How often should you change the ATF Oil ?
- Thread starter isekii
- Start date
Unless you have a crappy transmission, like I did. I'd replace it every two years. But if your car is pretty new, then you should only have to change it after every 5(?) years.
OrganizedChaos
Diamond Member
- Apr 21, 2002
- 4,524
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- 0
dropping te pan and changing the filter at least every 30k isn't a bad idea but it depends on vehicle. difficulty is 2 of 5 stars. messiness is 5 of 5 stars. no matter how you try and do it, you will take a bath in it.
On my Dodge Stratus that I used to own, dropping the pan for tranny service meant that the pan never fit right again. The dealership performed the first 2 changes, then I took over from there. I ended up fixing problems that they created. After I was done, it performed as it should and didn't leak because I used the proper gasket and not 100% RTV sealant as the dealership did. BUT, I did have to buy a torque wrench to evenly torque the bolts for the pan. Just make sure you follow the tightening/torquing procedure for your vehicle as described in the repair manual.
However, there is another option. Find a shop local to you that utilizes BG Products transmission flushing/filling procedure. Dropping the pan as previously described, might only mean changing out 1/4 of the tranny fluid, because much of it will still remain in the tranny. Using the BG process instead, will ensure nearly 100% of the fluid is changed out - and the process is doine without even dropping the pan. When I last had this process done, it was $190 - becuase I had synthetic fluid installed instead of the regular fluid. In my opinion, this will be the only type of tranny fluid changes that I'll utilize in the future.
However, there is another option. Find a shop local to you that utilizes BG Products transmission flushing/filling procedure. Dropping the pan as previously described, might only mean changing out 1/4 of the tranny fluid, because much of it will still remain in the tranny. Using the BG process instead, will ensure nearly 100% of the fluid is changed out - and the process is doine without even dropping the pan. When I last had this process done, it was $190 - becuase I had synthetic fluid installed instead of the regular fluid. In my opinion, this will be the only type of tranny fluid changes that I'll utilize in the future.
Never. But then again I have a manual transmission. I've changed that once at 74K. If you have a Honda you don't have to worry about dropping the pan to change filter. As previously mentioned a newer car, I'm assuming your's is with 17K, you shouldn't have to change it for a long time. This all depends on your driving style, location, etc.
Well with a manual transmission, the transmission isn't exposed to blowby smoke, etc, and all the other crap an auto-transmission is exposed to. Unless you purposely burn up in a manual, it'll never get hot. AT's get pretty hot, and since they're exposed to smoke and crap, junk gets in the fluid..
Automatic transmissions don't share the sump with the engine oil; the ATF isn't exposed to combustion byproducts.
Depends on the car, year made, and design.
Like the Cav./Sunfire have sealed Trans and are good to 80-100K. But most cars I would say is 20-30K.
Alos depends on what you use the car for and if most miles are hard/city miles then sooner is better.
Like the Cav./Sunfire have sealed Trans and are good to 80-100K. But most cars I would say is 20-30K.
Alos depends on what you use the car for and if most miles are hard/city miles then sooner is better.
ohtwell
Lifer
- Jan 6, 2002
- 14,516
- 9
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I think the transmission fluid is usually supposed to be changed every 30,000 miles. It's best to check the manual to see when routine maintanence should be done. If you don't have the manual go buy a Haynes Manual for your car at an auto parts store.
: ) Amanda
: ) Amanda
dud
Diamond Member
- Feb 18, 2001
- 7,635
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Isekii, what type of tranny do you have? If manual, it is very easy to do. I change mine every 5 years (both cars are manual) and it's not messy at all. My old Nissan truck had a recessed, threaded plug as a fluid plug. You would insert a ratchet and remove, drain fluid an d replace ... yur done.
Stick: Change once at 3K (or whatever recommended break-in is by manufacturer) and then never change it again.
Auto: Usually every 30-40,000 miles. Depends on the manufacturer. Of course, if you use Mobil 1 Synthetic auto, there's no telling how much it can go for...but the stuff's expensive and not widely available...
Auto: Usually every 30-40,000 miles. Depends on the manufacturer. Of course, if you use Mobil 1 Synthetic auto, there's no telling how much it can go for...but the stuff's expensive and not widely available...
Well I do my own oil changes, cuz it makes me feel like I accomplished something on the car
I'll take my car to the dealership for the major services but minor ones I can do myself.
Originally posted by: Syringer
I don't think you should be changing your ATF on a manual
Thank you Master Mechanic.
On my beast of an olds (220k miles and going strong) I've had the AT fluid flushed (not changed by removing the pan) every two years. The tranny still shifts smoothly.
In my past careers I was a mechanic - I'd have to say that heat is what kills parts (if they're properly designed). If you do a lot of hot city driving, change the oils more often than if you're doing freeway driving.
In my past careers I was a mechanic - I'd have to say that heat is what kills parts (if they're properly designed). If you do a lot of hot city driving, change the oils more often than if you're doing freeway driving.
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