Changing transmission fluid: How often?

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

if you can't do it yourself, take your vehicle to a good independent mechanic.

Probably what you meant.

 

[StageLeft]

My 2000 Maxima has NO change interval for tran fluid regardless of auto or manual and dito I'm pretty damn sure on my MPV. Certainly a fluid change of any kind is not necessary to maintain my MPV's extended 100k CPO warranty (I confirmed as much on the phone last year).

I agree with above, though, do the filter and fluid only. I did that last year minus the filter, seemed a pain to get to so didn't bother, just did the fluid at about 75k. I found a technique on some mazda forum consisting of running the engine with the transmission radiator line set to pour into a bucket, so I'd do that, then when it was empty after 10 seconds I'd put that amount back in the transmission, then repeat. It did this several times and by the end pretty much all of the fluid in the transmission was new fluid. A bit ghetto but simple. I have done the same on power steering fluid.

Everyone here is saying how a flush is cheaper than a new transmission, which is true, but not helpful or meaningful; without any data on the chances of needing a new transmission I could just as easily tell you to replace your car's tires every 5000 miles instead of every 25k because, hey, new tires grip better and I'd rather spend a little extra on them than end up in a big accident and have my entire family die.

BTW I'd be more inclined to get this done at the stealership or a bona fide transmission shop than jiffy lube where Ricky who just turned 18 is using your car as practice, he finally worked his away from engine oil changes to transmission flushes, congratulations, Ricky!

 

[CraigRT]

If you're worried, just dump it and change it.
I just did the fluid on my fathers' 00 Maxima automatic.... Easy.
I just did the fluid on my '02 Maxima 6 speed.... Easy.

It's cheap insurance to drain and refill. His car shifts better and so does mine.

(Skoorb you should put some Redline MT-90 in your gearbox, its the shit!!)

 

[thescreensavers]

I found a technique on some mazda forum consisting of running the engine with the transmission radiator line set to pour into a bucket, so I'd do that, then when it was empty after 10 seconds I'd put that amount back in the transmission, then repeat. It did this several times and by the end pretty much all of the fluid in the transmission was new fluid. A bit ghetto but simple. I have done the same on power steering fluid.

So you emptied your crankcase and let it run dry, ouch man. I would of never of done that and just poured in the new fluid at the same rate the old was going out, and stopped when the fluid color changed.

 

[CraigRT]

So you emptied your crankcase and let it run dry, ouch man. I would of never of done that and just poured in the new fluid at the same rate the old was going out, and stopped when the fluid color changed.

That is what you're suppose to do, pour in constantly..

 

[Gillbot]

I have never changed it. My transmission hasn't stayed in long enough for it to matter, plus the car only has 14k total miles on it. (See sig)

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What's your manual say?

My Tundra apparently has lifetime fluid. That sounds strange to me.

Lifetime = length of MFGER warranty, once that's up thye don't give a flip.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

So you emptied your crankcase and let it run dry, ouch man. I would of never of done that and just poured in the new fluid at the same rate the old was going out, and stopped when the fluid color changed.

Um, he changed the transmission fluid not the engine oil.

 

[StageLeft]

So you emptied your crankcase and let it run dry, ouch man. I would of never of done that and just poured in the new fluid at the same rate the old was going out, and stopped when the fluid color changed.

Well it did run dry, yes, but not for long. Once the flow mostly stopped I shut it down. The main MPV forums have had this write up and that's what the guy (I think a mechanic who works at Mazda) said to do and said it would be fine to run it out like this. If you think about it it's still very well lubricated so my guess is unless you're doing it for a long period of time you're fine. Only a guess but hey

Um, he changed the transmission fluid not the engine oil.

True this. I wouldn't run a car even for a second without sufficient oil pressure. I've told my wife if the oil pressure light ever goes on, no matter where she is, pull over and shut it down!

 

[jlee]

Lifetime = length of MFGER warranty, once that's up thye don't give a flip.

Eh they bought my Tacoma back at 1.5x retail value after extending a warranty (truck would otherwise have not been covered), so I dunno...if every Tundra's transmission failed at 100k, I think they'd have another problem to deal with.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Eh they bought my Tacoma back at 1.5x retail value after extending a warranty (truck would otherwise have not been covered), so I dunno...if every Tundra's transmission failed at 100k, I think they'd have another problem to deal with.

That was most likely due to the buy back because of the frame rust issues and they were trying to get them off th street before it became a bigger PR nightmare. They didn't give you 1.5X retail value because they liked you, thye did it to get your truck.

But it was a good investment

 

[squirrel dog]

Flushing any transmission is only good for the shop/dealer as it is a quick and dirty work around . See here . http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/45

A good shop will drop the pan and do the proper service,not a 'flush'.A flush won't replace the filter will it ?

 

[jlee]

That was most likely due to the buy back because of the frame rust issues and they were trying to get them off th street before it became a bigger PR nightmare. They didn't give you 1.5X retail value because they liked you, thye did it to get your truck.

But it was a good investment

Yes, but the truck was out of warranty. They extended the warranty specifically so it would cover the frame rust issue, because it was becoming such a common problem. If every Tundra had transmission failure right around the same mileage, that's a big PR nightmare too.

 

[killster1]

Flushing any transmission is only good for the shop/dealer as it is a quick and dirty work around . See here . http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/45

A good shop will drop the pan and do the proper service,not a 'flush'.A flush won't replace the filter will it ?

every time i change fluid i drop the pan change 18$ filter and clean the magnet in the pan. every 45k. Remember the pan has a torque and a order for the bolts otherwise you will bend it and have leakage