Atf color.

[Jeepster94]

First time poster. And im going to start off by stating i am an overthinker. And i always play devils advocate.
That said. My wifes 2019 caravan. When we bought it with 100,000 miles i dropped pan, replaced filter and flushed 12q of napa atf+4 through it.
Then again at 150k i did the same thing.
Now the van had 165k on it and the fluid looks like this. Is it normal for atf+4 to get this dark this fast? Am i wasting money wanting the fluid to look brand new?

 

[dnewton3]

Short answer ... Yes - you're overthinking it.

As a generalization, ATF drain/fill fluid changes every 30k-50k miles is sufficient. Color will change on most any fluid with use.

 

[JavierH19]

It's somewhat normal. I'm guessing the trans cooler isn't great. But atf +4 isn't too expensive so I'd do a single spill and fill frequently. No need to do multiple ones unless you want to.

Does that trans pan have a drain bolt? if not I'd try to find an after market one with a drain bolt so you're not having to drop the pan every time. I believe that transmission can be filled from the top if a plug is removed but I don't think it has a dip stick but it's not one of those with a fill port on the side where you have to pump fluid in.

Looks like napa has valvoline +4 on sale for $27 a gallon because it's usually around 35.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VAL883587

 

[JTK]

You are not wasting money changing the ATF at the interval you are changing it. It's why that 62TE is still doing it's thing at 165K miles.

 

[Jeepster94]

You are not wasting money changing the ATF at the interval you are changing it. It's why that 62TE is still doing it's thing at 165K miles.

I mean wasting money by doing it again now because its dark

 

[Jeepster94]

It's somewhat normal. I'm guessing the trans cooler isn't great. But atf +4 isn't too expensive so I'd do a single spill and fill frequently. No need to do multiple ones unless you want to.

Does that trans pan have a drain bolt? if not I'd try to find an after market one with a drain bolt so you're not having to drop the pan every time. I believe that transmission can be filled from the top if a plug is removed but I don't think it has a dip stick but it's not one of those with a fill port on the side where you have to pump fluid in.

Looks like napa has valvoline +4 on sale for $27 a gallon because it's usually around 35.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VAL883587

It does not have a drain bolt. Dorman makes a pan with one though. And thats what ill put on next. Just trying to decide if i should do that now. Or leave it be and worry about it at 200k.

 

[JavierH19]

It does not have a drain bolt. Dorman makes a pan with one though. And thats what ill put on next. Just trying to decide if i should do that now. Or leave it be and worry about it at 200k.

With a drain bolt on the pan and a fill plug on top one spill and fill every year or two isn't much work and does a lot. The filter can go a long time without being changed as they take so long to load up. Change it again one last time if you want and maybe add an extra magnet or two and just do spill and fills for convenience.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The color isn't the problem.

Also, you should get an aftermarket transmission pan with a drain plug,. so changing the ATF will be much easier! Drain it every 15k, and you will have less worry about transmission problems

If you're willing to spend the money, consider Redline C+ which is the best thing to use where ATF+4 is called for.

 

[JTK]

I mean wasting money by doing it again now because its dark

I don't think so. In my mind, the color of your drained/used ATF can be a problem, or it could be meaningless. How are we to know without testing. If it's easy and inexpensive enough to replace and you don't mind doing so, it's only going to do good for the transmission IMO. More good than bad.

 

[Jeepster94]

The color isn't the problem.

Also, you should get an aftermarket transmission pan with a drain plug,. so changing the ATF will be much easier! Drain it every 15k, and you will have less worry about transmission problems

If you're willing to spend the money, consider Redline C+ which is the best thing to use where ATF+4 is called for.

Iv seen many mentions of the C+. But no real long term proof of it even being as good as regular old atf+4.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

It does not have a drain bolt. Dorman makes a pan with one though. And thats what ill put on next. Just trying to decide if i should do that now. Or leave it be and worry about it at 200k.

save yourself the money and buy an oil extractor. That's how I do the wife's T&C...

 

[martinq]

First time poster. And im going to start off by stating i am an overthinker. And i always play devils advocate.
That said. My wifes 2019 caravan. When we bought it with 100,000 miles i dropped pan, replaced filter and flushed 12q of napa atf+4 through it.
Then again at 150k i did the same thing.
Now the van had 165k on it and the fluid looks like this. Is it normal for atf+4 to get this dark this fast? Am i wasting money wanting the fluid to look brand new?

Did you inspect / clean the magnets while you were in there? Do you have an ATF temperature monitor?

Colour is definitely not the most important quality of the fluid but metal / contamination should be kept in check. Try to get a magnetic drain plug as it will give you an indicator of how things are going.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I mean wasting money by doing it again now because its dark

Service that bad boy.

 

[4WD]

It does not have a drain bolt. Dorman makes a pan with one though. And thats what ill put on next. Just trying to decide if i should do that now. Or leave it be and worry about it at 200k.

Once it’s quick and easy to change - ‘decides’ get easy …

 

[crashz]

It looks dark to me. In your previous drains at 100k and 150k, did the fluid look the same? Better or worse? My guess is that you are now servicing it regularly and cleaning out some accumulated junk. I'd replace the pan with one that has a drain, and do regular changes going forward. 15-20K intervals.

 

[dubber09]

Imho, on a properly working transmission that doesn't overheat, about perfect D/F interval is 30-40k miles. 30k miles may be a little early on some and 50k miles may be a little too long on some.
My 2 Kias get ATF D/F every 40k miles or every 10th oil change.

 

[Jeepster94]

save yourself the money and buy an oil extractor. That's how I do the wife's T&C...

Already have one. Can only get 1.5quart out though. Theres a dip stick stopper that prevents the tube from reaching the bottom of the pan.

 

[Jeepster94]

Did you inspect / clean the magnets while you were in there? Do you have an ATF temperature monitor?

Colour is definitely not the most important quality of the fluid but metal / contamination should be kept in check. Try to get a magnetic drain plug as it will give you an indicator of how things are going.

Yea. Pan was very clean and not much of anything on the magnet. Looks like my trucks that only had 50k total miles.

 

[Jeepster94]

It looks dark to me. In your previous drains at 100k and 150k, did the fluid look the same? Better or worse? My guess is that you are now servicing it regularly and cleaning out some accumulated junk. I'd replace the pan with one that has a drain, and do regular changes going forward. 15-20K intervals.

Fluid looked exactly like it does in this bottle both Times i dropped the pan. I just assumed it was dark from going 50k intervals. Thats why im now confused to see its this dark after only 15,000 miles.
Looks like brand new fluid on the dip stick though

 

[meep]

Remember, the change is only 30-40% new fluid, so unless you do 2 or more drain/fills back to back, the old fluid darkens the new - and that’s ok because what you are doing is replenishing the additive pack. And removing 1/3 of the particles too small for the filter to care about.

Me? I’d do it again with the new pan in 3 months and drive on. The fluid does not look bad - it does look like it’s done work but not been abused.