2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission Fluid

[murpht3]

I just noticed on this 2006 Grand Cherokee that there is no transmission fluid dip stick (the tube is covered with a cap that says "DEALER USE ONLY"). Anybody know the reason for this? Is there any way I can check the level myself (buy a dipstick?)? If I can't, this means I am stuck bringing it to the dealer for a trans fluid & filter job as well.

[murpht3]

Nobody has attempted a trans fluid change on this new body style?

[xj31]

You have a 3.7,Right? That has a Mercedes trans called a Nag and they dont want anyone messing with it.I think Mercedes feels most people are to stupid to check trans fluid.The srt 8 6.1 uses the same trans.If you check the maintenance schedule in your owners manual,you will notice that the trans fluid and filter change is not required ever.It is only recommended for the 545rfe trans.That is used with the 4.7 and 5.7.There is a special tool for checking the fluid ,its a dipstick that measures fluid level in millimeters and you are supposed to use a scan tool to check the trans temperature.I was told that Mercedes did not even want Chrysler to put a dipstick tube in the trans.The 05s have dipsticks but I don't know if that works in an 06 because the fill tube is different.

[Ramblin Fever]

Sounds like the same stupid set-up as on the GM 4L30-E transmissions that GM/Isuzu used in the Rodeo's/Troopers.

Do NOT believe your owners manual if it states that your fluid never needs changed, ALL fluids eventually do wear out!

Many many Isuzu owners believed this as well, as our tranny's are supposed sealed units as well, never supposedly needing serviced - however many Isuzu owners had their tranny's fail between 80-100k because of believing what the manual states.

I was fortunate enough to have owned a '91 Isuzu Rodeo that had the exact same tranny as my '97 Rodeo, only my '91 Rodeo had a dipstick - so I knew for a fact that I needed to figure out how to change the fluid regularly on the '97 as well.

For a closed unit tranny, you generally have to refill from underneith, and yes, at a proper temperature. There is NOTHING wrong with changing transmission fluid every year or every 2yrs, I for one, have NEVER gone over 30k miles without changing the fluid, with excellent life expectancy results.

Every day stop/go driving is HARSH on an auto, and more frequent fluid swaps, the longer your life-span is of that unit.