Automatic TransaxleService

I was advised by my dealership that if you change the transmission fluid after 140,000 miles and it has never been changed before that you will have transmission problems. Is this true? Also, I was advised that a fluid flush takes care of needing a filter. Is that also true? I was always taught that you should change the filter when changing fluid. Please advise. Thanks.

If you've never changed the trans fluid before 140K then leave it alone. If you're having any sort of problems with it then a flush will only make things worse. Changing the fluid does not solve any problems it's preventative maintenance only. Think of changing the oil to get rid of rod knock- it doesn't work either. As for the filter being changed with service of the trans it would be a good idea to do both. Dropping the pan to get to the filter and replacing the fluid lost during that service is only about an 80% fluid exchange, because the torque converter holds about 3 quarts or so. Using a trans fluid exchanger is a 100% fluid exchange but the filter is left untouched. So, you should replace the filter, refill the case, test drive it to get to operating temp them using an exchanger, flush the entire trans again. But not if you have 140,000 on the odom.