Cherokee Fluid Capacities

Engine Oil

-2.5L (4cyl) - 4.0 Quarts (3.8L)
-4.0L (6cyl) - 6.0 Quarts (5.7L)

Cooling System

-2.5L (4cyl) - 9.0 Quarts (8.5L)
-4.0L (6cyl) - 10.5 Quarts (9.9L)

Automatic Transmission

-4.0L (6cyl) The AW-4 Automatic Transmission uses Transmission Fluid labeled Dexron-III/Mercon.

- Drain and Re-fill = 4 Quarts (3.8L)
- Filter and complete fluid exchange = 8 Quarts (7.8 L)

-2.5L (4cyl) Chrysler/Mopar Automatic Transmissions use ATF+3 or ATF+4 Type 7176

Manual Transmission

-AX-5 5 speed manual - 3.3 quarts 75W-90 GL3 or GL4 (NOT GL5 or GL5 compatible as incorrectly stated in some Owners Manuals)
-AX-15 5 speed manual - 3.32 quarts 75W-90 GL3 or GL4 (NOT GL5 or GL5 compatible as incorrectly stated in some Owners Manuals)
-NV3550 5 speed manual - 2.1 quarts Mopar fluid part # 04874464AA or Snychromax (meets Mopar MS-9224 specs)

The NLGI specs are important - typical NLGI GL-5 gear oil carries added sulphur used as an Extreme Pressure (EP) lubricant. Especially when heated, sulphur is antagonistic to yellow (copper-based) metals - and the synchronizer rings and any bushings in the AX-15 are copper based bronze. Using sulphur-bearing gear oils usually results in draining your synchronizer rings at your next fluid change. Most synthetic gear oils are rated GL-5 and are listed as "safe for use with yellow metals."

Unlike API engine oil specs, NLGI gear oil Service Specifications are not reverse-compatible.

If you want to use a synthetic (RedLine, AmsOil, etc.) either check the back of the bottle or check the manufacturer's website to make sure it's safe for use with yellow metal.

Chrysler has recommended that 10w-30 synthetic motor oil can be substituted for 75W-90 GL3 or GL4, but I think RedLine or AmsOil synthetic 75W-90 is a better choice.

Transfer Case

-NV231 Part-Time (Command-Trac) - 2.2 Pints (1.0L) Dexron III/Mercon

-NV242 Full-Time (Selec-Trac) - 2.85 Pints (1.3L) Dexron III/Mercon

Front Axle

-Dana 30 - 2.5 Pts (1.2L) SAE 75W-90

Rear Axle

-When equipped, Trac-Lok Limited Slip rear axles require 4 ounces of Friction Modifier Additive

-Dana 35 - 3.5 Pints (1.66L) SAE 75W-90
-Dana 44 - 4.0 Pints (1.89L) SAE 75W-90
-Chrysler 8.25 - 4.4 Pints (2.0L) SAE 75W-90

For towing and off-road use SAE 75-140 synthetic

 

Faq

 

I have used diesel 10w-40 oil with better results than "house brand" 75w-90. (I think that it was a GL-5)

 

I use 10-30 motor oil. I have about 30,000 on it since I changed it from whatever the PO had in there and I have had zero issues.

 

So i should use 10w-30 motor oil in my ax-15 transmission? is there any kinds you would recommend? and it shouldn't be synthetic right?

I used 80w-90 gear oil when i changed both of my differential fluids. Is that going to be a problem?
I live in Oregon. so i use 4x4 every now and then, and temp can go anywhere from 20 to 90 degrees here.

 

I just serviced my "new to me" AX-15 2 weeks ago I drank the kool-aid and used a VERY stout HD 10-30 with a 1/2qt of 15-40...............
I'm here to tell ya this shouild not be used in a gear box it SEVERLY lacks the proper add-pak for a gear box, I can tell a HUGE diiferance in my gears that is no good.

Do your self a favor and get the correct fluid a GL-4 or 3 rated GEAR oil.I just ordered 4qts of AMSOIL MTG GL-4 today to "re-do" minehttp://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtg.aspx

REDLINE makes a GL-4, or you can get advance house brand dinno. for like $50 per 5gal bucket.
A gear box needs a fluid with an EP additive and with friction modifiers and a higher visc and pour point than MOTOR oil, compare the 100c and 40c cst of gear oil vs that of a good quality motor oil those number alone tell you motor oil has no place in a gear box..

 

FWIW Redline's web site recommends MT-90 and while I haven't used it in a Jeep (I have never had/driven one with a MT) I have had excellent luck with it in other vehicles (VW, Porsche, etc.) Much improved cold shifting etc. I agree with the comments that you don't want to use a GL-5. Just because I've used the Redline and it works, it's pretty much my go-to for manual transmissions; I've used the MTL, MT-90, and even Heavy Shockproof with good results. (the last was in a B-W T10 at the recommendation of a drag racer friend; shifting wasn't quite as slick as with MT-90 but according to him it would handle abuse better.)

 

I did some looking:

"Do not put syncromesh or Syncromax fluids in the AX tranny. Those fluids are for the later NV3550 & NSG 6 speeds. Redline MT-90 or Amsoil MTG, SVG can be used also. The SVG is a GL-5, but being synthetic it will not harm the syncros. Your choice, all 3 are good."

97-99 AX-15
Requires 75w90 GL3 (GL4 is compatible, GL5 is NOT)
Fluids you can use: Redline MT-90, Amsoil MTG

The correct product specified for the AX-15 has changed over the years from
Chrysler so depending on the year of the transmission there are several
options for fluids. According to DaimlerChrysler, the AX-15 should use the Mopar product meeting spec MS9684, part #04897622AA, which is rated as a 75W90 GL-3 lubricant for 1997 and newer AX-15 transmissions. An SAE 75W90 is the same viscosity (fluid thickness) as an SAE 10W40 - see the attached chart. Royal Purple recommends our RP 10W40 API Motor Oil or the XPR 10W40 Racing Oil.
For 1996 and older transmissions Chrysler used to recommend the use of an SAE 75W90 GL-5 gear lube. This would be our RP MaxGear 75W90. You could also use the 10W40 Motor Oil in the older transmissions as well.

I'll probably buy some Redline put that in and call it good then.

 

okay thanks for the help. i should be able to find something now.

 

So all-in-all, what should I get for my AX15?


Thanks

 

once again.......

http://www.amsoil.com/catalog.aspx?GroupID=213

the redline mentioned over and over in these posts will work as well.

GL-3 rated 75w-90

 

Thank you very much.

 

I went with the 75w-90 Royal Purple brand. The stuffs expensive, but I hear good things.

 

It's over priced......for what it is.
And it's the wrong fluid for the AX-15, this is a GL-5/4.

 

Ax-15 trans oil

I personally use MT-90 in my 1999 cherokee Ax-15 trans. No issues and nice shifting all gears after 30 second warm up. Syncros will appreciate it also since they are brass. (hint)

Don't bulk about the price. If you own a ferrari you pay ferrari prices.:cheers2:

 

I personally use MT-90 in my 1999 cherokee Ax-15 trans. No issues and nice shifting all gears after 30 second warm up. Syncros will appreciate it also since they are brass. (hint)

Don't bulk about the price. If you own a ferrari you pay ferrari prices.:cheers2:

It's not an issue of paying for good fluid, I have an issue with the price of RP products when there UOA's and VOA's don't look any better than fluids half the price.

 

My '99 Sport with 138k miles on it now has synthetic 10w-30. I wouldn't be surprised if what was drained was original! It shifts much smoother, and is quieter now. Everything else has what's listed above.

 

What went wrong?
My Cherokee is a 1994 with 250k miles on it.
All I been using is Ams-oil 75-90 GL5 SD fluids.
The jeep runs very quiet and smooth.
Are you sure the manufacture changed the book?
I called Jeep and they said go by the original owners Manuel for my jeep.

No jeep tech I know agrees it better to change to GL 3 or 4 for my cherokee.
All I can say if you guys are correct........... my jeep's drive train should of failed yrs ago imo.
I will pass on this, and using motor oil in a transmition.
Peace.

 

94beachxj:

Nothing went wrong. All GL-5 oils are designed to resist high heat but all
do not do it the same way. Those with high sulfur content end up being
dangerous for yellow metal. Some people have bad experiences with those,
and Tim's post #2 in this thread is trying to help Jeepers avoid that problem.

The Amsoil GL-5 you are fortunate to have chosen is Synthetic, safe for
yellow metals, and GL-4 compatible.
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...on-fluid/manual/manual-transmission-and-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90/?GroupID=213

But, if you still think any GL-5 is just fine, why not put a high sulfur one in
your favorite Jeep's AX-15 and check back here in a year or so ?

 

I agree with your answer! On syn lubes having less sulfur.

I have had some time off this week I made a few phone calls and you are correct about using syn lubes. I guess we should look in a tad further on the Chrysler so called "recall" on this situation. I have not found any legit one so far, but thanks for your post.
btw,,,,,,,I called Chrysler Jeep on the so called "service notice" on my jeep and they had 0 on it as far as changes.:wave:

Bottom line is go with what the manufacture states in the owners manuel.

 

Page 191 of my 1998 Owners Manual says to use a GL-3 oil in the manual transmission.
Section 1 of API document 1560 8th edition dated April 2013 lists several designations, including GL-3, that are no longer in use. The doc doesn't give clear direction that a GL-5 is a direct substitute. You have to interpret the application basedd on gear type. The wording seems to be really geared to axles - which do not contain synchronizers.
I have not been able to find a GL-3 spec oil to buy. Therefore, thus far, I'm leaving my existing GL-3 oil in the trans.
I'm tempted by the Penzoil Synchromesh description that says it is compatible for use with yellow metals (brass, bronze, etc) which would cover synchronizers....but I haven't pulled the trigger yet because I can't find a cross reference from the Chrysler spec they reference back to the AX-15 boxes (which were made by AisinWarner, not New Process Gear like most of the other Chrysler manual transmissions).
Just my 2 cents...

 

As for errors made by Chrysler in the Jeep owner's manual, yes, they exist. (see pictures)

In my 97 Cherokee Owner's Manual, it says on page 164 to fill a Jeep manual transmission
with SAE 75W-90 GL-5 lubricant. I wrote the correction by hand.

However, you turn to page 191 and the recommended lubricant is SAE 75W-90 (API GL-3).

In the third picture, the Factory Service Manual for 1997 says fill either the AX-5 or the AX-15
with 75W-90 API Grade GL-3.

 

Well again I am not seeing it .

 

I looked here as well for those corrections made on your book.
All my book states is GL 5."all pages"

I guess you better use gl 3. But I would question why your book has 2 different grades.

My Manual is consistant on the GL 5 grade. I said earlier, even the Jeep rep at the Chrysler said GL 5 is for my Jeep Cherokee.
Its weird man, and confusing that the 1997 manual guys wrote in a change !
peace.