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What brand CVTF+4 Transmission Fluid CAN you use in 09' Patriot?

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95K views 25 replies 18 participants last post by  Mr. Mohr  
Z
#1 · (Edited)
I have already ranted in another thread about the idiot dealer her in Springfield but I am wondering what brand of CVTF+4 Transmission Fluid you can use in a 2009 Patriot Sport with a 2.0 L engine and is 2WD????

My Patriot has 80,000 miles and its the start of fishing every weekend season for me. That means I will be towing my boat, motor and trailer 150 miles r/t every weekend and I want to ensure I take good care of my Jeep.

I have not added an oil cooler. The boat weighs around 750, the motor another 200 and then the trailer maybe 250+. That's 1200 pounds at least and my driving is primarily highway and on the flatlands of Illinois - the state that sends its governors to prison.

I want to keep the Jeep in good condition and wonder if I should even change the tranny fluids now or wait. The temp gauge resides just below the mid-line and I haven't changed the antifreeze yet either (not due for 20000-40000).

All experienced and educated opinions are deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

PS. I ask because MOPAR at Jeep is $16.58 per quart while at Advance Auto CASTROL is only $6.99!!!!


PS. I ask because MOPAR at Jeep is $16.58 while CASTROL at ADVANCE Auto is $6.99 per quart!
 
#4 ·
The way I see it, from reading my manual, reading old threads here and so on, is if you have a warranty that you want to keep you have to go to the dealer.

If that is not an issue you can shop around. Nissan uses the exact transmission for instance, maybe a Nissan dealer is less expensive?

It is just a fluid and filter swap after all.

Automatic Transmission (CVT) – If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission performance.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid which has been formulated with special
metal to metal friction coefficient additives to provide the
proper steel belt traction on the drive and driven pulleys.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufacturer’s
recommended fluid will cause belt slip and
result in a complete transmission failure! Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
Click to expand...
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission (CVT) – If
Equipped
MOPAR CVTF+4
Click to expand...
and here is an old thread on this very matter:
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1242
 
#5 ·
Eneos makes CVT fluid for the Nissan CVT's, about $10 a quart online. Does not say Dodge CVTF+4 in their list but we do know the transmissions are the same. Nissan NS-2 is the equivalent to CVTF+4

http://www.eneos.us/product/7
 
#9 · (Edited)
You are absolutely correct. I have done a lot of research on this myself. You have two choices that I am certain will work on our Jatco transmissions..

1.) Nippon's Eneos CVT fluid (the Nissan NS-2 compatible one)

2.) Red Line Non-Slip CVT fluid (Part# W0133-1840590)
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=128&pcid=9
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2010/jeep/patriot/brake/cvt_fluid.html

ATP also makes one, but the Nippon and Red Line are the only high-quality brands I can confirm will work. I even called and spoke with a Redline technician regarding their Non-Slip CVT fluid. He was already aware that our Patriot shares a Jatco tranny along with some of the Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles. Both of the above brands are CVTF+4 compatible.

From all my research, nearly every single type of transmission fluid I looked at made by Redline had FAR BETTER reviews than its competitor. If anyone is are going to spend big bucks on a CVT flush, they might as well upgrade it to extend the life of their tranny and get better CVT performance.

I hope to post a review on the Redline product next month after my first CVT flush. I am way too hard on my Riot, spend too much time off-road and in the extreme heat, not to mention all those short trips (<10 miles). Any one of these aforementioned criteria by itself places the Pat on Schedule B maintenance plan.

Chrysler effectively created a monopoly the way they labeled their fluid as a proprietary CTVF+4 type and then made it the only recommended fluid. Since they can't legally FORCE you to buy the Mopar branded fluid, they simply named it something else like CVTF+4 and then just assume scare you to death if you even hint at using something else that is not named XYZ. The dealer's stance, "Well Bob, Mopar CVTF+4 is the only recommended fluid and anything else 'could' or 'may' void your warranty." Gasp!?! This should confirm they are doing nothing more than skirting antitrust rules. They have fear-mongered nearly everyone into buying, using only Mopar fluid. Now that's what Chrysler calls a Free Market!

That being said, it should be obvious that putting a non-compatible fluid in your transmission could kill it. Once you make a decision, double-check compatibility by doing your own research and don't let someone else Fear-Monger or Jedi mind-trick you. Just because somebody works for Chrysler does not mean they OWN your Jeep. I still maintain the freedom to choose..


[Derivatives = WMDs | Stop economic terrorism.. Crash JP Morgan, Buy SILVER!]
 
#22 ·
This is a facts and funny AF! It says it on the nozzle. Only use Chrysler CTVF+4 Transmission Fluid or you will damage transmission. I’m getting my changed after 4 warnings traveling from Troy NY twice back and forth from NYC. I have an 07 Compass 2.4L FWD. Mopar product is what came up on a search as well.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
Valvoline makes a full synthetic CVT transmission fluid that meets CVTF4 specifications and it sells for about $9 a quart. The dealer crap may cost more but I do not believe it is fully synthetic or any better. The big mystery is the dipstick. No mystery, it can be done with any dip stick that touches the bottom. Then measure it off in millimeters from bottom off stick. You could scribe the back of the oil dipstick and always have it with you. @ 70F fluid temp the correct level is 25 to 36mm with 31mm being your ideal. @ 80F 26 to 37mm, @ 90F 27 to 38mm, @ 100 F 27 to 39mm, @ 110F 27 to 40mm, @120 28 to 40mm, @ 130F 29 to 41mm, @140F 30 to 42mm, @ 150F 30 to 42mm, @ 160F 31 to 43mm, @ 170F 32 to 44mm, @ 180F 33 to 45mm, @ 190F 34 to 46mm, @ 200F 35 to 47mm. You are likely going to be under 120F if you check it cold and 32 mm works for many of the temps unless you are dealing with a very hot transmission. 32mm should work down to at least 50F according to curve of chart (although the chart stops at 70F the curve would indicate this) and up to 170F. Here is a link that includes part numbers for a fluid and filter change. http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14491
 
S
#12 ·
So I went ahead and changed my CVT fluid and filter in my 2008 Compass with 87K on it. It was fairly easy and I spilled very little as I loosened all the bolts a little, then loosened the rear ones more to let the fluid drain into a container, marked in 1 quart increments. I drained out 5.5 quarts.

Before I started draining, I used the special dipstick I have to measure the fluid. At 35 degrees outside and with the car not being started all night, the fluid measurement was 50MM. After I put 5.5 quarts of new fluid in, the measurement is 55MM. I've seen other people post in the Patriot and Compass forums indicating there is 7L or 7.5 quarts for a fluid and filter change. The Jatco transmission manual I have states 7L or 7.5 quarts. Wonder why the difference? I'm pretty sure my level was correct prior to the work because I had it at the dealership a few months ago for replacement of two cooler lines and they said the fluid level was OK.

Anyway, there is a noticeable difference with the new fluid and filter. The CVT makes much less noise, especially going up hills at 3000 RPMS. I can climb steep hills much easier too!

I would definitely recommend changing your fluid and filter every 60K even if you are not towing, etc.

BTW, I used 2 quarts of Nissan NS-2 fluid that I had purchased earlier and 3.5 quarts of Valvoline CVT fluid.
 
S
#15 ·
Yeah, I know. I have the JATCO CVT manual and it states 7.5 quarts with filter and fluid change. BTW, my numbers are with the vehicle not running and about 35 degrees out. The manual states to check the fluid with it running.

I saw someone posting on the Jeep Compass forum indicating they drained out and replaced 5.5 quarts also.

I'm going to check it while running after warm up to see what I get for numbers.
 
S
#19 ·
UPDATE: Yesterday afternoon after a 13 mile drive (mostly interstate)with outside temps around 50 degrees, I checked the fluid level and it was at 30mm. I added the other half of quart #6 and that brought it up to 42mm.

Looks like I'm good now and before my fluid and filter change, I was probably at a half a quart or so low.
 
#20 ·
Trans Fluid Temp

I'm considering buying the trans dipstick so I can check the fluid level. Does anyone have an opinion about using a laser infrared temperature gauge to read the fluid's temp? Would probably need to leave the dipstick in a while to let it get up to temp. Do you think it could work? Thanks.
 
S
#21 ·
ralphfr said:
I'm considering buying the trans dipstick so I can check the fluid level. Does anyone have an opinion about using a laser infrared temperature gauge to read the fluid's temp? Would probably need to leave the dipstick in a while to let it get up to temp. Do you think it could work? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I actually bought one from Amazon for around $20 bucks with the intent of using it for that purpose (well ok, for BBQ'ing also) but I didn't use it. I drove my Jeep home on about 13 miles of interstate in 50 degree weather and figured that would bring the temp up to normal operating condition. I check it and it was at 30MM so I added a half quart and that brought it up to 42MM. Total fluid added was 6 quarts after a drain and filter change.

BTW, I used 4 quarts of Valvoline CVT fluid and 2 quarts of Nissan NS-2 fluid that I had bought earlier before I found out Valvoline made an equivalent fluid at half the price. CVT is noticeably smoother.
 
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