To Change or Not To Change? (Transmission Fluid)

[welderbob]

I have a 1996 Trooper with 150,000 miles on it. The previous owner only had the transmission changed once and he did not have any service records as to when or how many miles were on it. The transmission shifts fine with no problems and no warning lights or codes. I am planning on keeping this truck till the wheels fall off, and am wondering if I should have the transmission fluid changed and or flushed at a jiffy lube or somewhere. I know maintenance is important, but I remember my brother changing tranny fluid in his old '79 chevy, and the tranny went to pieces. Any suggestions?

2eyefishclaw, how bout some advice?

[rodeo02]

Check the condition of the ATF from the dipstick. If it's still fairly clean & red and does not smell nasty, your 4L30E will take a full ATF change with out problems. If the ATF is really nasty, I would not change it all at once. Either way, if it were mine, I'd draw out 3-4qts from the dipstick tube (or pump out 3-4qts from the cooler line), drive it for a few days/week, change another 3-4, drive it, change more, etc.. The 4L30E wont last until the wheels fall off without regular maintenance.
G/luck
Joel

[two dogs]

Transmissions need regular servicing.,....done properly.

The cheapskate shops suck the fluid out the stick hole and just refill.

The proper ones drop the pan, and change the filters, new gasket, etc.

Even then its less than $150 each time.

I consider it cheap insurance (trans cost a lot when they go bang) and do it every 30 or 40,000 miles.

What tends to go wrong is that the fluid heats up, especially if toing in heavy traffic and turns to varnish on the internals...not a good look.

Also the overdrive clutches gradually disintegrate over time and start to block the delicate bits in the trans.

Worst case is a blockage in the cooling pipe to the base of the radiator...then everything goes downhill real fast, and by the time you get codes or trans lights showing you better remortgage.

[awer25]

Go to the dealer, mine charges $160 I think for a complete ATF "power flush" (like 13 quarts or something). I haven't had it done but it looks like the best way to change all the fluid.