipstick tube cap.

WARNING: Risk of accident from vehicle starting off by itself when engine running. Risk of injury from contusions and burns if you insert your hands into the engine when it is started or when it is running. Secure vehicle to prevent it from moving off by itself. Wear properly fastened and close-fitting work clothes. Do not touch hot or rotating parts.

3. Actuate the service brake. Start engine and let it run at idle speed in selector lever position "P".
4. Shift through the transmission modes several times with the vehicle stationary and the engine idling
5. Warm up the transmission, wait at least two minutes and check the oil level with the engine running. Push Oil Dipstick 9336A into the transmission fill tube until the dipstick tip contacts the oil pan and pull out again, read off oil level, repeat if necessary.

NOTE: The dipstick protrudes from the fill tube when installed.

6. Check the transmission oil temperature using the appropriate scan tool.

NOTE: The true transmission oil temperature can only be read by a scan tool in Reverse or any forward gear position.
7. With the transmission in "P", determine the height of the oil level on the dipstick and using the height, the transmission temperature, and the Transmission Fluid Graph, determine if the transmission oil level is correct.
8. Add or remove oil as necessary and recheck the oil level.
9. Once the oil level is correct, install the dipstick tube cap.
 

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#4 · (Edited)
I found this thread pretty helpful for this too ...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f67/poor-mans-nag1-transmission-service-check-1135591/

especially getting the temperature reading on a budget :)

In my quest for NAG1 information I also found this link on the forums here.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1463460-mercedes-benz-722-6-transmission-faq.html

and within it this which is extremely helpful with pics:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1334827-photo-diy-722-6x-transmission-fluid.html
 
#8 ·
After reading this thread I ordered the dipstick and an ELM327, at first it wasn't showing the trans temp on my phone (Android) until I found out you need to change a setting to show Jeep trans temps. Open Torque, hit the "Settings" button on your phone, then go "Settings" -> "Manage extra PIDs/Sensors" -> your settings button again -> "Add predefined set" -> "Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Mercedes". This will add three more options to the list, you want the post-2012 one even though our Jeeps are pre-2012 (the pre-2012 calculation read way too low).
 
#11 ·
underscore said:
After reading this thread I ordered the dipstick
Click to expand...
I don't know how much you paid, I seen some silly prices, but I use a net curtain wire and others report using a length of plastic strip. This needs to bottom in the sump (there is no top stop like a traditional dip stick); pull it out and measure the oil level above the bottom with a ruler.
 
#13 ·
In CRD 3.0 (WH, export models) you have a W5J400 transmission (NOT! W5A580) and what I know Chrysler has no information about what is the correct fluid for this box. You can find a Chrysler TSB for their transmissions but it is for W5A580 and the W5J400 is excluded.

So the logical place to look for this information should be the manufacturer (=Mercedes) right ? :D

This means do not put Mopar ATF+4 into this box use the fluids which are MB 236.10 or MB 236.14. The list of Mercedes accepted transmission transmission fluids can be found here.

The most safe bet should be Genuine MB stuff but Im using Fuchs TITAN ATF 4134 which has been working very well and it costs only something about 6e/L. Can be ordered from the Germany (use google). Maintenance interval 40k miles.

I also have found some good information for the W5J400 from this document (for example pls see pages 7 and 13).

You also can educate yourself by reading this 722.6 FAQ.
 
#14 ·
^ page 13 of that document

The 300C and the Grand Cherokee uses Chrysler type 4 fluid.
Click to expand...
Would Chrysler type 4 not be Mopar ATF +4? From my understanding 722.6 is more like a class of transmission, and there are quite a few variants depending on the application since it was used in so many different things, so I wouldn't expect them to all have the same fluid requirements.
 
#15 ·
underscore said:
^ page 13 of that document
Would Chrysler type 4 not be Mopar ATF +4? From my understanding 722.6 is more like a class of transmission, and there are quite a few variants depending on the application since it was used in so many different things, so I wouldn't expect them to all have the same fluid requirements.
Click to expand...
I think the key thing here is what fluid has been put originally into the box -> In Mercedes Germany they will put MB spec fluids. This W5J400 transmission is manufactured in Germany by the Mercedes (W5A580 is made in USA by the Chrysler).

And yes as you can see from the 2nd link in my preivous post there is a wide range of transmiossion applications which are 722.6. In page 7 you can see our W5J400.

Also you can ask yourself why Chrysler has been excluding this box from their recommendations of Mopar ATF+4. I see the reason is because it is a wrong fluid.

I really do not know how much it makes difference to use Mopar instead of the fluids accepted by the Mercedes itself but as the transmission is a very critical part of your car I would not use anything else than what the manufacturer is telling you UNTIL Chrysler will come out and say what is safe and guaranteed.
 
#16 ·
In a Merc they may put in Merc fluid, in a Chrysler I'm not so sure. Especially when they say it takes "Chrysler type 4" fluid. I'm not sure where Chrysler is excluding it from ATF+4 but I'd be interested to see that.

edit: I did find this service bulletin http://www.wkjeeps.com/TSB/tsb_wk_2101407.pdf, which states:

NOTE: This Service Bulletin DOES NOT apply to Sprinter transmissions, Crossfire transmissions, MK/PM vehicles equipped with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and WG vehicles equipped with a diesel engine (sales code ENF) and a W5J400 or NAG1 transmission (sales code DGJ).
Click to expand...
Above that, it lists a WG as "2001 - 2004 (WG) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)". I'm not sure if someone can find out if there's a newer bulletin that supercedes this one, but this seems to state that ATF+4 is recommended for all WK/WH's.
 
#17 ·
jgc2006 said:
I think the key thing here is what fluid has been put originally into the box -> In Mercedes Germany they will put MB spec fluids. This W5J400 transmission is manufactured in Germany by the Mercedes (W5A580 is made in USA by the Chrysler).
Click to expand...
So originally it has MB fluids.

The SB you referenced is the one I am talking about. As you can clearly see "This Service Bulletin DOES NOT apply to ... W5J400 transmission (code DGJ)" which is the transmission in question.

jgc2006 said:
Also you can ask yourself why Chrysler has been excluding this box from their recommendations of Mopar ATF+4. I see the reason is because it is a wrong fluid.
Click to expand...
 
#18 ·
Just to add to this thread, but hopefully not adding confusion....my WH 3.0 CRD is a 2005 model, which by all accounts was pretty much a prototype of the (then) new model. I asked Chrysler Customer Assistance Center for a build sheet and that tells me that that it was built with, "DGJ 5-Speed Auto W5A580 Transmission."

As such, I think this TSB applies and I was also told by a Jeep service centre in the UK that Mopar ATF+4 was the correct fluid.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/TSB/tsb_wh_2101906.pdf

I have now completed a change of all fluids in my 2005 WH 3.0 CRD and used the fill curve in the above TSB along with Mopar ATF 4 and have had no issues. That's not to say I wouldn't have been fine with using a MB specified transmission fluid (Fuchs produce these) - I bet that would have worked just fine, too...but as both would have cost me about the same I went with what Jeep UK recommended.
 
#19 ·
If you are sure you have W5A580 in you 3.0 CRD then you should follow that TSB and your customer assistance becase the W5A580 is built in USA and initially filled by ATF+4.

jgc2006 said:
In CRD 3.0 (WH, export models) you have a W5J400 transmission (NOT! W5A580)
Click to expand...
So here you should follow MB specifications.

My CRD is manufactured in Steyr, Austria. Check your VIN code to see where is yours. Is it in Austria or USA.

https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Jeep
 
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