I have a 01 Dodge Stratus coupe. Now if you don't know, its the same platform as a eclipse (same engine and tranny). I called the dodge asking them what kind of fluid it needs and they said I only needed Mopar and had no idea what Diamond SPII was. I called a Mitsubishi and asked them what they used and they had no idea what I was talking about. So my question is Mopar a Equivalent to Diamond or should I use Diamond SPII.
If the vehicle is a 2001 Dodge, the correct fluid is likely Chrysler ATF+4. I'd read the owners manual as it specifies exactly what is required. Also, ATF+4 superceded ATF+3, so if it came with ATF+3 and that is what is called for as the correct fluid in the owner's manual, then you can use either +3 or +4. Do not use GM Dexron, even though the manual may state this is OK to top off in an emergency.
My advice is to find out for sure what fluid to use and ONLY USE THE CORRECT FLUID. Chrysler transmissions are different and can be very finicky. Use the wrong fluid and you jeopardize having trans slip or torque converter shudder and will cause excessive wear and potentially premature failure.
I do know that Chrysler made some transmissions for Mitsubishi. My 1991
3000GT has a Chrysler made electronic 4 speed that specifies ATF+3 and that is what I have used.Bob
Bob S is correct. Use the ATF=3. I went around in circles on that Diamond SPII business with my daughter's 2000 Mirage. One Mitsu dealership tried to sell me Mercron. Said that's what they use for trans servicing. I won't be going there for any work. Got the ATF+3 equivalency heads-up on this board and confirmed it with Quaker State. IIRC, the can says something along the lines of "for Chrysler vehicles and some Mitsubishi vehicles." Apparently there may be some issues with ATF+4 vs ATF+3 in older vehicles. Good link regarding that....
"When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all."
- Justice William O. Douglas
This is an eclipse transmission and engine. I don't have the owners manual but I was told that I am spose to use Diamond SPII but no dodge dealership has this and nobody can give me a straight answer if its safe to use anything else.
Use the ATF+3. You can buy it at KMart. I used it when I changed the fluid in my daughter's car which called for Diamond SPII. ATF+3=Diamond SPII. There is your straight answer, which I confirmed with Quaker State via email. You can probably find the ATF+3 in a Diamond SPII bottle at a Mitsu dealer if you don't mind paying $7 per quart.
"When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all."
- Justice William O. Douglas
I recently purchased the Mitsu Diamond SPIII at a Mitsu dealer near San Diego, and the fluid was $4.79 per quart, which is not much more than the $3.99 per quart at the local Auto Zone for ATF+3.
I couldn't find any definitive crossover for SPIII to ATF+3, so I used the SPIII. I tried Dexron III, and got poor shifting from my 99 Galant...flareup on 2-3 shift, and erratic shifts elsewhere, all of which went away when I drained, flushed, and refilled with SPIII.
Gerard
The price differences between 1 coast and another are considerable, so it seems. Local stealership is still charging $6.99 for the Diamond SP and the local KMart is charging $2.79 for the Quaker State ATF+3.
"When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all."
- Justice William O. Douglas
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