I have a 1995 Volvo 940 w/ 111,900 miles. Everytime I get an oil change done, I am told that the transmission fluid needs to be flushed. I had it flushed twice, at 105,000 miles and at 109k miles. Recently, i was told to get it flushed again @ 111k miles. Do they just want the money, or is something wrong with my transmission?
2006-07-06 06:49:57 · 7 answers · asked by Mike 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have been working on cars for a few years and I have a few bits of advice as well as a question.
When was the FIRST time you got the transmission flushed?
A full flush will cost on average $150 so repeated flushings add up quick. If a transmission has a lot of miles and gets flushed it can actually be detrimental to the vehicle. -Perhaps some critical "crud" has built up in the tranny and is preventing a leak, thus flushing would dislodge the crud and could result in a leak. Don't get paranoid, but this is a common mechanic fear and some companies wont perform flushings on older vehicles for this reason. So it is safer, but not cleaner to simply drop the pan and change the filter. I recommend flushings on newer vehicles every 35000-45000 miles. I had a 1996 F150 with 150k miles and I only flushed it 3 times, ZERO tranny problems. One thing you can do yourself is to check the fluid regularly. If there is grit in the liquid or the fluid is more brown than red you may have a problem.
Check the fluids and see whats up. If they are flushing this often for no reason i can only guess you are getting scammed. If you are comfortable, ask them why the repeated flushings.
Even the mechanics who recommend flushings only do so for every 30K miles. Good luck!
2006-07-06 07:05:55 · answer #1 · answered by genactive13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As 'wrenchman' said, the fluid should be clear and red with no burnt smell. If it looks and smells OK don't have it done. You only need to service the transmission every couple of years as normal maintenance. Check the owner's manual for the time & mileage. If it really does need to be flushed again so soon it is an indication that there is a problem such as overheating due to a cooler/radiator issue, or internal slippage of the clutches causing heat by friction. Good luck
2006-07-06 09:08:47 · answer #2 · answered by Rockvillerich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They want your money. It only needs to be done about every 30,000 miles at most and some manufacturers are extending that to 60,000 miles. That is if there is nothing wrong with the transmission, if they are finding metal particles then you should look into getting it fixed before your stranded on the road. I hope each time you flush your filter is being changed too.
2006-07-06 06:56:32 · answer #3 · answered by Rancher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the fluid has a strong odor or burnt smelling and brown instead of red, they are trying to sell you a service due to thinking the car has not been serviced. Take the car to a transmission shop for an evaluation, most will test drive it for free. Most likely it has internal slippage that is burning the fluid causing it to appear old before it's time.
2006-07-06 06:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by wrenchman1995 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first you really only need to flush & change the filter about every 12,000 miles or so, read owners manual. If do not have one call a volvo dealership.
2006-07-06 06:57:26 · answer #5 · answered by rcbriver_rat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are going to the same place they are trying to get money form you. if you are going to different places, they assume you didn't have it done before(yet).
also if you only had it flushed, you might need to have the filter changed, that will require a little more work and cost.
2006-07-06 06:53:40 · answer #6 · answered by . 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you ask the person who's recommending the flush?? We can't know what their motivation is!
2006-07-06 06:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋