My Dads 1994 Chevy Suburban has 323,000 miles and it's still going strong with no repairs at all to the trans.
Automatic Transmission Mileage Life
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Originally Posted By: BobsArmory
My Dads 1994 Chevy Suburban has 323,000 miles and it's still going strong with no repairs at all to the trans.
Can he still afford the gas? I had a 1993 and it was a killer on gas.
My Dads 1994 Chevy Suburban has 323,000 miles and it's still going strong with no repairs at all to the trans.
Can he still afford the gas? I had a 1993 and it was a killer on gas.
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
I gave away my 92 Corsica in 2005 to my FIL (sold it for $100 actually). At the time it had around 190k miles and no tranny work was done. The only fluid change that I can remember was done after I noticed one day that the transmission was shifting "funny". When I pulled the dipstick, the fluid was brown and smelled burnt. That was at about 150k miles.
That weekend my dad and I dropped the pand and changed the filter along with few quarts of ATF. The transmission was shifting fine all the way to the scrap yard at about 200k.
I wouldn't dare to do something similar with a modern transmission, but those old 3 speed slushboxes sure could take a lot of beating.
That weekend my dad and I dropped the pand and changed the filter along with few quarts of ATF. The transmission was shifting fine all the way to the scrap yard at about 200k.
I wouldn't dare to do something similar with a modern transmission, but those old 3 speed slushboxes sure could take a lot of beating.
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Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
And certain folks in the rust belt complain about yearly state inspections. The main goal in my state is rust inspection.
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
And certain folks in the rust belt complain about yearly state inspections. The main goal in my state is rust inspection.
Never a failure in any vehicle ever. Most kept to 100k (except 60k lease cars) until the last decade and now keep them to 150-200k. Flush every 30-50k with factory ATF.
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Originally Posted By: raffy
Originally Posted By: Trav
Yes some do make it a long time. I replaced 3 of them on Odyssey vans this vintage, the Maxlife s very good fluid but i prefer it in GM and older Toyota units.
The Honda units running Amsoils ATF have been good, this fluid seems to work very well in these Odyssey units, so far zero failures.
It was the ones running Honda OEM ATF at the customers insistence that had multiple failures.
Before the OEM fan boys jump on me this is an observation of real transmissions running every day not a bash. Just something to think about.
Interesting! So do you flush out the old fluid and replace with Amsoil ATF or do you drain and fill and leave some of the old fluid in there? How compatible is a mix of Amsoil and other ATF? I'm definitely a fan of Amsoil products and have used their motor oil for about 25 years now, but have not tried their ATF, mainly because of fear of mixing two different fluids. Any recommendations on how to take care of that?
With no filter that can be changed without dismantling the unit i just do a line off fluid exchange.
Its very simple just remove the return line from the radiator and put a hose in a gallon jug.
Start the engine and run it till air bubbles appear then put in what you got out. Repeat until the fluid comes out is the same color as the new stuff going in.
Amsoil ATF is very RED so its easy to tell.
Don t worry about compatibility Amsoil is compatible will other fluids. IMHO you cant find a better ATF for these units.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Yes some do make it a long time. I replaced 3 of them on Odyssey vans this vintage, the Maxlife s very good fluid but i prefer it in GM and older Toyota units.
The Honda units running Amsoils ATF have been good, this fluid seems to work very well in these Odyssey units, so far zero failures.
It was the ones running Honda OEM ATF at the customers insistence that had multiple failures.
Before the OEM fan boys jump on me this is an observation of real transmissions running every day not a bash. Just something to think about.
Interesting! So do you flush out the old fluid and replace with Amsoil ATF or do you drain and fill and leave some of the old fluid in there? How compatible is a mix of Amsoil and other ATF? I'm definitely a fan of Amsoil products and have used their motor oil for about 25 years now, but have not tried their ATF, mainly because of fear of mixing two different fluids. Any recommendations on how to take care of that?
With no filter that can be changed without dismantling the unit i just do a line off fluid exchange.
Its very simple just remove the return line from the radiator and put a hose in a gallon jug.
Start the engine and run it till air bubbles appear then put in what you got out. Repeat until the fluid comes out is the same color as the new stuff going in.
Amsoil ATF is very RED so its easy to tell.
Don t worry about compatibility Amsoil is compatible will other fluids. IMHO you cant find a better ATF for these units.
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
And certain folks in the rust belt complain about yearly state inspections. The main goal in my state is rust inspection.
The missing frame was hidden by plastic rocker panel covers. As far as anyone was concerned, the car was PERFECT. It wasn't until the rocker panels fell off that i noticed the frame was ... gone.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Originally Posted By: Miller88
My Taurus had 75K on it when it rusted in half.
I'd love to see pictures of that!
Unfortunately, I never got pictures. But the unibody "frame" structure was GONE under the B pillar area of the car. The doors wouldn't work unless the car was perfectly flat. If I parked with the left front wheel on a rock or a curb, I would have to body check the door to get it to open. As soon as it would open, you could feel the car flex and the door wouldn't line up until the car was flat again.
And certain folks in the rust belt complain about yearly state inspections. The main goal in my state is rust inspection.
The missing frame was hidden by plastic rocker panel covers. As far as anyone was concerned, the car was PERFECT. It wasn't until the rocker panels fell off that i noticed the frame was ... gone.
I forgot about this until I posted this link in another thread. This guy got 1.2 million miles out of the original transmission in his 97 Ford Van.
http://www.millionmilevan.com/
Quote:
The million mile transmission finally called it quits on June 9, 2010 in Chicago. Reverse gear went totally out and drive gear would slip over 45-50mph. I was able to slowly limp it home 250 miles from Chicago to Toledo at 40-45mph. It went 1,211,650 miles before losing reverse gear. 1,211,950 miles to make it back home to be rebuilt.
http://www.millionmilevan.com/
Quote:
The million mile transmission finally called it quits on June 9, 2010 in Chicago. Reverse gear went totally out and drive gear would slip over 45-50mph. I was able to slowly limp it home 250 miles from Chicago to Toledo at 40-45mph. It went 1,211,650 miles before losing reverse gear. 1,211,950 miles to make it back home to be rebuilt.
Here is what I can remember:
The Ugly:
1979 Ford LTD: In its relentless pursuit to continually remind me what a flaming POS it really was, dropped its reverse gears at 61K. Got that fixed (I was in college and Dad decided (and paid) to repair the reverse.) Two weeks later, the whole transmission went.
1993 Chrysler 5th Avenue: Transmission went at 66K on my wife right in front of the Chrysler dealership. Had the 7/70 on it and three tries later, was not shifting right. Unloaded it quick.
1994 Chrysler Lebaron Convertible: Same quality transmission imploded at the bottom of a freeway ramp at 80K. Put a used one in and unloaded that puppy.
Good One:
2000 Ford Taurus: Original transmission. Shifted like new @ 275K when I sold it. See the new owner everyday, he says it is still shifting great. Pan drops yearly at 35K is all it took.
The Ugly:
1979 Ford LTD: In its relentless pursuit to continually remind me what a flaming POS it really was, dropped its reverse gears at 61K. Got that fixed (I was in college and Dad decided (and paid) to repair the reverse.) Two weeks later, the whole transmission went.
1993 Chrysler 5th Avenue: Transmission went at 66K on my wife right in front of the Chrysler dealership. Had the 7/70 on it and three tries later, was not shifting right. Unloaded it quick.
1994 Chrysler Lebaron Convertible: Same quality transmission imploded at the bottom of a freeway ramp at 80K. Put a used one in and unloaded that puppy.
Good One:
2000 Ford Taurus: Original transmission. Shifted like new @ 275K when I sold it. See the new owner everyday, he says it is still shifting great. Pan drops yearly at 35K is all it took.
I've only had one vehicle with an automatic transmission fail to the point of loss of mobility-a 1976 Chevy pickup and it failed within warranty (twice). I have had a couple with some minor issues back in the 1960's (delay shifting into reverse when cold, etc), but other than that I've had them go well into the 200,000-250,000 range when they were sold-without an issue.
Most of my trannies were good, the bad are below
'86 Toyota LE Van - tranny lasted less than 80K with dealer tranny fluid changes at 30 and 60K. Rebuild (mr. transmission) never worked - rebuilt mutliple times before trading it around 100K - wouldn't shift out of first until hot, then slammed 2nd. I used to run it up in first, go to neutral to let RPM drop, then put it into 2. Much smoother. Also had O/D Solenoid failure while under warranty. Knowing what I know now, I suspect the dealer did not practice cleanliness. Probably would have lasted forever if it had never been touched.
87 Aerostar tranny failure under warranty, then again - rebuilt by AAMco w/ lifetime warranty - became a regular customer.
'91 Chevy 2500 conversion van, multiple trannies under warranty, outside of warranty a shop put in a 'heavier duty, bigger' transmission that lasted for at least 200K that I know of.
'04 Audi A4, 12K miles - replaced under warranty - still going strong when sold at 64K
I prefer manuals, have never worn out a clutch or broken a manual tranny.
'86 Toyota LE Van - tranny lasted less than 80K with dealer tranny fluid changes at 30 and 60K. Rebuild (mr. transmission) never worked - rebuilt mutliple times before trading it around 100K - wouldn't shift out of first until hot, then slammed 2nd. I used to run it up in first, go to neutral to let RPM drop, then put it into 2. Much smoother. Also had O/D Solenoid failure while under warranty. Knowing what I know now, I suspect the dealer did not practice cleanliness. Probably would have lasted forever if it had never been touched.
87 Aerostar tranny failure under warranty, then again - rebuilt by AAMco w/ lifetime warranty - became a regular customer.
'91 Chevy 2500 conversion van, multiple trannies under warranty, outside of warranty a shop put in a 'heavier duty, bigger' transmission that lasted for at least 200K that I know of.
'04 Audi A4, 12K miles - replaced under warranty - still going strong when sold at 64K
I prefer manuals, have never worn out a clutch or broken a manual tranny.
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ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
Lets see...
Had a 2001 GTP, lost the tranny at the track. 190,000. Shift kit, tune, smaller supercharger pulley, exhuast, and headers. Fluid and filter changes every 30,000 miles.
1991 S-10, when I sold it, it had 270,000 miles. Was the original 700R4 with an aux cooler.
1991 Corvette. I killed it at 120,000. It just had a rough life. Lots of 1/4 mile passes, no aftermarket cooler, 1 flush.
1989 GMC 1 ton TH400 non lock up converter, they make a lot of heat. 180,000 miles, 90 percent towing. Original tranny still going with a buddy. 30,000 mile pan drops and filter changes.
02 Jetta TDI. 2 automatic transmissions in the first 80,000 miles. That car hated me.
All the other cars have been fine. Normal fluid changes and normal lifes. I was pro-active on the Buick and had the transmission built the way I wanted it for the mods I have installed.
I have killed a T56 at the track and racing is tough on a clutch.
If you get lots of miles on clutch you are not making enough power to kill it.
Had a 2001 GTP, lost the tranny at the track. 190,000. Shift kit, tune, smaller supercharger pulley, exhuast, and headers. Fluid and filter changes every 30,000 miles.
1991 S-10, when I sold it, it had 270,000 miles. Was the original 700R4 with an aux cooler.
1991 Corvette. I killed it at 120,000. It just had a rough life. Lots of 1/4 mile passes, no aftermarket cooler, 1 flush.
1989 GMC 1 ton TH400 non lock up converter, they make a lot of heat. 180,000 miles, 90 percent towing. Original tranny still going with a buddy. 30,000 mile pan drops and filter changes.
02 Jetta TDI. 2 automatic transmissions in the first 80,000 miles. That car hated me.
All the other cars have been fine. Normal fluid changes and normal lifes. I was pro-active on the Buick and had the transmission built the way I wanted it for the mods I have installed.
I have killed a T56 at the track and racing is tough on a clutch.
If you get lots of miles on clutch you are not making enough power to kill it.
I may not have a tranny failure and you may not have a tranny failure but, there certainly are many more automatic trannys failing these days and it's happening too often IMHO! Even on trannys that have ATF changes waaaaaay more than needed and the draining ATF is still cheery red while doing so.
Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
Most of my trannies were good, the bad are below
'86 Toyota LE Van - tranny lasted less than 80K with dealer tranny fluid changes at 30 and 60K. Rebuild (mr. transmission) never worked - rebuilt mutliple times before trading it around 100K - wouldn't shift out of first until hot, then slammed 2nd. I used to run it up in first, go to neutral to let RPM drop, then put it into 2. Much smoother. Also had O/D Solenoid failure while under warranty. Knowing what I know now, I suspect the dealer did not practice cleanliness. Probably would have lasted forever if it had never been touched.
87 Aerostar tranny failure under warranty, then again - rebuilt by AAMco w/ lifetime warranty - became a regular customer.
'91 Chevy 2500 conversion van, multiple trannies under warranty, outside of warranty a shop put in a 'heavier duty, bigger' transmission that lasted for at least 200K that I know of.
'04 Audi A4, 12K miles - replaced under warranty - still going strong when sold at 64K
I prefer manuals, have never worn out a clutch or broken a manual tranny.
Dang only 12k miles??
Most of my trannies were good, the bad are below
'86 Toyota LE Van - tranny lasted less than 80K with dealer tranny fluid changes at 30 and 60K. Rebuild (mr. transmission) never worked - rebuilt mutliple times before trading it around 100K - wouldn't shift out of first until hot, then slammed 2nd. I used to run it up in first, go to neutral to let RPM drop, then put it into 2. Much smoother. Also had O/D Solenoid failure while under warranty. Knowing what I know now, I suspect the dealer did not practice cleanliness. Probably would have lasted forever if it had never been touched.
87 Aerostar tranny failure under warranty, then again - rebuilt by AAMco w/ lifetime warranty - became a regular customer.
'91 Chevy 2500 conversion van, multiple trannies under warranty, outside of warranty a shop put in a 'heavier duty, bigger' transmission that lasted for at least 200K that I know of.
'04 Audi A4, 12K miles - replaced under warranty - still going strong when sold at 64K
I prefer manuals, have never worn out a clutch or broken a manual tranny.
Dang only 12k miles??
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I may not have a tranny failure and you may not have a tranny failure but, there certainly are many more automatic trannys failing these days and it's happening too often IMHO! Even on trannys that have ATF changes waaaaaay more than needed and the draining ATF is still cheery red while doing so.
Yes, I have noted this also in recent years. It seems that some are failing earlier than they should; my in-laws have an '02 Mazda MPV whose 5-speed overdrive auto tranny failed at 111K miles, and it had been properly maintained with regular drain and fills. It will be interesting to see how the new 7 and 8 speeed automatics hold up over time.
I may not have a tranny failure and you may not have a tranny failure but, there certainly are many more automatic trannys failing these days and it's happening too often IMHO! Even on trannys that have ATF changes waaaaaay more than needed and the draining ATF is still cheery red while doing so.
Yes, I have noted this also in recent years. It seems that some are failing earlier than they should; my in-laws have an '02 Mazda MPV whose 5-speed overdrive auto tranny failed at 111K miles, and it had been properly maintained with regular drain and fills. It will be interesting to see how the new 7 and 8 speeed automatics hold up over time.
Our experience runs counter to many in this thread, but we are all about fleet trucks. Our GM products have steadily improved over the years in transmission life expectancy.
Even our very heavy one ton units last the life of the engine these days with irregular servicing.
I would expect the ZF 8 speed to hold up well as RR, BMW, Bentley, and many others use it in all kinds of vehicles.
Even our very heavy one ton units last the life of the engine these days with irregular servicing.
I would expect the ZF 8 speed to hold up well as RR, BMW, Bentley, and many others use it in all kinds of vehicles.
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