Scotty,
I own a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pentastar V6 with 72k miles. I purchased it a year ago and it’s pretty good so far, despite your famous opinion about Chryslers being a “rolling pile of junk” {black}:crazy: . To the point, I recently installed an OEM towing package and will be ocasionally towing a 7500 cargo trailer. Transmission temp is around 30 F higher when towing (up to ~205 F).
would you recommend changing the transmission fluid at this point? Jeep says the transmission is “filled for life” and doesn’t require service under normal conditions.
Other brands using the same transmission (8 speed ZF automatic recommend changing ATF between 50-60k miles (like BMW). Also, the transmission filter is not a maintenance item and is a part of a plastic oil pan.
Finally how to find a good mechanic to do this in eastern Pennsylvania (Lehigh Valley), it seems to be complicated process where you have to check fluid level several times at specific temperature and make sure that trans cooler opened, etc. I’m worried someone will not follow ZF guidelines and mess it up. For the fear of that I haven’t changed it so far. I don’t have a trusted mechanic here.
Definitely get it changed, and don’t buy into the ‘filled for life’ ATF regardless of the manufacturer. I would stay on top of the ATF fluid change intervals (drain and fill) every 40,000-50,000 miles as ATF fluid changes are (relatively) cheap but a new transmission is not. A good very competent mechanic can definitely do the job - finding one is a different story.
I would change the ATF fluid.
Check out the FAQ for finding a mechanic.
How do I find a good mechanic?
I would change it now, you are already overdue a bit and any more could lead to premature transmission wear.
you really don't want people finding the FAQ topic do you
Devil has spoken
Take the long way around and find it here:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/ask-scotty-community/
and this should be where you end up:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/ask-scotty-community/
And then it shall guide you with its beautiful interface to wherever on the car web you want.
There we go.
that's right. Give them the grand tour.