Transmission Fluids

Looking to change out my transmission fluid on an automatic transaxle for an '01 Stratus R/T. So, I have an automatic AND a manual transmission. Any recommendations on the fluids? I saw the manual calls for Diamond SP I, II or III, but all I can find is Chrysler ATF +3. Is this an adequate replacement? Also, any recommendations on the 75W-90 gear lube for the manual one?

You have 2 cars?
One with a Auto and one with a Manual?
Is the manual also a '01 Stratus R/T?
Also, I assume you have a 2-door Mitsubishi (Diamond Star) made Stratus?
The 4-door and convertible models are made by Chrysler.

You have 2 cars? One with a Auto and one with a Manual? Is the manual also a '01 Stratus R/T? - Nope. From what I understand, the Stratus R/T has a manual AND an automatic transaxle. Although, all I see is the automatic. I am a newbie mechanic trying to learn on my own and I am as green as can be so bare with me. I did verify that the Valvoline Maxlife works as a replacement, though, so I've worked past that problem. My new problem is that I drained the ATF out of the cooler hose, but my manual doesn't say anything about where the freakin drain plug is. Can you give me any advice?

Also, I assume you have a 2-door Mitsubishi (Diamond Star) made Stratus?
The 4-door and convertible models are made by Chrysler.
Yeah, it's the coupe with the Mitsubishi engine.

You don't have two transmissions, you have "auto-stik".
It is a regular automatic transmission with a electronic manual shift mode. Their is no drain plug on an automatic transmission. When you change the fluid and filter, you usually remove the transmission oil pan. You will need a filter and gasket set to put it back together. I would not trust Valvoline Maxlife fluid. The Stratus' built by Dodge use MOPAR ATF+4 fluid only. Any thing else will ruin them (quickly). I don't know for sure if your Mitsubishi built Stratus uses a Mitsu or Dodge transmission. If it is a Dodge transmission, putting Maxlife into it is probably going to bring an end to the transmission, also they do not like being flushed. If the trans is Mitsu, I would go to the Mitsu dealership and get the proper Diamond SP fluid. It could be that the Diamond SP fluid is MOPAR +4 with a Mitsubishi label.
Your Stratus is the "red headed stepchild" it is not pure Dodge or pure Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is now selling Dodge Dakota's under the Mitsubishi label of "Raider", it is a Dak with Mitsu designed body and interior.

I'm with you on the auto transmission. There doesn't seem to be any additional tranny. As far as the transmission fluid pan goes, this one doesn't have the pan on the bottom like most Stratuses. I think it's the vertical pan on the forward end of the transmission. I have the filter kit, but I just read on another forum that you can’t replace it. The other forum said that there was basically a screen inside the tranny, but I found a filter kit at Advance and it says that it is for the Stratus R/T. The other forum also said that there IS a drain plug and that it’s the 5/8” plug beneath the tranny. Here’s the address:

http://www.2gstratus.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8988

I’m confused now. It is the Mitsubishi transmission, but I was told at NAPA that the Dexron III/Mercon (Valvoline Maxlife) was an acceptable replacement for the Diamond SP. They even called Valvoline to be sure. I’m with you on the “red-headed stepchild” claim, though. I can’t seem to find much info on this car, because the only R/T info I can find is on the ’02 and later, but most websites don’t even list anything on an ’01 R/T. It’s as if it doesn’t even exist.

I have a 2000 stratus and changed the trany fluid with ATF+4 Havoline oil and so far have not experienced any problems with the trany after 40,000MI, so you do what you think is best. The reason I used Havoline is because it was alot cheaper than Mopar brand.