Drain & refill vs. Flush & Fill

[jake75]

For my T&C they charge $90 for drain and refill or $120 for flush & fill. It is almost 7 years old with 30,000 miles. I am inclined to just do the drain and refill. Any advice?

[Chiadog]

Go with the flush and fill, you'll be getting all new fluid! Drain and fill is less than 50% of the fluid volume. But I would ask what exactly "flush and fill" is. No chemicals or high pressures, I hope. Just complete fluid exchange using the transmissions own pump to do the exchange. Obviously, be sure the correct fluid is used.

[Salsa Guy]

X2 no chems or pressure above normal flows/pressure of the transmission. Will they replace the filter with the flush and refill? If so that sounds like a good price.

[jake75]

Oops - should have specified that this is for the COOLANT - not transmission fluid. I don't think I need to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 miles.

[Salsa Guy]

At 7 years old....It's a safe good play.

[Chiadog]

Different fluid - Same answer! Changing 100% is better than changing 50% of the fluid, er coolant. Do you plan to go 21 years on that tranny fluid?

[ramenboy...]

flush and fill with the coolant.

but i've heard with older, higher mileage cars, in regard to transmission fluid, its better to drain and fill

[vibrologist]

30000 miles in 7 years. Even my wife drives more. My '05 Vibe has "lifetime" transmission fluid. It should last ......until it dies?......until the warranty is up?

I will have mine replaced at 100 000. I don't think the previous owner had it changed and it still looks almost clear and does not smell burnt.This stuff seems to be a synthetic brew and should not cause varnish build up as the lower grade stuff did about 10, 20 years ago. The problem was when they introduced the power flush machines the fresh detergents cleaned the varnish off the inside walls and that clogged the filter and passages. That killed the old trannies within 6 month of the service. You hardly hear that anymore.

[jake75]

30000 miles in 7 years. Even my wife drives more. My '05 Vibe has "lifetime" transmission fluid. It should last ......until it dies?......until the warranty is up?

After a downsizing at the end of 1995 I worked out of a home office which in part explains the few miles - but even prior to that I took a 20 minute bus ride 6 miles to a downtown office. Paying for parking didn't agree with me.

[vibrologist]

30000 miles in 7 years. Even my wife drives more. My '05 Vibe has "lifetime" transmission fluid. It should last ......until it dies?......until the warranty is up?

After a downsizing at the end of 1995 I worked out of a home office which in part explains the few miles - but even prior to that I took a 20 minute bus ride 6 miles to a downtown office. Paying for parking didn't agree with me.

Nice. You keep going at this rate and keep the fluids changed, 30 years from now you have an incredibly nice classic car!