QuestionQUESTION: I just had my vehicle's oil changed and the mechanic (non-dealer) recommended that I change my transmission fluid really soon. My vehicle only has 24K miles and the fluid doesn't look dark or dirty to me. How do I know whether the fluid truly needs to be changed?
ANSWER: You ordinarily shouldn't need to worry about this until 30K. You're required to change the fluid under the severe driving schedule at that mileage. On the normal schedule, it's required at 105k miles with checks every 30k and replacement only if warranted. My personal opinion is that 30k is a good interval for transmission fluid changes and that it should be dependent on mileage only, not time. As long as you don't meet the conditions for the severe maintenance schedule, and your fluid has the proper odor and color, there's no obligation to change it until 105K (or 7 years) based on the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
Also, if you have the transmission serviced at a facility other than the dealer, be certain they use only SP-III transmission fluid.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dear HT,
Thank you for the earlier response. I do a lot of driving in traffic (30 minutes to travel 6 miles), so I may be close to the "severe" driving condition and will probably consider getting the fluid "flushed" and replaced between 30K and 40K miles. If you think overwise based on the information I've provided, please let me know.
My follow-up question is how do you recommend that I get the fluid changed? I've heard of Pump Inlet and Cooler Line Flush Machines, with the former being the recommended machine for thoroughly removing the older transmission fluid. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks.
AnswerIf the fluid is in good condition, you should be okay with a drain and refill. If it looks or smells bad, you're probably better off doing a flush. In either case, make absolutely certain SP-III transmission fluid is used and *do not* allow any additives to be put in the fluid.
