Transmission Oil Change

[LakerGod]

The dude who usually changes my oil says that I need my transmission oil changed. He suggested I go to a mechanic who specializes in flushing out the oil and replacing it with brand new oil. He says this deal will cost around a 100 bucks. Is what he's saying true, and will it really help my car's performance? Another question, is this something I should take to the dealership to have done?

Thanks for the help!

By the ways, I drive a Nissan Maxima '96.

 

[N8Magic]

How many miles? And $100.00 sounds about right, transmission fluid is more labour intensive to change than motor oil...

 

[ohtwell]

A flush of the transmission in the car can cost around $100 depending on where you go.

You can take it to the dealer or any oil change place, such as Express Oil Change.

Express Oil wanted to charge me around $100 to have that done to my '98 Chevy Cavallier.

I'm not sure what the advantages of flushing the system are though.

 

[Tominator]

A 'Flush' is a waste of money! That's just a new term they use that makes a fluid change sound more expensive.

Your owner's manual should give the proper interval for a fluid change. Some types of filters do not need changed. Both the Mitsubishis I had only had screens in the tranny and no real filter for instance. This type of service can be bought for under $50.

If the car has not had it's fluid and/or filter changed at the proper interval it is a good idea to take the car to a transmission shop. DO NOT take it to the garage you usually use! This type of service requires specialised tools and a person trained to use them and includes a band adjustment. Get an estimate first.

Unless your transmission is slipping or not shifting properly this service will have zero effect on your 'performance.'

 

[LordJezo]

What about doing it yourself?

 

[db]

What Tominator said.

 

[LakerGod]

Thanks for all the help. Does anybody know any good shops that specialize in changing transmission oil? I live in the Los Angeles Area (near Glendale, Pasadena).

 

[Tominator]

Regardless of where you live, word of mouth or the Yellow Pages is a good start. Make sure and check the local BBB if you have any doubts. Most good shops have been there for a couple of decades and are not afraid to state this in their advertisements.

When you go to the shop, look around. Are the bays clean and well organised? Mechanics uniformed and reasonably clean? Do you see some late model cars in the bays or just a bunch of junk?

Ask the specifics of the procedures they will use on your particular model. Again, get an estimate with the specifics of the service and ask about how long they warranty their work. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If they seem hesitant to take the time to give you an answer go elsewhere.

 

[freebee]

Flushing changes all of the fluid. Unless you have a drainable torque converter, some fluid will remain.

 

[bozo1]

A regular change usually runs about $45. For around $100 you can get one that does a complete flush which is what you should get. A regular trans fluid change is just like doing the oil - they change the filter and the fluid but that still leaves a good bit of the old stuff in there. When you do the flush, they flush the entire system and you end up with nothing but new fluid. The most popular brand of 'flusher' is made by Wynns. I'd look for someone who offers that service.

 

[PsychoAndy]

are you driving a manual or auto?

AFAIK, (i dont know if this applies to your maxima) but changing fluid dosent do much. my mechanic told me that he'll get less than half the fluid in the tranny on a drain, so its not really worth it

 

[Tominator]

Some fluid will remain regardless of the technique used...it's there to lubricate! You would never want it to be completely gone.

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<A 'Flush' is a waste of money! That's just a new term they use that makes a fluid change sound more expensive.>>

Maybe in some cases, but not most.

A regular, old style trans fluid change involves (on most cars) dropping the pan and changing the screen or filter, and refilling. On a Taurus, for example (since it's a popular car and I know about it) this will replace about 4-5 quarts of fluid. The trans holds approximately 13 quarts. So you have 8-9 quarts of used fluid left in there, and changing the filter really didn't help much.

A trans flush machine flushes ALL the old fluid out while the car is running, in addition to running cleaner through it. This is MUCH more beneficial than changing the filter using the old method.

That's why you can change fluid the old way and restart the car, and the fluid will still look dirty, but when you use a machine the fluid looks just like it came out of the can even weeks later.
We were all skeptical when we were told we were getting machines, but after they were demonstrated, all the tranny men said the machines were going to cost them a lot of money(in lost overhauls), but would be great for the customers.

Another example: To demonstrate just how well they worked, the rep asked to try a flush on a known bad trans. We happened to have an Aerostar that the tranny was smoked in. It would barely even pull. It was going to be rebuilt anyway. So he hooked up the machine and flushed it. Before, the fluid was black as soot.
The tech removed and disassembled the trans......it was as clean as if he had washed every part.

Have your tranny flushed, it's well worth it.

<<Some fluid will remain regardless of the technique used...it's there to lubricate! You would never want it to be completely gone. >>

Tom, after the cleaner is run through, the old fluid is sucked out while new is put in. No old fluid remains, except maybe residue.

 

[Thegonagle]

Instead of a flush, you could just do a drain/refill at your next two oil changes.

I don't know if the Maxima has a drain plug and a filter though. If there is no drain plug, or if there is a filter to change, it gets to be a pretty messy job (gotta pull the pan) that might be worth paying someone else to do. On my Honda Accord auto, there was no filter and it had a drain plug, so it was just like changing oil. I drained and refilled the transmission a couple times when I first got the car, then about every 15,000 miles thereafter.