Question for mechanics about fluid flushes?

Question

What about transmission and power steering system flushes. I heard they are the new "rip off" How often should these really be done?

Answer 1

OK lets set something straight here. You CANNOT get all the fluid out by flushing it. You only get about 5 quarts, and it holds about 12 quarts. The reason you can't is because the torque converter holds fluid that is not in the pan. A flush only removes whats in the pan. OK; You are NOT changing the filter, so you aren't really doing a whole lot for the transmission but mixing new fluid with old dirty fluid, and leaving the dirty filter in there. Are you doing any good? Yes, to a degree! Read your owners manual, and I believe IF you read it correctly you will see it says to change the filter too. I'm not here to make any assumptions either way, I'm just stating facts. Most vehicle manufactures recommend to change the filter and fluid at about 75,000 miles. Go to a Transmission shop, and have it serviced. This way you will be dealing with professionals, and not a bunch of parts changers that claim to be mechanics. Quick Lube places are OK i guess, but I would never go to one, for the simple reason they employee very young people that couldn't be old enough to hold any certificates in mechanics. Your power steering can be flushed, and that is a very smart idea, in order to insure a long life of the pump and valves. I hope I have been of some help. Good Luck!!!
I would like to add to this: If you have the best answer, and are more qualified to answer the question, then are you not wasting your time and energy to answer a question that is not going to get voted on to begin with? It is a shame someone would spend so much time to answer a question (the correct way) and not get any votes by the asker, or friends of the asker. I cannot see anwers that us real mechanics are passed by not getting any votes. How can this be? There is at least 3-4 real bad answers that get votes as best answer, while correct, qualified, experienced mechanics don't get any. Maybe one should pass by these questions, since it is a waste of effort to answer such questions.
something else:
Some Vehicles you have to remove the exhaust pipes, and the crossmember just to get the pan off to change the filter. I don't see any of the flushers doing that, do you?? Flushing does not get 100% of the fluid out, and if you think it does, then you need to go to school and learn how it works.

Answer 2

The trans flush is worth it if you get the filter replaced also and the vehicle is not too old. And they do hook it up to a machine.
The power steering flush is normally not done correctly and can be a rip off. A lot of mechanics these days are just sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and just filling it back up with new fluid. Not removing the old fluid out of the lines and rack n pinion.
Coolant flushes are also a good service And not a rip off if they are hooking it up to a machine and not just draining the radiator and filling it back up.
The trans should be done about every 15,000 miles.Or at least a filter and pan gasket change. Then the flush can wait till 30,000 miles
The coolant once a year to 2 years
The power steering once every 30,000miles also.

Answer 3

transmission is a great thing to do. Depending on what type of driving you do (city, highway, towing) the interval is very different look in the manual to see how often to do it. On the other hand the power steering flush is just a scam to make money. If you can find any auto manufacturer that recommends this service in an owners manual or other writing I would like to see it because for the last 18 years working on cars i have not seen one. I only flush fluids by manufacturer recommendations unless it gets contaminated. Now if you get water or other types of fluids in your steering then yes good idea to get it changed other wise dont bother with it.

Answer 4

Every car manufacturer specifies different intervals for getting your fluids flushed. This is not a rip off!! As oil gets heated and cooled all the time its properties change slightly and its pH becomes more acidic. This will wear out seals and hinder its lubrication properties. Make sure you get a flush done at a reputable repair shop. Most times transmission flushes are not done properly. Cheaper is not always better! Good luck!

Answer 5

How far would you drive your car without a oil change? 25-30,000 miles? I didn't think so, transmission fluid just like motor oil gets contaminated, and the material from the clutches are also clogging up the filter. As time goes on, your transmission fluid gets darker and darker (just like motor oil) and all those contaminants are causing un necessary friction against your moving parts in your transmission. It is very important to flush out your transmission every 30,000 miles, prolonging the life of the unit. Transmission services (pan gasket and filter service) only get out 1/3 of the dirty oil, where as a flush exchanges 100% of the dirty oil... you decide if its a rip off.

Answer 6

This works for me though it may not be what the engineers would call ideal. (what is) I drain and refill the transmission at every other engine oil change as it only holds 40 ounces. also once a year I remove as much oil as I can from the brake and power steering resevoir and refill with new. While not ideal it still gives everything a shot of better oil. Ask people in their 60"s and you will find your fathers never changed fluids in the 50"s like they do now and the products are much better now. I really think mechanics take advantage of unknowing people and believe me they know within seconds weather you know anything about your car.

Answer 7

I agree with Musiclicker.

No point in flushing if you arent going to pull the torque converter out and clean it too. Flushing a tranny or P/S system is not a scam but there's a catch to this. (Opinions are like..XXXXXXX) And this is mine from experience. 20 years. I have seen tranny flushes create problems in vehicles. To cover my rear as a mechanic and a service manager, I only encouraged customers to do it IF IT WAS DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS (PER MFR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE) SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, OR THE TRANS WAS REBUILT.
Otherwise it was a gamble as to whether it would hurt or help you. Plus I didn't want to R&R a tranny (for free) for warranty work.

And changing or flushing the fluid without changing the filter is kinda silly isn't it? Kinda like washing your clothes in dirty water?

As far a P/S flush, that wouldn't hurt, I don't think it's a scam. Some manufacturers recommend them, some don't.

Just make sure they use the correct fluid. ATF is generally not the correct fluid!

For you paranoid people, not all mechanics are trying to rip people off. Just because you may not like the price for repairs or labor, don't go saying we are ripping people off.
Unless you want to invest thousands of dollars in tools, ungodly amounts of time and frustration trying figure out what an engineer designed, (but doesn't have to work on), and daily cuts bruises and injuries trying to get to that one damn bolt, don't complain.
We are hard working people just trying to make a fair living. You want to accuse someone of rip-offs, try lawyers and politicians. At least we work for our paycheck. You come try gettin' dirty for a living.

Answer 8

you should have the trans flushed every 50,000 miles.the reason for the flush is to empty your trans completely,and refill w/new fluid.the internal parts DO wear .and the particles get caught in the Value body .when buy -pass the filter.with this service i recommend also a filter change.I've been a tech for over 30 years and was a re builder for 10.it does work .on the down note if the trans is old and the oil is brown and smells burnt and the trans is still working don't touch it .it will cause more problems for you.new trans oil will clean all your internal parts.then it will fail you

Answer 9

I have done transmission work in the past and recommend every 25000.miles I have never really changed power steering fluid,just added. That is what my mechanic recommends for trannys also.

Answer 10

change the trans fluid and screen every 3 years and the power steering fluid every 50,000 miles allthough no one ever does either until there is a problem.