Should You Flush Your Transmission Fluid? Is It Dangerous?!

Greetings: Contact Eml?

I just had my transmission fluid and filter changed on my 2011 Chevrolet Silverado that I purchased new. I'm retired and I don't put the miles on a vehicle like I used to. It just turned over 50,000 miles and that's what the owner's manual suggested. I do pull a large pontoon boat.

With all due respect, I disagree.
First thing is the whole flushing thing. Is the machine totally purged of non-compatible fluid before the flushing begins? Is an extra 4 quarts of fluid sufficient to remove ALLof the old fluid and replace it with new fluid? Is the same machine used on all different makes - with their corresponding different fluids?
Second thing. How do you even know if the transmission is at the proper level when you are finished? Most cars in the last 15 years or so use "sealed unit" transmissions that do not have a dipstick for oil lovel checking. Many end up requiring special dipsticks (Stellantis vehicles) or have no easy way to check them at all (Ford, BMW, and probably others). This puts an extra burden on repair shops in having to follow exotic procedures to determine if the fluid level is correct.
Last thing. Fluid. Just about every vehicle made in the last 25 years or so uses long life synthetic fluids. It is not necessary to change the oil periodically on these. Many of these oils are intended to last the life of the vehicle.
One other thing. I have been rebuilding and repairing transmissions since 1969. I am currently retired, and I only occasionally do transmission work these days. Anecdotal evidence like "never had a problem" is not convincing to me. I strongly redommend against flushing, and lately I recommend against fooling with transmissions at all unless they require repair. This just isn't the "old days" any more, and transmissions in general last so much longer than they ever did in the old cars.

Im a mailman. I got a new 2015 subaru cvt. Changed trans oil every 30k. It was on its 3rd transmission at 90,000 miles. I won't use a cvt now.

In the 80s a fridge lasted 15 years now they barely last 5 before something is wrong with them. Same with cars. Transmission would probably need replacing wether you service it or not 🤷‍♂️

So much voodo behind transmissions. Some shops won’t even do a flush / drain & fill. They get really squeamish about it. I am sure sludge occasionally works lose due to the new fluid and it might cause an issue but I rather never get that sludge. I do mine at 50k miles and look forward to the next 50k trouble free miles.

I will never flush transmission fluid again. I’ve been burnt twice the latest was a 2017 ford raptor that the ford dealer said I should get 100k mile service which included a transmission flush mind you the truck drove like a dream before the flush. The same day they did the flush the truck started to jerk and shutter when in 4th and 7th gear. Ford dealership says I need a new transmission. I will never do it again.

If someone didn't flush every 30K -- when is the cutoff when you would say don't flush... 80K, 100K????

Did I miss it ??? No comment on dropping oil pan and change filters in tranny ?? yes I like change oil not flush

If the fluid is black, can you take out a small amount and replace with a small amount of fluid? Rather than a complete replacement?

Could I get a recommendation for a 2016 audi q5..drain and fill? Or?
Someone help!

Never...👍👍👍

I had a 2002 Ram 1500. On my 2nd trans fluid change the owner of the company didn't do what I asked which was to drop the pan, inspect everything, change the filter and fluid. He decided to flush my system. I didn't get 2 miles and it wouldn't shift properly. I was the only owner, I service my vehicles earlier than "recommended" so maybe I was that rare instance but for me, nope.... I'm not flushing my system. I understand there will be old fluid in the converter but it's still safer to me.

My Toyota dealer tells me my 2005 Tundra doesn’t require the transmission fluid to be changed. I have no problems with the transmission . Where is your shop?

My opinion after decades of turning wrenches. 30,000 for a transmission fluid change is way to soon. It is like changing engine oil every 3,000 miles. But if you think it makes a difference by doing so, by all means spend your money, someone is willing to take it from you.

totally agree! thanks for the video

Can you do the transmission flush after 30k? I'm still under 45k. Thanks

I have a Mustang GT Manual and I have Nissan Juke CVT.. And I do my trans and gear oils every 20K.. So far soo good.. I have 113,000 on that CVT and it still running newish.. I do drain and fills on my CVT every 15K/20K and I do the same thing with my MT82 now too.. People say don't touch it after certain Mileage, but I am a firm believer that these cars aren't going to be mad at you for putting new Oil's in it... Yes the older stuff is the more risky it is but it's all a gamble weather you drain n fill it or leave it in forever..

Honda civic 100000 miles with no transmission fluid change , now what?

I just had my local garage service my wife’s Audi Q5 transmission and the 3 differential’s with Orem Audi parts and fluid , I was really concerned about using the WRONG fluids so I bit the bullet and paid for the REALLY EXPENSIVE Audi stuff , I didn’t know and I couldn’t find anyone who would tell me about an aftermarket fluid that would be safe to use , but come on Audi , $100.00 cnd per litre 😂🤬for transmission fluid , FFS Audi it’s highway robbery

I’m glad I came across your video great content.
I bought an 08FX4 4.0L Ford Ranger and just hit the 60k miles I’m the second owner and sure the trans has never been serviced Ford recommend for trans to be serviced at 60k ,do you suggest to do filter drain and fill or flush ? Also should I get motorcraft ATF along with a cleaner additive? Your advice would be greatly appreciated and thank you for such helpful video .

This is my favorite type of content actually. Very good information

I let the transmission pump out fluid as I'm adding it until it comes out clean. Drop pan and change filter then replenish with amsoil trans fluid. Never had a transmission issue.

1st Gen Mini Coopers supposedly have lifetime transmission fluid in their automatics. That is incorrect and they have had class action lawsuits. You absolutely have to change the fluid at every 50k miles.

Appreciate your advice on this. Also your video quality is excellent-did you upgrade to a better quality camera?

I have a 2009 BMW 335xi with 140k miles. The automatic transmission runs perfectly and has never had a transmission fluid change. Should i do one at this point?

I absolutely agree with his statement that OEMs don’t make money with you driving around in a 300K mile car.

I bought a ‘12 Toyota new. The service schedule log book, that the OEM gave me for the vehicle, does not recommend a single coolant or transmission fluid service. The log book goes out to 120K miles.

They definitely want you buying a new vehicle.

I bought a 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 S. _ When it reached the 90,000 K.M. mark I noticed that it was beginning to slip a little. I immediately took it to the Nissan dealership and had the transmission fluid changed. I had no problems after that but I was careful to accelerate a little more smoothly when ramping up. _ I think a lot of cars are sold by their owners at 110 thousand mark. Nothing will push the panic button quicker than any sign of a faulty transmission.___ The wise advice does not seem to be coming from the dealerships. In almost every case that I know of it's coming from the mechanics.

2014 explorer Sutter changed fluid it had 60,000 took care of my problem. Thank you

Transmission flushes have always solved shuddering and delayed upshifts every single time. I'm always stunned when someone tells me that you're not supposed to flush a transmission.

Changed your atf fluid regularly. If available, use an approved synthetic. Out with the old, in with the new!!

I flush mine. It works great.

Good video on an important topic. I have heard differing opinions on this topic but yours is in agreement with my trusted independent transmission specialist in the Philadelphia area. Interestingly , my Subaru dealer told me "No you dont have to ever change it, it is lifetime fluid" Like you say, they are interested in the lifetime not being too long so you can come back and buy another one.

Any comments in here regarding ZF8 transmission in my Jeep Grand Cherokee? I've never changed the fluid.

I have Dodge Ram 2004 5.7 engine five speed automatic Transmission with 75.000 Milles on it no problem so far i i bought it new i never change the Transmission on it ,
i dont know why , well i am afraid that if i change the oil now i afraid that i may have problem with the Transmissions i guess that why i dont do it the oil is still red colour i dont know what to do now, i change the oil in the engine every 5000 miles but the Transmissions no ....

You don’t mention changing the filter, I’m assuming the filter is changed during every fluid change

I have a 2012 Honda civic lx 1.8, with 170k miles.. I have never changed the fluid. The tranny does have a-little shutter. Fluid is still pinkish. What should I DO?????? ???

Fluid changes cost me an arm and a leg for my 04 dodge ram here in the Bay Area Ca. I’ll probably rent a lift next time and do it myself. Nice to have work done for you but the prices were insane. I’ll go 50 k between trans fluid drains especially if I have to pay those prices. It’s just pretty hard for me to wrench in the street where I live but the mechanics prices here leave me not much choice. I found a place to rent a lift for about 220 bucks (8hours) and the place is a god send. I did my brakes there and avoided being bent over by the mechanics. Most mechanics here are charging 150 -200 an hour plus the parts mark up.

In the Florida panhandle so not too terribly far away. Can you do a transmission flush on a 1998 27’ Class C motorhome on the E450 chassis with the E4OD? It has under 30,000 miles on a rebuild with an added microfiltration unit

When MB brought out their ML320 in 1997 they claimed that the transmission fluid was good for the life of the vehicle! At some point in the future they changed the schedule to every 40,000 miles.

drain and fill, not flush. how easy depends on the vehicle, our ford flex even has a dipstick, so easy

If you drain and fill JATCO CVT’s regularly from when they are new, it does prolong the life of the transmission. Yes they are still weaker than regular auto transmissions but it helps a lot. I’m at 100k on 2015 Rogue and it shifts like the day it was bought. I drain and fill with ns3 fluid every 30k.

I did my first transmission service on a ZF trans from a 2000 BMW E539 at 105000 miles. Worst thing i ever did. It never shifted the same again. Used correct spec parts and ZF fluids. Not that it happens often but it did for me. Even knowing that though I change out ZF trans fluids on my Jaguar XKs knowing that the odds are with me. Just wanted to bring up an example of how things can go wrong trying to do the right thing.

Question.
If you are going to do a fluid flush on a transmission with a filter, do you change the filter first or the fluid?

This machine seems to be quick&easy process requiring only minimum labor. However, how can you say the tranny was "properly serviced" without removing the pan, doing visual inspection and mainly, replacing the filter??

Maybe not diabolical but certainly using marketing that does not benefit the customer. A flush is not a repair. When transmissions start acting up that is when car owners start thinking about a flush. It's too late at that point.

Is there a reputable company that does the transmission flush?

How do you feel about performing a half-flush service? If the fluid is black and burnt and you replace almost half of it with new and keep the other half old wouldn’t that in theory help protect the transmission and keeping the old fluid to help it shift and remain working?

I'd like to see you do a video on BG products. I keep hearing that they are more than worth their cost. How do you really feel about them?