Chevrolet Repair: Geo transmission fluid never changed, 1997 geo prizm, geo prizm

Question
I have a 1997 Geo Prizm with 170,000 miles on it. I have never changed the transmission fluid. I got burned one time when I changed the transmission fluid on a Malibu and shortly after that the transmission died on me. I have heard that if the transmission fluid has never been changed, that changing it might cause problems. What do you recommend? (Oil has been changed every 3,000-4,000 miles.)Thanks!
----- Sonny Narvaez

Answer
Hi Sonny, I would change it soon. To change the auto trans fluid all you need to do is remove the drain plug in the pan. If the fluid is brown then maybe you should do it couple times. Change it then drive it for 5 miles and change again. It takes about 3 quarts of fluid each time. If your malibu trans went bad after a service then either they didn't get the filter in correctly or just a coincidence.


Have a nice day         Mark