To Change Transmission oil, or Not to Change?

[Twisty]

I put a B&M remote tranny filter and a drain fitting in the pan of my Ranger.
Drain, refill with synthetic.
Repeated 2 more times. Changed the filter once a year.

[jimh]

mine recommends change at 36000. i have complied with that. have it flushed at the dealer for $100 usually a little less than once every 2 yrs.
the dealer will tell you if u haven't been changing it, changing it can make problems show up. mine has 160k and hasn't given a problem.
on my truck, flushing it is abt the only way to get it all changed.
i haven't looked but don't believe my torque converter has a drain plug on it (i haven't pulled the cover to check).

my recommendation would be to change it per manufactures service intervals.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Len & Cheri

I don't know of any manufacturer that says you don't have to change the fluid. I follow my owners manual and change at recommended mileage. What does you manual say?

I agree, It is very important to change your fluid. You will also need to change the filter and clean out any metal chips that will collect on the magnet. That will also indicate to you your wear and tear. Also then replace the seal to the pan. Keep a record, because if you have a break down under warranty they will not honor it by saying you did not do the recomended maint.

[SaskCampers]

Do it by the book as has been said a bunch of times. You won't go wrong using the manufacturer schedule for pretty much anything on a truck or car for that matter.

[traveler2955]

IMHO, my best advice is:

What does your owner's manual say? Then be as good or better than they recommend.

Remember your warranty, weight the cost of oil and filter against a new tran.

[BigBaron]

As a former Porsche tech, I can say I've never seen a problem with changing the tranny fluid. Flushing? That's a no-no! Fluid and filter is all you need.

[Bakka323]

Thanks for everyone's input on this! I recently got all fluids changed and cost around $500 but I can rest easy that everything is up to date!

[wyo700]

Originally Posted by BigBaron

As a former Porsche tech, I can say I've never seen a problem with changing the tranny fluid. Flushing? That's a no-no! Fluid and filter is all you need.

I was taught the same thing in school never ever flush.

[Herk7769]

I am sure "change" and "flush" are being used interchangeably here.
I doubt anyone would waste the amount of fluid required to actually flush out the transmission.

[wyo700]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I am sure "change" and "flush" are being used interchangeably here.
I doubt anyone would waste the amount of fluid required to actually flush out the transmission.

Maybe but I am not using them as the same. Power flushing can potentially ruin a transmission.

[jimh]

on flushing, the Ford dealer is the one doing it. I'm assuming they are somehow back flushing thru the filter as well but don't really know what they r doing. their paperwork says flush and installed a transfer kit. don't know if that is their way of saying drained and replaced filter or not.

i did experienced transmission problems on a 67 mustang with a C4 transmission after changing fluid. changed at 36k first time w/o problem next time it was at 90k. the transmission would not make the 2nd shift afterwards. changed the modulator and it would make the 2nd shift but there was nothing there (like going into neutral). after abt a wk of that, i put abt 1/2 cup of brake fluid in it and drove to work (in second). when i left after work, it made both shifts normally. i didn't change it after that and sold the car at 118k.
why the problem would show up immediately after changing the fluid, i don't know; never had anyone explain it to me.

by the way, the same dealer charges $50 to change the engine oil and filter in my F350 diesel truck...that use shell rotella 15-40, i don't think i can do it for that now days.

[MillerTime]

If you flush it will get all the fluids out of valve bodys, torque converter and all the other places that fluid travels. If you drain the pan and change the filter you only get what is in the pan- usually 4-6 quarts. A 4L60E trans, I believe takes about 12-13 quarts to flush and total capasity should be pretty close to the same.

All our tranny guys I work with say to flush (and change spin-on, on allisons). But that is at a Gm and toyota dealership so I don't know what others say.

I've always been told to never change filters, that it will break loose junk that is stuck and introduce it back in the system and cause more problems.

[joshuajim]

I used to own and operate a transmission repair in a previous life (glad that one is gone!). If we did a fluid change on a car that had over 75K miles, we stamped the work order with a stamp that stated that new fluid with active detergents might cause leaks or other mechanical problems. We made the customer sign it before proceeding.

Now that was back in the late 80's, so things may have changed with synthetics and better components.

[lswartz]

I have changed the fluid 2x with 214,000 miles currently. Looks like it will only need 1 more change. I let the transmission pump out the remaining old fluid from the hose going to the cooler until it is clean, just don't let it pump out too much at a time. There isn't any filter to clean, just clean the plug. Oh yes, it is a 2000 Honda Civic. I should get 300,000 miles on it easily.

[TURBS]

Reading in my Chevy manual it states under normal conditions trans fluid and filter should be changed every 50, 000 miles.


UNDER SEVERE SERVICE . It states fluid and filter should be changed every 25, 000 miles.
See footnote (p)

Footnote (p)
Change trans fluid and filters if vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions.

In heavy traffic when outside temp regularly reaches 90 f or 32 c or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as taxi police or delivery service.

Turbs

[MillerTime]

Is that the spin on or internal? My buddy at work says just the spin on.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Is that the spin on or internal? My buddy at work says just the spin on.

Both

[Herk7769]

My post was verbatim from the Allison/Duramax maintenance booklet.