pickup truck transfer case......change the oil?

[63tb]

I have 2008 Dodge Dakota 4x4 V6, with only about 30k miles on it. I mostly use the 4 wheel drive in the winter.
I regularly change the engine oil, but what about the transfer case oil? I think the book says it's do at 60k, but at the rate I put on miles, that's a long way off. There are no leaks or even damp spots on the case.

Is this a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", or is this something I should do since the truck is 5 years old?

thanks

63tb

[uptown]

I should never need to change the gear oil in the TC. I've had a dozen 4x4s over the years, some with constant hard driving/pulling and I've never found the need to do such a thing. Just check the level every so often and add to it if needed.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I should never need to change the gear oil in the TC. I've had a dozen 4x4s over the years, some with constant hard driving/pulling and I've never found the need to do such a thing. Just check the level every so often and add to it if needed.

At least Jeep maintenance includes regular TC oil changes. There are plenty of moving parts, including a heavy duty chain that leave debris in the oil when wearing down.

[SIK1]

At the very least follow the manufacturers recommendations. As long as the oil looks clean, isn't burnt and is within the service interval you should be good to go. Lubricants break down over time so they should be replaced at regular intervals.

[rpm]

At the very least follow the manufacturers recommendations. As long as the oil looks clean, isn't burnt and is within the service interval you should be good to go. Lubricants break down over time so they should be replaced at regular intervals.

This. You might even consider switching to synthetic for extra protection. Mobil 1 is hard to beat and easy to find.

[KgB]

SUBJECT:
Fluid Flushing Requirements
MODELS:

2005 - 2008             (CS)            Pacifica

2006 - 2009             (D1)            Ram Truck (3500 Pick Up)

2010                    (D2)            Ram Truck (3500 Pick Up)

2007 - 2010             (DC)            Ram Truck (3500 Chassis Cab)

2005 - 2009             (DH)            Ram Truck (1500/2500 Pick Up)

2010                    (DJ)            Ram Truck (2500 Pick Up)

2005 - 2008             (DR)            Ram Truck (1500/2500 Pick Up)

2009 - 2010             (DS)            Ram Truck (1500)

2005 - 2009             (HB)            Durango

2007 - 2009             (HG)            Aspen

2009 - 2010             (JC)            Journey

2007 - 2010             (JK)            Wrangler

2005 - 2006             (JR)            Sebring Sedan & Convertible/Stratus Sedan

2007 - 2010             (JS)            Avenger/Sebring

2008 - 2010             (KK)            Liberty

2007 - 2010             (KA)            Nitro

2005 - 2007             (KJ)            Liberty

2009 - 2010             (LC)            Challenger

2005 - 2010             (LE)            300C/300C Touring (International Markets)

2005 - 2010             (LX)            300/Magnum/Charger

2007 - 2010             (MK)            Compass/Patriot

2005 - 2010             (ND)            Dakota

2005 - 2006             (PL)            Neon

2007 - 2010             (PM)            Caliber

2005 - 2010             (PT)            Chrysler PT Cruiser

2005 - 2007             (RG)            Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)

2005 - 2007             (RS)            Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

2009 - 2010             (RT)            Town & Country/Grand Caravan

2005 - 2006             (TJ)            Wrangler

2005 - 2006             (VA)            Sprinter

2007 - 2010             (VB)            Sprinter

2005 - 2010             (WH)            Grand Cherokee (International Markets)

2005 - 2010             (WK)            Grand Cherokee

2006 - 2010             (XH)            Commander (International Markets)

2006 - 2010             (XK)            Commander

2005 - 2010             (ZB)            Viper

2005 - 2007             (ZH)            Crossfire
DISCUSSION:

Chrysler Group vehicle fluid systems do NOT require regular flushing. These systems include: engine oil, transmission oil, axle lube, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and refrigerant. The only exception to this requirement are published in the vehicle maintenance schedules, e.g. engine coolant.

Exceptions to this recommendation include only those instances where a failure has occurred and/or the system has become compromised, contaminated or overheated beyond the normal operating range.

Chrysler Group does NOT recommend aftermarket chemicals to flush the engine, transmission, brake or steering systems. Chemicals contained in these products can damage the system elastomeric components, and contaminate the component fluid, leading to loss of system/component durability and service life. When necessary, only the original approved system fluid should be used to flush these components using teamPSE(R) approved equipment.

If the engine coolant contains a considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with Mopar Cooling System Flush, p/n 04856977, or equivalent. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Refill with a minimum of a 50% mixture of the specified coolant and distilled water.

POLICY:
Information Only
Disclaimer :This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.

[SIK1]

Flushing and changing the fluids are two different things.

[KgB]

Flushing and changing the fluids are two different things.

Yep. Shoulda read before posting

[KgB]

Deleted

[uptown]

At least Jeep maintenance includes regular TC oil changes. There are plenty of moving parts, including a heavy duty chain that leave debris in the oil when wearing down.

Yeah this is true with any mechanical device, but do you realize how many miles it'd take to get the TC oil that dirty? We're talking transfer case here...not transmission. 63tb says he has 30k on the motor so he'd be pushing it to have 10k of drive time on the TC. Surely that Dakota isn't full time 4x4. Change it oil of ya want but IMO it's a waste of time and money.

[Masherbrum]

I have 2008 Dodge Dakota 4x4 V6, with only about 30k miles on it. I mostly use the 4 wheel drive in the winter.
I regularly change the engine oil, but what about the transfer case oil? I think the book says it's do at 60k, but at the rate I put on miles, that's a long way off. There are no leaks or even damp spots on the case.

Is this a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", or is this something I should do since the truck is 5 years old?

thanks

63tb

Unless it has been submerged, I wouldn't sweat it.  You should either have an NV 233 or 243 and both are decent TC's.  I would be more concerned about the 3.7L engine or the Transmission.    The TC is the more reliable of the three.  

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Yeah this is true with any mechanical device, but do you realize how many miles it'd take to get the TC oil that dirty? We're talking transfer case here...not transmission. 63tb says he has 30k on the motor so he'd be pushing it to have 10k of drive time on the TC. Surely that Dakota isn't full time 4x4. Change it oil of ya want but IMO it's a waste of time and money.

If it's not full time AWD the TC is of course not going to require that much maintenance.

[63tb]

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like I should leave it alone.

63tb

[rpm]

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like I should leave it alone.

63tb

For at least 20K unless you have problems. 

[SIK1]

If it's not full time AWD the TC is of course not going to require that much maintenance.

Even if it's not full time AWD the tc is still transmitting power. It's just not engaging the front drive shaft. You still have heat and wear issues not to mention the break down of lubricants. The reason that most service intervals are time and/or mileage is that the fluids start degrading the minute the container is opened. So even if you put brand new fluid in and never use the piece of equipment the fluid will degrade over time.

If you have ever work on any type of machinery you know it's easy to tell the difference between equipment that has been properly maintained from that which has not.
After all servicing the tc is not that expensive, if you do it yourself, and it is not that difficult to do.