I think what some folks are missing is that his transmission fluid is 18 years old with 36k miles on it. That is 18 years of condensation, worn clutch plates,etc. When I changed mine the first time the fluid was 8 years old and 30k miles. When I compared the fluid on a white paper towel like popeye showed it was pink until I put new fluid next to it and it was clearly not as pink as the new fluid. There was a lot of metal fillings stuck to the magnet and other debris in the pan. A mechanic friend said that this is quite normal for the first change. The second fluid change showed very little stuff on the magnet and in the pan. The third fluid change looked like the second. The point is I think the first fluid change is very important, so that stuff does not just circulate in the transmission causing more wear. I know some will say I have gone 100k in my car and all was fine, but in a heavy vehicle like a MH that runs hotter with more load it is a different story.
