🔧 Grand Cherokee - Transmission Fluid & Filter Service

On your Grand Cherokee, the correct way to “change” transmission fluid is to drain the pan, replace the filter (and pan gasket), then refill and set the fluid level by transmission temperature. The level is not set by “fill until it overflows”—it’s checked with a special service dipstick through the dipstick tube.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the SUV with jack stands, not the jack.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot—let the transmission cool and wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Keep the engine off when draining; only run it later for the final level check.
• ⚠️ Do not crawl under the SUV with only the air suspension (if equipped) supporting it.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Shop rags
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Torque wrench (foot-pound)
• Torx bit set (T20-T40)
• Metric socket set (8mm-15mm)
• Metric hex key set (3mm-10mm)
• Plastic trim scraper
• Fluid transfer pump (hand pump)
• Transmission service dipstick tool 9336A (specialty)
• Scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (ATF+4) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Transmission filter - Qty: 1
• Transmission pan gasket - Qty: 1
• Transmission drain plug seal washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner (non-chlorinated) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on a level surface, apply the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• 📏 Plan to keep the SUV level while draining and refilling (level is critical).
• 🌡️ Make sure your scan tool can display Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) before you start.
• 🧰 The service dipstick tool is a long calibrated dipstick used to check fluid level on transmissions that don’t have a normal owner dipstick.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely lift and level the SUV

• Place wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front, then set the front on jack stands.
• If you need more room, lift the rear with the floor jack and support with jack stands so the SUV sits level.

Step 2: Locate the transmission pan and drain the fluid

• Place a drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the transmission pan.
• Remove the pan drain plug using the correct tool from your metric hex key set (3mm-10mm) or metric socket set (8mm-15mm) (varies by pan/plug style).
• Let the fluid drain fully.
• Reinstall the drain plug temporarily and tighten with a torque wrench (foot-pound) to Torque to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Remove the transmission pan

• Keep the drain pan under the pan—more fluid will spill when the seal breaks.
• Use a Torx bit set (T20-T40) or metric socket set (8mm-15mm) (whichever fits your pan bolts) to remove the pan bolts.
• Leave 2 bolts loosely threaded at one end, then gently lower that end of the pan to control the spill.
• Remove the remaining bolts and lower the pan.

Step 4: Replace the transmission filter

• Locate the filter on the valve body (it’s the plastic housing above the pan).
• If retained by a fastener, remove it using your Torx bit set (T20-T40).
• Pull the filter straight down to remove it. Expect a little extra fluid.
• Install the new filter, making sure the seal seats fully and evenly.
• If your filter uses a retaining fastener, tighten with a torque wrench (inch-pound) to Torque to 4 Nm (35 in-lbs).

Step 5: Clean the pan and install the new gasket

• Clean the pan with brake cleaner (non-chlorinated) and shop rags.
• Clean the magnet(s) in the pan; a gray paste is normal, chunks are not.
• Remove old gasket material using a plastic trim scraper (avoid gouging the sealing surface).
• Install the new transmission pan gasket.

Step 6: Reinstall the pan and torque the bolts

• Position the pan and hand-start all bolts.
• Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern using the correct driver from your Torx bit set (T20-T40) or metric socket set (8mm-15mm).
• Final-tighten with a torque wrench (inch-pound) to Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs).

Step 7: Refill with ATF+4

• Locate the transmission fill/dipstick tube (it has a locking cap from the factory).
• Use a fluid transfer pump (hand pump) to add ATF+4 through the dipstick tube.
• Start by adding about 4 quarts so you’re safely on the stick before final leveling.

Step 8: Set the fluid level by temperature (critical)

• Connect your scan tool that reads transmission fluid temperature (specialty) and monitor TFT.
• With the brake pedal held, start the engine and slowly move the shifter through P-R-N-D, pausing 2-3 seconds in each position, then return to P.
• Insert the transmission service dipstick tool 9336A (specialty) fully into the dipstick tube, then remove and read the level.
• Add ATF+4 in small amounts using the fluid transfer pump (hand pump) until the fluid level matches the correct dipstick range for your current TFT. Small adds make a big difference.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔎 With the engine running, inspect for leaks around the pan gasket and drain plug.
• 🧪 Road test 10-15 minutes, then re-check the level by TFT again using the service dipstick tool.
• 🧼 Recheck for leaks after the test drive and again the next day.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$470 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.