I know it would be stupid not to, but why do I hear people talk about they don't change their tranny fluids because it can cause problems?

 

You may have heard of people speaking about not changing the tranny fluid after so many miles without being changed.

On my car for example, for the ~130k mile life on it, had the tranny fluid change once before I got it. When I went to have the fluid flushed and refilled, people told me not to because there may be junked up fluid filling leaks. I did it anyway, I would rather have new fluid rather than let the old fluid keep getting older.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by awdgsx96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You may have heard of people speaking about not changing the tranny fluid after so many miles without being changed.

On my car for example, for the ~130k mile life on it, had the tranny fluid change once before I got it. When I went to have the fluid flushed and refilled, people told me not to because there may be junked up fluid filling leaks. I did it anyway, I would rather have new fluid rather than let the old fluid keep getting older.</TD></TR></TABLE>
yep, that's what I mean. So I'm guessing you did not have any problems after you put the new fluids in??? I mean That's what I usually do.

 

it's not to not change fluid, it's to not flush the tranny. Some people swear by it while others don't. The ones that don't usually recommend just draining and refilling the tranny.

 

Nope, no problems. It also cured the problem of hard shifts, which I'm sure I can blame on the ATF gunking up. No leaks or anything, but that very well could have been just my case.

 

drain and refill x3 ftw

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by awdgsx96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nope, no problems. It also cured the problem of hard shifts, which I'm sure I can blame on the ATF gunking up. No leaks or anything, but that very well could have been just my case.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So my question would be then, when do you need to flush the tranny instead of just drain and refill??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheMuffinMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">drain and refill x3 ftw</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by aries331 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

So my question would be then, when do you need to flush the tranny instead of just drain and refill??</TD></TR></TABLE>

You don't need to, it can be harmful to the tranny in some cases.

The best way is the drain and refill multiple times - it doesn't put unnecessary strain on the tranny

 

unless the fluid has not been changed in a long time, a drain and fill is the way to go. you can also use a trans oil change machine that uses the transmission's internal pump to suck in new fluid and discharge the old fluid as those are not the forced flushers that cause all the problems.

 

Most of that "not change the fluid" thing came from older domestic transmission. AMC and many late 70's Chrysler automatics, and 80's Fords, are like that. People change the fluid and the tranny either starts blowing seals or slipping bad. It is a double case - old gunked up fluid w/ high mileage tranny. As the tranny gets used, it will flake bits of metal off and fill said old fluid up, filling a lots of gapping issues as it gets older.

I have never known a Honda automatic to have this issue. The only problem Honda autos have is the clutch packs wearing out around 230k-245k miles, usually between second and third gear.

Honda manual tranny? Only issue they have is worn out inner synchro teeth and badly shifting driver, if you stay in a lower horse power env.

 

Very helpful replies, now I'm clear and can continue my 25k intervals drain and refills!!!
Thanks

 

I went to change the fluid on my trans and the Drain plug ended up stripped....seemed like it had never been pulled off.

 

I would say take it to a honda shop have them do there power purge do a couple of time drive it for a few thoshand mile drive it hard and change the fluid agin just to be sure to get all the gunk out from the first time

 

what about manual transmissions? i remember checking mine about 20k miles ago (now has 165k) and the oil was still clear/golden...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by srlance24 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what about manual transmissions? i remember checking mine about 20k miles ago (now has 165k) and the oil was still clear/golden...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Follow your manual's scheduled maintanance chart, I read some place else that even if the fluid still looks red and clean, the viscosity changes over time, therefor affecting your transmission shiftings.

 

well its not transmission fluid that my manual tranny takes, its 10w-30 i believe. still need a change even if golden/clear?