So I am told over and over to get it done, but my boyfriend (a chemist) told me its a bunch of hooey and you really don't need to do it. Who is right? Is it a scam or will my car suffer?
2007-09-03 04:28:27 · 10 answers · asked by Kristy 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You will get many OPINIONS on this. None based on fact.
Here's mine.
It's "hooey".
I have a 1991 Chevy 2500 truck with 213,000 miles on it and have never changed my tranny fluid.
I've read many "questions" on YA reguarding transmission fluid changes causing transmissions to go out within a week or so.
If your car/truck is older and has lots of miles on it and it drives fine...leave it alone.
2007-09-03 04:36:27 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Mark F --trans flushing is the only way to get rid of ALL the dirty fluid in the trans, lines, cooler and converter not just changing fluid in the pan which is a third or less of the total fluid in a trans. The process usually uses the transmission's own pump to pump the fluid throughout and poses no risk of too much pressure. Best to check the dipstick for any signs of the fluid smelling burnt and have the pan dropped first to see what worn friction material and metal chips are in the bottom which usually indicates what shape the trans is in---if it's on it's last legs, no sense in flushing. The filter should also be replaced AFTER the flushing as it can get plugged up from debris in the fluid during the flush process especially if it's the paper filter type---this is the major cause of problems after a flush since the paper media of the filter plugs up and does not allow fluid to pass through as well in some cases causing the trans to overheat and burn out. Flushing should be done every 30-50,000 miles unless you tow or have severe driving conditions or if the fluid looks dark, then have it done sooner.
http://www.gadgetonline.com/TransFlush.htm
2007-09-03 05:04:22 · answer #2 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES its a needed item. A transmission is nothing but gears. As the car shifts, these gears nick off minute bits of metal. These float in the fluid and are caught by the transmission filter.
About every 30,000 or what you car maker recommends, be in the owners manual, you should have the transmission drained, flushed, refilled and a new filter installed.
To skip this will SERIOUSLY shorten the life of a cars transmission and cause major repairs down the road.
2007-09-03 04:52:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You left out alot of relevant information: make, year, mileage, transmission working properly now? I presume you are talking about an automatic. Trans fluid doesn't wear out. I agree with your bf. If the oil is a dark color, it's burnt or dirty. Change it. If it is clean and red in color, don't. If you are driving a car with high miles, it's not a good idea to change it. The new fluid will clean out the gunk that's built up over the years and the seals will leak and require replacement. If you are driving a car you've been the main driver on, don't waste the money. Either be real good to your auto-trans for the life of the car, or don't ever. If it works, leave it alone. Good Luck.
2007-09-03 04:43:54 · answer #4 · answered by john_r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After a certain amount of miles, getting your fluid and filter changed is a good idea. Similar to your oil in your car, it eventually breaks down and becomes less effective. The filter gets dirty and cannot filter the fluid as well. Now, will it cause serious issues? Probably not, but as long as you do general maintenance and take care of your car, it should last quite a while. If you are only looking to get 100,000 miles or so, then its not a big deal. Around 75,000 to 80,000 or so is when most recommend changing the filter and fluid for the transmission. A flush isn't necessarily needed since you are changing the fluid and filter.
2007-09-03 04:35:41 · answer #5 · answered by zanilth1984 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you change the filter and fluid you are not getting all the old fluid out, you're only changing half of the fluid. I'm a certified mechanic and will tell you that unless you have alot of miles on the vehicle it's a good idea. If you have over 100,000 miles I personally would not do it, I have seen it cause problems on high mileage transmissions in rare cases when the cleaners were used. If there are no cleaners involved, just straight transmission fluid, I have never had or seen it cause any problems on the higher mileage vehicles.
2007-09-03 04:44:52 · answer #6 · answered by ryankneale 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boyfriend may be a chemist but what does he know about cars?
Let me put it this way. The people who built your car recommend flushing the transmission. Are you going to believe the room full of automotive engineer PHD's or your boyfriend the chemist who has never designed a car in his life?
Or let me put it another way. Would you rather take your chances paying $80 to have your transmission flushed every few years or $2,500 to have it replaced? Transmission fluid gets dirty. Really dirty. It is that dirt, grime and sludge which you need to get rid of, thus why the transmission needs to be flushed. I've seen more than my share of trashed tranny's - all had dirty old nasty fluid in them.
ASE Certified Automotive Service Manager
2007-09-03 04:33:23 · answer #7 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On occasion I have seen transmissions that have failed to have their filter changed on a scheduled maintenance program, loose gear changes because the hooey or gooey clogs up the valves and required tear down of the tranny.
The tranny needn't be flushed if you have no problem shifting and change filters as needed.
The filter is there to be changed just like an oil or fuel filter.
2007-09-03 05:03:37 · answer #8 · answered by dVille 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not think so.
been driving stick and auto since 1973
never did and cars always work fine.
another scam by the vendors.
2007-09-03 04:36:16 · answer #9 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Git R Dun !!
2007-09-03 04:44:31 · answer #10 · answered by TomB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋