🔧 Charger - Transmission Fluid Service

Your Charger’s automatic transmission fluid level is set by a temperature-based “fill-to-overflow” procedure. The exact fluid type, pan/filter parts, and torque specs depend on which transmission you have (8-speed vs 5-speed), so we need to identify it before you start.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car on a level surface using jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Transmission fluid can be hot; let the car cool and wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ The engine must run during the level-setting step—keep hands/clothes away from the driveshaft and exhaust.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level front-to-rear and side-to-side; an unlevel car gives a wrong fluid level.

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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)
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Scan tool with transmission fluid temperature data (specialty)
• Socket set (metric)
• Torx bit set
• Hex bit set
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Torque wrench (foot-pound)
• Trim clip tool
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Automatic transmission fluid (correct spec for your transmission) - Qty: 7-10 quarts
• Transmission pan with integrated filter (if equipped) - Qty: 1
• Transmission pan gasket (if separate from pan) - Qty: 1
• Transmission fill plug seal/O-ring (if applicable) - Qty: 1
• Transmission drain plug seal/O-ring (if applicable) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Raise the car and support it on four jack stands so it sits level.
• A “fluid transfer pump” is a hand pump that pushes new ATF up into the fill port.
• A scan tool is required because fill level is checked at a specific fluid temperature.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify which transmission you have (required)

• Safely get under the car and look at the transmission pan.
• If it has a plastic/composite pan that’s part of the filter assembly, that’s typically the 8-speed service style.
• If it has a metal pan and a separate internal filter, that’s typically the 5-speed service style.
• Use your phone to take one clear photo of the pan and the fill/drain plugs.

Step 2: Stop here (to avoid wrong fluid/torque specs)

• The correct ATF type, fluid temperature targets, and Torque to XX Nm (YY ft-lbs) values depend on the transmission variant.
• Using the wrong fluid or incorrect torque can cause slipping, leaks, or case damage.

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✅ After Repair

• After the correct procedure is completed, confirm there are no leaks around the pan and plugs.
• Road test, then recheck for seepage after the transmission reaches operating temperature.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$400 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?

Answer these two quick questions and I’ll give you the exact, trim-accurate step-by-step (with the right ATF spec, temperature window, and torque specs):

• 🔎 Is your transmission pan plastic/composite (filter built in) or metal?
• 🔎 Do you have a scan tool that can read Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT)?

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.