Automatic Transmission Fluid Change Question

[versaguy]

Hey guys, i bought a 2001 Chevy Prizm with 83K miles about 3 months ago. Whoever owned it before I did, didnt take good care of it. I immediately changed the oil, and the auto transmission fluid looked a bit grimy to me, so I replaced that. I didnt however change the transmission fluid filter, which in retrospect was a bit careless on my part. I was wondering, when is the recommended time/mileage to change the transmission filter?
Thanks for you help!

 

[sambojoho]

I would suggest dropping the pan and changing the filter every 30k miles. Probably just as important as the filter is cleaning the clutch material from the bottom of the pan and the magnets.

 

[stxonall8]

if your fluid was real dirty I'd just drop the pan and change next time you change the oil that way you will get more fresh fluid in there in the process. If it makes you feel better I've hearing on this site that alot of transmission filters are screen style and dont really hold much depends on the car though. Also i personally dont go by what the manufactuer says for transmission mantainence I bought my truck in my signature new and have the pan dropped and filter changed every 15000 miles or so, dont do it myself because transmissions scare me, but I always get a warm fuzzy feeling that lasts about a year when they tell me everything looked good when they took the pan off.

 

[cousincletus]

I change my fluid and filter every 25-30K. I agree w/the others. Do the filter next time. Maybe at 100K. Most cars don't even get the maintenance that you did. The fluid eventually breaks down over time and mileage.

 

[Spector]

I do a drain and fill around every 30,000 not the filter, 100,000 if at all. My experience with filters is that if you change the coolant every 30,000 or so the filter doesn't do much, just my experience

 

[ZZman]

The manual probably specifies every 30,000 miles. I wouldn't go more than 50,000 tops.

I like every 30,000 myself.

 

[Donald]

Change your current filter, then add a Magnefine and forget about ever changing the internal filter again. The Magnefine filter is less than $20 and a 5 minute no hassle install or change (assuming rubber cooler lines).

 

[Kestas]

Is the filter a media filter or just a fine screen? You don't need to change it if it's a metal screen.

 

[Papa Bear]

+1

 

[AzFireGuy79]

I prefer performing a cooler line flush/exchange (no chemicals added) every 30K. I don't really care for drain and fills because its easy to get lazy and forget unless you do it like every other oil change or have a strict PM schedule.

Here is a little compromise. DO a flush now. Add a Magnefine. Decide on a PM schedule that you know you will stick to for drain and fills. Life is Good!

 

[H2GURU]

This car has a screen so don't bother. Run the change you just did for several months, then change out 4 QTS. again, and then just do it annually. It's the best $25 you'll ever spend. Fluid s/b red and DEXRON-III. Aisan products are well made and usually last the life of vehicle, unlike a lot of other products.

 

[crinkles]

my U241E transmission on my camry shows a lot of black dust presumably from the clutches, on the dipstick when i check the level. would a magnefine filter media get this dust (not the magnet because it will not be magnetic)? does t his dust have a function in the fluid ( i doubt it). is the removal of this "dust" good for the transmission?

 

[CivicFan]

The transmission in my Z4 is a lifetime fluid.

A quart costs $65

Given this knowledge, even though it freaks me out each time I think of it, I wouldn't worry about the filter in your car.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
my U241E transmission on my camry shows a lot of black dust presumably from the clutches, on the dipstick when i check the level. would a magnefine filter media get this dust (not the magnet because it will not be magnetic)? does t his dust have a function in the fluid ( i doubt it). is the removal of this "dust" good for the transmission?


The Magnefine has 30 micron rated filter media. I suspect the filter media will get a good deal of it.

You can install a Magnefine and do a used oil analysis say 1000 miles latter.