Question here: I am about to do the regular fluid changes, trans, diff, transfer case, on my 2001 Dodge Dakota 4x4. Should I use synthetic products? I bought it new, now has 65,000 miles, and plan to keep it for awhile.

Any thoughts.

BTW, I have looked at a couple of forums related to Dodge, but they are not very serious. They sort of look like instant messager read outs written by teenagers with foul mouths. LOVE this forum.

DS
87 300D
01 Dakota

Having freed the tumblers of a doorlock with Marvel Mystery Oil, I highly recommend it for all your motoring needs.

I poured it on my dog's ass and he ran faster'n I've ever seen that bastid go.

Marvel Mystery. Red, slippery and aromatic. Tastes like fish, too.

I've seen this topic bounced around at a couple Dodge forum sites. At least wrt the Ram (drivetrain closely related to the Dakota's), it looks like they're mainly concerned with the transmission fluid. They recommend the super-ultra-top-grade stuff -- a notch above what's in the owner's manual -- along with an aftermarket transmission cooler, especially if you're hauling things. Also, people tend to recommend against flushing the transmission fluid if it's clean and not burned at all. They say it can create more problems than it prevents. For engines, I've never read about problems from synthetics. hth.

Betcherass.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

I would think that at 65K miles, you are almost too far along in engine wear for synthetic to do any good. It might do more damage...

Volkl42:

I am thinking more of using syth products in the trans, transfer case, rear end, and power steering. Not necessarily the engine.

DS
87 300D
01 Dakota

I had a professional lubrication engineer spec out recommendations for me (on a GM car). He said use Mobil 1 spec lubes for all except the power steering fluid. He said the GM spec fluid was a good as there was.

MB specs out synthetic for all fluids (Mobil 1). 65K miles is still in range, provided you do not have excessive wear, which you should not at that mileage.

For the engine oil, Mobil 1 engineers recommend:
Use Mobil 1 syn oil, plus their filter or a 10-20 micron size filter (std. is 30 micron). Change the filter only at 5 and 10K miles, replacing lost oil from filter. Change both oil and filter at 15K. They say the oil is good for 20K, so that leaves a margin, when you go past 15K.

So I say go for it. If you do the tranny, make sure it is a full flush and replace.