How often or should you change out Tranny fluid

Deleted double post.

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.

Cousin_Eddie93 wrote:
My MH has 44,000 which I bought at 36,000. The tranny fluid is bright red thus it looks like previous owner may have changed it otherwise I have no idea, no records for that. Last year I flushed the rad only to find the old anti freeze in pristine condition; thus I think changing the tranny fluid my be a waste if it was done prior to me owning it. I've changed the oil every season wether it needed it or not so I suppose I might as well change the tranny fluid. It has a tranny cooler so I could pump the old fluid out that way while adding the new simultaneously but not sure if I should even bother?

Well here it is; my blotter sample looks and smells like its new or at least fairly new. No burnt smell at all thus like the old wise man once said; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Wix and NAPA filters are made by the same company, excellent product.

Wix and NAPA are made by the same company, great filters.

wcjeep wrote:

Dakzuki wrote:

gbopp wrote:

jfkmk wrote:
I would not go to jiffy lube, but that's a personal choice.

x2.

Jiffy Lube is notorious for upselling unnecessary work, and poor work. They have also been caught multiple times not doing work they charge for.

I used to work at an independent Porsche/Audi/VW shop. Multiple times we had to make repairs to vehicles "serviced" by such outlets. Recently I changed the oil on a car serviced by some such place. I could barely get the filter and drain plug removed. Dangerous situation for the engine.

Jiffy lube does not always use engine oil filters that meet or exceed OEM spec. Fram Filters do not meet or exceed OEM spec. Pay extra for a quality shop to do it right.

I use Wix oil filters and synthetic oil...

Dennis

I changed out my trans fluid in our 2012 E-350 Class C switching to pure synthetic at 16,000 miles (Ford says to change it at 30K), as we were about to depart on a 7K+ mile trip. Switching to the synthetic reduced my trans fluid temps by 10 degrees across the board. I expect to go 25,000 miles before changing it again.

:C

Dakzuki wrote:

gbopp wrote:

jfkmk wrote:
I would not go to jiffy lube, but that's a personal choice.

x2.

Jiffy Lube is notorious for upselling unnecessary work, and poor work. They have also been caught multiple times not doing work they charge for.

I used to work at an independent Porsche/Audi/VW shop. Multiple times we had to make repairs to vehicles "serviced" by such outlets. Recently I changed the oil on a car serviced by some such place. I could barely get the filter and drain plug removed. Dangerous situation for the engine.

Jiffy lube does not always use engine oil filters that meet or exceed OEM spec. Fram Filters do not meet or exceed OEM spec. Pay extra for a quality shop to do it right.

I wouldnt if it is red and does not smell burnt.

My MH has 44,000 which I bought at 36,000. The tranny fluid is bright red thus it looks like previous owner may have changed it otherwise I have no idea, no records for that. Last year I flushed the rad only to find the old anti freeze in pristine condition; thus I think changing the tranny fluid my be a waste if it was done prior to me owning it. I've changed the oil every season wether it needed it or not so I suppose I might as well change the tranny fluid. It has a tranny cooler so I could pump the old fluid out that way while adding the new simultaneously but not sure if I should even bother?