Debates on "Transmission Flush"

[Shotta-KB]

I've heard in the past few years some dealers are "recommending" a transmission flush as part of maintenance due to the transmission fluid being too "dirty" or "unusually darker". Now from the little research I have done some say yes its good to do it every so often like every 48,000 KM to extend the life of the tranny others say you don't need to do it as this may cause further damages to the tranny.

So what do you guys think/know about this process and why is it now becoming more apparent for select dealers to be recommending this Transmission Flush in recent years compared to a decade or so ago? Is it just merely for up-selling and getting more charges from the consumers or is this really in fact something that we should pay more attention to when our mileage starts to creep up?

I wanna hear some of your thoughts and let's see if you are FOR or AGAINST this somewhat "new" practice.

[m3zoomzoom]

theres a couple of threads out there on transmission flushes.... but to answer your questions:

1. if ur tranny is already damaged then changing/ not changing the fluid isn't going to do you any good

2. theres no way you can cause damage to your transmission by changing the fluid unless you put in the wrong type of fluid or do something wrong

and 3. as far as i know from what i've been reading on these threads it seems as if our mazdas are better of with a 50k tranny service rather than the 100k as it seems to get dirty earlier

[m3zoomzoom]

personally i've always done 40k tranny fluid and filter changes on all my cars and have yet to have any tranny problems (except on an old caravan at about 250K... but that thing was plagued with tranny problems)

the way i see it you're better safe than sorry

[cwp_sedan]

+1. If you had of searched this has already been covered.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?42053-Auto-Transmission-Flush-advice

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?40736-Coolant-Change-Interval

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?31414-Price-for-Transmission-Oil-Flush

At 48k you are fine with doing a flush. At 148k or more, I would probably just do a drain and refill instead.

[m_bisson]

i went to have it done at 48k as per the manual and the dealership said it's not worth it at that point in time. The recommended close to 80 :|

[htc***]

I found the thread and google about transmission flushing too late. My story : I have a workhorse van which have 193K. I did not know anything about flushing when I went to dealer for transmission service and they ask me about flushing it then I said "ok, go ahead". After they done it then problem start to appear, slipping sometime in cold morning when acceleration and sometime at stop/traffic light when it downshift it shudder a little but not often. Forgot to mention. It's auto transmission not a manual.

See http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?42053-Auto-Transmission-Flush-advice in #30

[Impressive]

My father says there isn't nearly as much benefit to flushing a cars tranny that's standard as their is to one's that's automatic. Is there truth to this?

[ericssonfan]

I'd usually stick to whatever is recommended and outlined in the owners manual.. unless you are experiencing weirdness or problems with the tranny. However I would like to know how many of you guys decided to do an auto tranny flush before 96K...?
At my 48k checkup, I was recommended to do a tranny flush as I was told the fluid was dirty as well as a few other things... So far at about 50K on my car, i've been recommended to have a tranny flush and a brake fluid flush (Not at the same time)

[p-o-g-i]

Well, I know that I'm somewhere between 45k to 50k... and the service department at the dealership I go to advised to have the tranny flush done. Failure to do so in a timely manner can void certain warranties....... mind you this was Ontario Mazda who made this suggestion (sorry Pearly... no offence). Regardless, i will be doing the tranny flush..... just not at this particular dealership.

[loganm3]

Tranny fluid is cheaper than a new tranny!

I have been told, and done this on my past cars- If you go way past your scheduled maintence interval it is SAFER to not flush the tranny ever. This all being said, it is MUCH MUCH better for your transmission to do the scheduled fluid swaps and you will enjoy a long and happy lifespan.

[Hives]

48k is too early. Do it at about 55k

[zakman]

all i no is i debated for a while and finally did ( i have a manual) and it made a world of a difference especially in the winter with the cold days. much smoother shifting. i say go for it.

[kiloaway]

thank you guys for the info. I just called back my dealer to confirm the Transmission Flush as mine is somewhere at 50K.

[Ogata]

to kill this thread. Richard at SP even suggested I do a tranny flush at the 48-50K mark. Enough said =) I got my tranny flushed recently too though I did notice any noticible difference but its a peace of mind thing since I bet replacing and rebuiling the tranny will cost more than just a simple flush.

[Kevin@nextmod]

Well, I know that I'm somewhere between 45k to 50k... and the service department at the dealership I go to advised to have the tranny flush done. Failure to do so in a timely manner can void certain warranties....... mind you this was Ontario Mazda who made this suggestion (sorry Pearly... no offence). Regardless, i will be doing the tranny flush..... just not at this particular dealership.

LOL.. Chris.. no worries.
But to elaborate on that. Its not technically voiding warranties if you don't do it but "IF" you do have a tranny problem, the first thing they look at your car is the mileage and if you're at around 80k and never had a tranny flush then they would instantly tell you they won't warranty your tranny because you failed to do the transmission flush maintaince. Its fine if you do it somewhere else, but make sure you have all the fluid reciepts and reciepts from the shop for doing the job.

[stock3]

ATF changes are very important in prolonging transmission life, so if you want to keep the car far longer than 100k, change the ATF. Also, no flushes are required, as we have two options in changing the ATF that are cheaper and can be done in the drive way. First is a simple drain and fill, 3 will change 95%+ of the ATF and is as simple as draining engine oil. The second is the cooler line flush, it's a little more involved but fairly easy to DIY and will change 100% of the fluid.

Now, having said that, if someone decides not to do a tranny flush, no WARRANTY WILL BE VOIDED, as there is no mention in the owner's manual about transmission fluid changes, so don't fall for dealer scare tactics. The reason dealers push the "flush" is because it is a huge profit maker. Most of the dealers will not perform a full flush, which btw. requires about 10L of ATF, but instead they perform one drain and fill (about 3L of ATF) and call it a " flush" and charge over $100 for it.

So, if for some reason, you really want the dealer to do this service, make sure you ask exactly what they will do, also look at your receipt and check how many litres of ATF they used, if it's 3L, or so, the dealer only flushed your wallet :chuckle