Automatic Transmission Service

[chrisblues]

I got my oil changed today. My 2004 base vibe has 19,186 miles on it. They told me I should get my transmission fluid changed because it looked like it has 30,000 miles beacuse it was dark.Is this normal or are they just trying to make a buck (it would be $99.99 by the way)?Anyone else change the tranny fluid this soon?

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by chrisblues »I got my oil changed today. My 2004 base vibe has 19,186 miles on it. They told me I should get my transmission fluid changed because it looked like it has 30,000 miles beacuse it was dark.Is this normal or are they just trying to make a buck (it would be $99.99 by the way)?Anyone else change the tranny fluid this soon?No I haven't going in 26,000. did you ssee this trans fluid did it smell funny?sounds like a quick buck.

[chrisblues]

I have not looked at it myself. I admit I don't know crap about cars. I'll take a look at it. What should it look like?

[JohnC]

I believe the owners manual recommends the auto trans fluid change at 60,000 miles for "severe duty".

[tnpartsguy]

Pull the trans dipstick. If it smells burnt, let them flush it. $99 is not a bad price, I think my dealership charged $129....

[ragingfish]

I paid $99 and had a full service done at 50k.

[scherry2]

[QUOTE=tnpartsguy]Pull the trans dipstick. If it smells burnt, let them flush it. QUOTE]they should flush it under warranty. 20,000 miles and the owners manual say 60,000 for heavy use. isn't any way that fluid would be bad unless something is wrong with the trans.

[ToolGuy]

A trans flush or changes in not under warranty, it is considered maintenance...I plan to drain mine at every 25,000, a flush is really better but not always necessary unless there is an issue, you want to pay for it or just prefer it. Draining gets most of the fluid out and then old will mix with the new. Followed this procedure for years on many trans and never had an issue, the key is to keep the fluid clean and good. Again, unless there is an issue like it is burnt, would I do a flush.

[scherry2]

If I took my car in to the dealer with a trans that had burnt trans fluid at 20,000 miles under normal driving conditions they would be changing the fluid under warranty. and if they said no I would pull the warranty book out and ask them to show you where it says burnt trans fluid at 20,000 miles is "maintanance". talking to the transmission Rep at work and he said no way it should be burnt unless the trans over heats. just my $.02

[ToolGuy]

But if the trans fluid is "burnt", you have a trans issue like you said over heats. Burnt and dirty are two different things... Either way, not covered under warranty. Kind of like stating my oil has sludge, change it for me under warranty...

[Mo4iu]

I think they're just wanting to make some extra bucks. Just being dark is normal after it's been in for awhile and you made no mention that they said it was burnt. If burnt that is another issue. If just dark then there should be no reason that you should change it. I switch to synthetic tranny fluid in the belief that it runs cooler and lasts longer. The transmission is another area where, even though the Vibe owner's manual says to change at 60,000 miles for severe service, maintenance shops (and the owner's manuals for older cars) will tell you to change every 30,000 miles. There should be no reason for doing it more often than that though.

[remusrm]

well, the way i see it is quick money. i had a mitsu mirage and i beat the crap out of it and tranny fluid was still clean about 64k miles. sorry, no need for it. but you can check it your self. the best is not check the dipstick and then touch it with your fingers and feel if it is grindy or less lubricated. then you shoud worry.