Chrysler 45RFE transmission
Encyclopedia
The RFE is an automatic transmission
family from Chrysler
. The name refers to its Rear wheel drive design and Full Electronic control system.
in 1999, it is notable for including three planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features three multiple disc input clutches, three multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized, with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) second gear to increase versatility when downshifting. In 545RFE usage, an extra taller overdrive ratio is also used. Chrysler decided to refer to it as a "multi-speed automatic".
The 45RFE was produced at the Indiana Transmission
plant in Kokomo, Indiana
. It was normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech V8.
The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE.
Applications:
ISB
Diesel engine. It is not currently used in 2007-present Ram 3500/4500/5500 cab chassis. Transmission in these models is the Aisin AS68RC.
The basic design and operation is the same or similar to the 45 and 545RFE counterparts with the following exceptions:
Applications:
Gear Ratios:
Applications:
On the 45 and 545RFE the hydraulic control system design (without electronic assist) provides the transmission with PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, SECOND, and THIRD gears, based solely on driver shift lever selection. This design allows the vehicle to be driven (in “limp-in” mode) in the event of an electronic control system failure, or a situation that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) recognizes as potentially damaging to the transmission. On the 68RFE, fourth gear is used for limp-in instead of second and third.
All RFE transmissions use Mopar ATF +4. Service fill is 6–8 quarts.
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
family from Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. The name refers to its Rear wheel drive design and Full Electronic control system.
45RFE and 545RFE
The 45RFE was introduced in the Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.- Development :...
in 1999, it is notable for including three planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features three multiple disc input clutches, three multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized, with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) second gear to increase versatility when downshifting. In 545RFE usage, an extra taller overdrive ratio is also used. Chrysler decided to refer to it as a "multi-speed automatic".
The 45RFE was produced at the Indiana Transmission
Indiana Transmission
Indiana Transmission is a Chrysler automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The first plant, Indiana Transmission I, opened in 1998 and the second opened in 2003...
plant in Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard and Tipton counties....
. It was normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech V8.
The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE.
- Gear Ratios:
- 1st 3.00:1
- 2nd 1.67:1
- 2nd Prime 1.50:1
- 3rd 1.00:1
- 4th 0.75:1
- Reverse 3.00:1
- 545RFE only:
- 5th 0.67:1
Applications:
- 45RFE
- 1999–2000 Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand CherokeeThe Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.- Development :...
(4.7L) - 2002–early 2003 Jeep LibertyJeep LibertyInspired by styling from the Dakar and Jeepster concept cars, the Liberty was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee . Three trim levels were initially offered; the top end Limited, a more rugged looking Renegade and the base Sport. All were made available with either 2WD or 4WD...
(3.7L) - 2000–2002 Dodge DakotaDodge DakotaThe Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from Chrysler's Ram division. From its introduction through 2009, it was marketed by Dodge. The first Dakota was introduced in 1986 as a 1987 model alongside the redesigned Dodge Ram 50...
(4.7L) - 2000–2002 Dodge DurangoDodge DurangoThe Dodge Durango is a full-size crossover SUV from the Dodge division of Chrysler. It was introduced in 1998 as a mid-size SUV, and as a replacement for the Ramcharger discontinued in the North American market in 1993, and was redesigned to full-size for 2004....
(4.7L) - 2002 Dodge RamDodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
1500 (3.7L and 4.7L)
- 1999–2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 545RFE
- 2001–2011 Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand CherokeeThe Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.- Development :...
(4.7L, 4.7L H.O., 5.7L Hemi) - 2002–2007 Jeep LibertyJeep LibertyInspired by styling from the Dakar and Jeepster concept cars, the Liberty was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee . Three trim levels were initially offered; the top end Limited, a more rugged looking Renegade and the base Sport. All were made available with either 2WD or 4WD...
(Diesel applications) - 2003–2011 Dodge RamDodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
(3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) - 2003–2011 Dodge DakotaDodge DakotaThe Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from Chrysler's Ram division. From its introduction through 2009, it was marketed by Dodge. The first Dakota was introduced in 1986 as a 1987 model alongside the redesigned Dodge Ram 50...
(4.7L, 4.7L H.O.) - 2003–2011 Dodge DurangoDodge DurangoThe Dodge Durango is a full-size crossover SUV from the Dodge division of Chrysler. It was introduced in 1998 as a mid-size SUV, and as a replacement for the Ramcharger discontinued in the North American market in 1993, and was redesigned to full-size for 2004....
(4.7L, 5.7L) - 2006–2010 Jeep CommanderJeep CommanderThe Jeep Commander is a mid size SUV produced from 2006 to 2010. The first use of the Commander name on a passenger vehicle was the popular Studebaker Commander which was produced from the 1920s through 1966....
(4.7L, 5.7L Hemi)
- 2001–2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
68RFE
The 68RFE was introduced in 2007 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickups with the 6.7L CumminsCummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
ISB
Cummins B Series engine
The Cummins B Series is a family of straight-four and straight-6 diesel truck and industrial piston engines manufactured by Cummins. The B Series is known for displacing "one liter per cylinder" because of the popular straight-four and straight-six. A straight-four is also available...
Diesel engine. It is not currently used in 2007-present Ram 3500/4500/5500 cab chassis. Transmission in these models is the Aisin AS68RC.
The basic design and operation is the same or similar to the 45 and 545RFE counterparts with the following exceptions:
- larger bellhousing with different bolt pattern and cutout to accommodate diesel engine
- modified internal components to handle increased torque of diesel engine
- revised gear ratios and Transmission Controller programming for larger application
- no 2nd gear prime for downshifting like the 45RFE and 545RFE transmissions
- Gear Ratios:
- 1st 3.23:1
- 2nd 1.83:1
- 3rd 1.41:1
- 4th 1.00:1
- 5th 0.81:1
- 6th 0.62:1
- Reverse 4.44:1
Applications:
- 2007–present Dodge RamDodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
2500 and 3500 Pickup (6.7L CumminsCumminsCummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
ISBCummins B Series engineThe Cummins B Series is a family of straight-four and straight-6 diesel truck and industrial piston engines manufactured by Cummins. The B Series is known for displacing "one liter per cylinder" because of the popular straight-four and straight-six. A straight-four is also available...
Diesel)
65RFE and 66RFE
For the 2012 model year, the 545RFE was recalibrated and introduced as the 65RFE in 1500 Ram models. With the exception of an improved torque converter, it is physically the same as its predecessor. The key difference in the 65RFE is the ability to use all six forward gears in sequence when using Electronic Range Select mode. In normal drive mode, however, the 65RFE uses the shift pattern of the 545RFE; thus never using 2nd and 3rd gears in succession. 2500 and 3500 models with gas engines received the 66RFE, a hybrid of 68RFE internals (including the gearset) packaged in a 545RFE case.Gear Ratios:
- 65RFE
- 1st 3.00:1
- 2nd 1.67:1
- 3rd 1.50:1
- 4th 1.00:1
- 5th 0.75:1
- 6th 0.67:1
- Reverse 3.00:1
- 66RFE
- 1st 3.231:1
- 2nd 1.837:1
- 3rd 1.410:1
- 4th 1.000:1
- 5th 0.816:1
- 6th 0.625:1
- Reverse 4.444:1
Applications:
- 65RFE
- 2012 Dodge DurangoDodge DurangoThe Dodge Durango is a full-size crossover SUV from the Dodge division of Chrysler. It was introduced in 1998 as a mid-size SUV, and as a replacement for the Ramcharger discontinued in the North American market in 1993, and was redesigned to full-size for 2004....
(5.7L) - 2012 Jeep Grand CherokeeJeep Grand CherokeeThe Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.- Development :...
(5.7L) - 2012 Ram 1500Dodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
(4.7L, 5.7L)
- 2012 Dodge Durango
- 66RFE
- 2012 Ram 2500Dodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
(5.7L) - 2012 Ram Chassis Cab 3500Dodge RamThe Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by the Chrysler Group LLC. As of late 2010, it has been sold under the Ram Trucks brand. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge lineup of light trucks...
(5.7L)
- 2012 Ram 2500
Basic RFE operation
The fully electronic control is accomplished by the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Depending on year and application, it can either be a stand-alone module or integrated with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The TCM uses data from various transmission and engine sensors to control transmission shifting. The transmission operates the solenoid pack to change hydraulic flow through the valve body to various clutches in the transmission. The solenoid pack is mounted directly to the valve body; its connector protrudes from a hole on the left side of the transmission.On the 45 and 545RFE the hydraulic control system design (without electronic assist) provides the transmission with PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, SECOND, and THIRD gears, based solely on driver shift lever selection. This design allows the vehicle to be driven (in “limp-in” mode) in the event of an electronic control system failure, or a situation that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) recognizes as potentially damaging to the transmission. On the 68RFE, fourth gear is used for limp-in instead of second and third.
All RFE transmissions use Mopar ATF +4. Service fill is 6–8 quarts.