If you hear any bangs or groans coming from your transmission, get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. So if you buy a car new, change it every 40,000 miles, and you wonât have that problem. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. This... Hi there - you likely have more than one problem at work here. guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Toyota recommends changing transmission fluid in their automatics and CVTs at 100,000 miles, while some Jaguar cars are due at 60,000 miles, and Ford heavy duty trucks should be serviced at 150,000. Check the transmission fluid level. If you searched the internet for “high mileage oil,” you would find more than 66 million results. It is a very very dark orange lightish brown color and it looks like I might need to change it soon. Is it Safe to Drive With a Slipping Transmission. The low end for an automatic transmission fluid change interval is around 30,000 miles (a little under 50,000 km). So the transmission was already on its last legs. First task is to extract the problem codes which are causing the Check Engine light to come, and the codes (Honda specific) causing the Vehicle Stability Assist... Hi there. Every vehicle is different, so it’s no surprise that every car has different requirements for how often transmission fluid should be changed. I have a 1999 GMC Sierra with 159K miles, and I've been noticing some hard-shifting in 1st/2nd gears as well as some soft shifting or stuttering when in 3rd/4th. Got a question about cars? owners, Our mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities, Fleet Maintenance with certified mobile mechanics, The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Discussion Starter • #1 • Apr 24, 2017 (Edited) I have a 2005 Toyota Corolla CE with an Automatic Transmission, which has 141K miles on it. It’s usually located behind the oil dipstick. In a worn-out transmission, these products of wear can temporarily "seal" various pistons and O-rings. Ignoring problems with cars is like ignoring problems with teeth. The goal here is to flush the transmission BEFORE the fluid gets contaminated. At this point should I a leave it alone B you a flush and fill or C drain and fill it? The gas cap actually had a little pinhole in it. When the clutch is worn, it no longer has the clamping strength to transmit power from the engine to the transmission. Some cars only require this every 100,000 miles, while others may require it every 30,000. Look in the fuse box for a blown fuse and replace it. Should I change transmission fluid on a high mileage car? If no problems crop up after oil change, then congratulations you have increased the life of your … I think it depends a lot on how HIGH of mileage we are talking about, and what condition your FLUID and FILTER are really in. This transmission fluid should allow your manual transmission system to make quicker shifts and more efficient movements. Don't do it unless your transmission is running fine and the fluid is first-rate, because it can make transmission failure imminent. Circuit 1 failure means that there is a blown fuse in your fuse box. technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car In the old days, the guideline was to change transmission fluid every three years, or 30,000 miles, whichever came first. I just added seafoam trans tune at 70,000 miles and it seamed to help with some of the rough … Check the color of the automatic transmission fluid using a white rag so you can see it clearly. When to Change Transmission Fluid. transmissions. That's why at that mileage it's generally recommended that you change the filter too. Well, I don’t think you’ll get very far on empty. Is this still good advice, or have there been changes made to newer vehicles that allow us to drive on empty? We would both like to change out and possibly flush the ATF but we've both heard stories about ATF changes being dangerous on high-mileage vehicles that haven't had an ATF change in a while. If it... Hi there. We would both like to change out and possibly flush the ATF but we've both heard stories about ATF changes being dangerous on high-mileage vehicles that haven't had an ATF change in a while. Optimize fleet uptime and compliance via mobile vehicle repairs, Partner with us to simplify and scale fleet maintenance, Over 25,000 topics, from beginner tips to technical Check the transmission and see if the cable is moving when the shifter is moved from the park position to the drive position. And for every one of those tasks, new, clean fluid is better than old, crusty fluid with old pieces of broken-off transmission in it. Please see our. A transmission flush is a procedure to remove old automatic transmission fluid (ATF), sludge and grime from a vehicle’s transmission and replace it with fresh fluid. And you definitely want to change the filter anyway. What you are taking out should look like what you are putting in. What do you suggest — continuing to change the oil and flush the entire system? Change the transmission fluid. I checked it and it does not smell burnt and it isn't black either. © So we think this theory is nonsense. Most people are aware that their engine oil needs changing on a regular basis. Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Chance of rain 100%. On the other hand, most owners are clueless when it comes to knowing when to change their transmission fluid. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. And when, shortly after the fluid change, the transmission dies, the guy blames it on the fluid change — instead of the 180,000 miles he had on the car, and the drag racing and donuts his 16-year-old kid does with it every Friday night. The automatic transmission fluid has a brown red tinted color to it. High mileage transmission flush. There is no risk to changing it if you use the proper oil. I get different answers at the dealer. Is it OK to change trans fluid on high-mileage cars if the fluid’s never been changed? Making certain your fluid levels are on the mark and keeping regular maintenance schedules will help your transmission deliver well over 100,000 miles of trouble-free service. What you are taking out should look like what you are putting in. When you’re ready, use KBB.com to find a repair shop that can change your transmission fluid. And, even though that stored air might contain a little bit of moisture, it lets in air only when it is needed. You should definitely change it at the recommended mileage regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission. Maintenance/Repairs. 09 Forester XT is it safe to change transmission fluid on high mileage ? And finally, most gas tanks are now plastic, so they don’t rust. Yes, This is pretty much the insanity behind the idea that you shouldn’t change your fluid in your automatic transmission if it has high mileage. But a new way of servicing transmissions, called a flush, came into widespread usage in the mid-1990s. Sign up for Kelley Blue Book newsletters The best cars and best deals delivered to your inbox Friends say that will cause an expensive repair job. But i read it's not good to get a full flush on a high mileage car. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. It is more work to change the filter than a simply drain-and-refill, but one benefit is that the pan will, or should be, cleaned inside. The default transmission fluid service is called a transmission fluid change. Changing the transmission fluid on a high-mileage car is risky. costs, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive That outside air could get into the tank at all times, even when the car was parked. If your vehicle is regularly used for severe duty, such as towing or hauling heavy loads, that interval should be shortened. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, your issue can be caused by a worn clutch. 2002 Honda Accord. Most manufacturers calls for transmission fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals. So if you buy a car new, change it every 40,000 miles, and you won’t have that problem. July 4, 2016, 7:58pm #1. Proper checking instructions vary vehicle to vehicle but it's usually imprinted on the transmission fluid dipstick. You probably can guess that I like keeping vehicles a long time, so proper maintenance is important — as soon as I figure out what it is! You should definitely change it at the recommended mileage regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission. If the fluid has never been changed, it might be contaminated by products of wear. “In a high-mileage car, power-flushing the transmission fluid can dislodge sludge and other particles, leading to clogs even after the clean fluid has been added.” My mechanic says the fluid is ‘dark’ and the transmission should be flushed. I change the automatic fluid whenever the transmission “feels” like it needs it, which tends to be about the time I get to the recommended fluid-change interval. My father who is good friends with a guy at a Ford dealership even said the same thing. Do not wait for a color or smell change. That's why at that mileage it's generally recommended that you change the filter too. That is a question that I have struggled with for a long time. It probably has been changed. But i read it's not good to get a full flush on a high mileage car. Some manufacturers don’t put a transmission service schedule in the owner’s manual at any mileage, but most of them eventually need a fluid change. Advertise EN. Waiting longer usually just results in more pain and expense. A transmission flush is a procedure to remove old automatic transmission fluid (ATF), sludge and grime from a vehicle’s transmission and replace it with fresh fluid. My truck is an 05 and has 85k and was thinking about doing the 100k service, which includes the transmission fluid change. Maintenance/Repairs. The common recommendation from automatic transmission car manufacturers is that you change the transmission fluid at least every 150,000 miles, but preferably after 100,000 miles. In your case, if it shifts okay, I personally wouldnât do it, with that kind of mileage. On a normal car, you should change it every 40,000 miles or so. So there’s little chance of water affecting performance. If no problems crop up after oil change, then congratulations you have increased the life of your transmission. While some people are sticklers for low mileage on a used car, it doesn't mean that you should write off every decent-looking car with high mileage. Changing the transmission fluid on a high-mileage car is risky. But, if your car is a high mileage vehicle (think 150,000 km), and is still running on factory filled transmission oil, you are better off just leaving it alone. True? The customer would say, "you told me it was ok" My father who is good friends with a guy at a Ford dealership even said the same thing. Topic starter Hello! Used Cars New Cars Certified Cars Car Values Questions More. 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