5 Speed Manual Transaxle/Transmission Fluid Change

homac · Jul 8, 2008

Below is a quick guide on how to change the transaxle fluid on the Jeep Patriot 5 Speed Manual Transmission:

NOTE: All T355 Manual Transaxles require the use of ATF+4 MS-9602(Automatic Transmission Fluid), Mopar Part #05013457AA.

The transaxle fill plug (1) is located on the left side of the transaxle differential area. The fluid level should be within 3/16 inch from the bottom of the transaxle fill hole (vehicle must be level when checking).

The transaxle drain plug (2) is located on the lower right side of the transaxle differential housing. Tighten drain plug to 14 N·m (120 in. lbs.).

Below are some additional tips:

Remove the air filter box completely. (both halves) This is done by removing the air filter hoses, then removing both sides of the housing by gently pulling it up off the rubber mounts. It presses on similar to the plastic engine cover.
Do not fill the Manual Transmission via the top rubber plug! Although it can probably be used if you fully drain, then fill with exactly 2665 ml I would not recommend that. Use the side plug and fill as described above.
You will likely have to remove the plastic splash shield to gain access to the drain plug and fill hole.

.

Lone Star · Jan 12, 2009

Transmission oil change

Homac:

Thank you for the post, and the picture. It is just as you say.

:smiley_thumbs_up:

jepstr67 · Jan 12, 2009

I would like to know who has actually done this with out a hoist. (and how it went)

Harbor · Jan 13, 2009

Is anyone else besides me missing the 4 pics that were originally attached to Homac's thread?

RichHelms · Jan 13, 2009

Pix

No pix for me either

Edited - appeared for me after I appended this.

Harbor · Jan 14, 2009

Homac - Could you please re-attach the photos. For some reason they got deleted.

Thanks!

homac · Jan 15, 2009

Done !

I have done this and it is easy, simply follow the instructions in the Service Manual (posted above) and take a look at the pictures.

Harbor said:
Homac - Could you please re-attach the photos. For some reason they got deleted.

Thanks!

BWheeler · Jan 15, 2009

That was absolutely a pretty nice write up...
Thanks for putting pics as guide.... :smiley_thumbs_up:

Hitzy · Jan 30, 2009

If you removed both the "yes" and "no" plugs, could you fill it up from the "no" until it basically pours out the "yes"?

homac · Jan 31, 2009

Hitzy said:
If you removed both the "yes" and "no" plugs, could you fill it up from the "no" until it basically pours out the "yes"?

Yes you can do that. As long as you do stop once it runs out of the lower plug.

Harbor · Mar 6, 2009

Temps in Mich finally got above 60 degrees today, so I had an opportunity to crawl underneath my Pat for a trans fluid change.

Vehicle is new (Nov '08) with just less than 1,200 miles, but was experiencing rough shifts, particularly when cold, and a grind going into 2nd gear.

Thanks Homac - Your directions were perfect. :smiley_thumbs_up:

After a lot of internet research, I put in Redline C+ synthetic oil rather than Mopar +4.

After the first drive with the new fluid, the shifts were definitely crisper, but I'm sure there's some pychological / placebo effect or new fluid influence occuring.

I'll report back if there's a change after I've driven it for a while and had some cold weather experience.

homac · Aug 16, 2009

So glad I could help !

Harbor said:
Temps in Mich finally got above 60 degrees today, so I had an opportunity to crawl underneath my Pat for a trans fluid change.

Vehicle is new (Nov '08) with just less than 1,200 miles, but was experiencing rough shifts, particularly when cold, and a grind going into 2nd gear.

Thanks Homac - Your directions were perfect. :smiley_thumbs_up:

After a lot of internet research, I put in Redline C+ synthetic oil rather than Mopar +4.

After the first drive with the new fluid, the shifts were definitely crisper, but I'm sure there's some pychological / placebo effect or new fluid influence occuring.

I'll report back if there's a change after I've driven it for a while and had some cold weather experience.

omniphil · Aug 18, 2009

Harbor said:
Temps in Mich finally got above 60 degrees today, so I had an opportunity to crawl underneath my Pat for a trans fluid change.

Vehicle is new (Nov '08) with just less than 1,200 miles, but was experiencing rough shifts, particularly when cold, and a grind going into 2nd gear.

Thanks Homac - Your directions were perfect. :smiley_thumbs_up:

After a lot of internet research, I put in Redline C+ synthetic oil rather than Mopar +4.

After the first drive with the new fluid, the shifts were definitely crisper, but I'm sure there's some pychological / placebo effect or new fluid influence occuring.

I'll report back if there's a change after I've driven it for a while and had some cold weather experience.

Can you post a link to where you got the Redline fluid?

Harbor · Sep 12, 2009

omniphil said:
Can you post a link to where you got the Redline fluid?

omniphil - Just looked at e-bay and bought it at the lowest price.
However, I've heard good things abouit Royal Purple Synchromax, and am going to try that over the next month or so. Got that at Amazon.

Lot of discussion against using ATF+4 in a manual tranny:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1593413#Post1593413

Anyone recall what size hex wrench is used on the drain plug of the manual trans?

Vultite · Jan 8, 2010

any follow ups for you guys who are using synthetic tranny fluid? If you are running the synthetic tranny fluid, are you also using full synthetic motor oil as well? should be a slight improvement with resistence and mileage....

omniphil · Jan 8, 2010

The Mopar ATF +4 that is used in pretty much all Chrysler vehicles now is already a fully synthetic fluid and is pretty darn good too...

Vultite said:
any follow ups for you guys who are using synthetic tranny fluid? If you are running the synthetic tranny fluid, are you also using full synthetic motor oil as well? should be a slight improvement with resistence and mileage....

steel5blue · Jul 2, 2010

Harbor said:
omniphil - Just looked at e-bay and bought it at the lowest price.
However, I've heard good things abouit Royal Purple Synchromax, and am going to try that over the next month or so. Got that at Amazon.

Lot of discussion against using ATF+4 in a manual tranny:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1593413#Post1593413

Anyone recall what size hex wrench is used on the drain plug of the manual trans?

Just changed to Royal Purple Synchromax, was skeptical, but can report smoother shifting after 50 miles of use.
The drain plug hex is #8.

MINICooperS · Jul 3, 2010

Good write-up but, WHY are we changing manual trans fluid on vehicles 1-2-3 years old? Maybe the placebo effect? For me that's one more reason why I buy manual transmissions, less maintenance.

Harbor · Jul 3, 2010

MINICooperS said:
Good write-up but, WHY are we changing manual trans fluid on vehicles 1-2-3 years old? Maybe the placebo effect? For me that's one more reason why I buy manual transmissions, less maintenance.

MINICooperS - Trying to improve the shift quality. To me, the poor shifing is the weakest feature on the vehicle.

steel5blue - Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try and report back.

Harbor · Jul 7, 2010

steel5blue said:
Just changed to Royal Purple Synchromax, was skeptical, but can report smoother shifting after 50 miles of use.
The drain plug hex is #8.

Tried the Royal Purple and it really improved the quality of the shift, particularly the balkiness in between gears that must have been due to the thinner ATF. Interestingly, as others have posted, my tranny also took 3.5 quarts of fluid before it ran out of the overfill hole.

5 Speed Manual Transaxle/Transmission Fluid Change

homac

Lone Star

jepstr67

Harbor

RichHelms

Harbor

homac

BWheeler

Hitzy

homac

Harbor

homac

omniphil

Harbor

Vultite

omniphil

steel5blue

MINICooperS

Harbor

Harbor

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