Why is Mopar fluid from dodge so expensive about 20 dollars a qt?

Actually the fluid is pretty cheap, probably a buck or two.





The rest is what you pay for the MOPAR label, and the "privilege" of buying OEM fluids!





OEM parts and supplies are marked up very high because there is no "free market" for licensed products. In other words, MOPAR is the only one who can sell MOPAR oils. However, the same oil (not sure may be Castrol) can be bought in generic form under different names. It's kind of like buying generic drugs vs name brand.





Many OEM parts, such as air filters, spark plugs and such fall in the same category. There will always be some parts that are not cost effective, or even legal in some cases for an aftermarket firm to reproduce.





Also, don't let any one tell you that you must use MOPAR fluids in your Dodge product or you will void the warranty. You have a legal right to use any aftermarket product with the same industry specs that you choose.|||You people are something else. Newer vehicles are designed totally differently from cars and trucks 15 years ago! Older cars can "get by" with dino based fluids, like trans fluid. Modern vehicles, however, are infinitely more refined and fuel efficient. To accomplish this end. most fluids are synthetically made. THIS is why the fluid is more expensive. Especially since Mercedes bought into the Chrysler Corporation. Mercedes Benz fluid, is an eerie blue iridescent formulation, but it should last for 150,000 miles, since it's properties are custom formulated for lubricity, detergency, and coefficients of friction. Regular old Dexron will NOT work in these cars. EVERY automaker now, has it's own formulation for their own engine oils, trans fluids, power steering fluids, and even brake fluids. To mix different types is a form of automotive suicide!! TO the best of my knowledge, there is no NON-synthetic 5w-20 oil, for example. Audi/VW use a trans fluid that is GOLDEN YELLOW in color. If you want to waste out your cars workings, the best thing to use is some generic junk found at most jiffy lubes. You can trash out your expensive Dodge transmission in a few heartbeats by installing a fluid of improper formulation. GET WISE ABOUT THESE THINGS. READ your owner's manual for fluid specifications and UNDERSTAND!!!! There is Dexron-T for Toyota, Dexron-H for Honda. Etc!!!! Engine oils, too, are refined for use in different vehicles. Generic oil used in most quick oil change places is a total CRAPSHOOT!!!!|||I had a Dakota that needed AFT +4. They told me at the dealer I had to buy their stuff or the vehicle would break down and leak. I told them "my Ford never needed special fluids and it had over 110k on it w/o a problem!"





Anyway, I did some research and found that VIP auto carries ATF+4 and that ATF+4 was first made by Valvolene. I went to my local Wal Mart to get motor oil and for the hell of it I looked for the ATF+4. You'll never guess what I found: Mopar ATF+4. The dealer wanted $12qt for it, Wal Mart $4qt or something stupid. Catrol at VIP was about $4. The dealer was shocked when I slammed the bottles on the counter with my reciept and accepted my refund!|||Because they think there are enough stupid people who are gullible enough to pay $20 a qt for transmission fluid that should sell for $2 a qt. NAPA sells it for just under $7 a qt. I'm sure you can get it cheaper at big box stores.|||the special additives in the dodge oil are available in other brands and are not expensive. use the right oil to avoid problems.|||Remember Chrysler corp (or LLC now) makes cars not oil, this is a huge mark up for using their label and everything at a dealer is more expensive anyway. There are equivalents out there--use them|||Chrysler has to get out of bankruptcy somehow. Go to an auto parts store and get an equivalent fluid. save some money