I have 360,000 miles on a Turbo 350, that has never been touched except for fluid and filter changes. I did do 6 ounces of Auto-Rx in the transmission at 346,000 miles and now the transmission shifts better now than before Auto-Rx in there.
Blackstone says AT Should Outlive Chassis
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I think one of the biggest problems with new and semi-new transmissions is the manufacturer trying to make the shifts too soft. People today are so "soft" themselves that they don't want to feel a positive clutch engagement so we slip them a little extra to get a soft shift and they wear out twice as quick.
My TL over the course of a couple weeks starts to shift softer than I like, probably because it learns my driving style which is very non-aggressive. I reset the ECM every couple weeks and it shifts so much better for a while. I remember some of the FWD Fords of the 90s shifted so sloppy off the showroom floor that if I didn't know any better I would think the transmission was on it's last leg.
IMO, nothing beats an old fashioned vacuum modulated THM 400 for reliability.
My TL over the course of a couple weeks starts to shift softer than I like, probably because it learns my driving style which is very non-aggressive. I reset the ECM every couple weeks and it shifts so much better for a while. I remember some of the FWD Fords of the 90s shifted so sloppy off the showroom floor that if I didn't know any better I would think the transmission was on it's last leg.
IMO, nothing beats an old fashioned vacuum modulated THM 400 for reliability.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I think Toyota sets the bar for ATs. People seem to beat them and still get over 200K.
The local Toyota dealer here replaces Sienna transmissions on a regular basis - mostly on ex-Hertz/Enterprise LEs.
I think Toyota sets the bar for ATs. People seem to beat them and still get over 200K.
The local Toyota dealer here replaces Sienna transmissions on a regular basis - mostly on ex-Hertz/Enterprise LEs.
Originally Posted By: nthach
I have a A341E - the Lexus version of the A340E with lock-up control with 222K that's still working great. I change the ATF every 2nd oil change, with genuine Toyota ATF which isn't much more than MLATF.
The A340 series is one of the finest transmissions ever made. The one in my LS400 works smoothly with 248,000 miles.
I have a A341E - the Lexus version of the A340E with lock-up control with 222K that's still working great. I change the ATF every 2nd oil change, with genuine Toyota ATF which isn't much more than MLATF.
The A340 series is one of the finest transmissions ever made. The one in my LS400 works smoothly with 248,000 miles.
Jeep Cherokee 1999 AW-4 with 251,000km ,yearly drain & fill shifts like new!
Might not wear out but parts usually break.
Any one with info on how the new 6 speed transmission co-developed by Ford and GM is faring? I know they put them in the new Taurus, can't remember what else they are using them in.
I've got a feeling these units might have a lot of lessons learned applied to them and will end up being very durable.
I've got a feeling these units might have a lot of lessons learned applied to them and will end up being very durable.
Old blue went on her own power to the gurney (flatbed wrecker), going to the bone yard.
With 274000 faithful miles on her I was crying (really I mean it) big tears now as then even as I write this.
She protected my wife through a head-on collision with a Buick Century, she was repaired...then 200k more miles were accumulated.
The transmission fluid and filter was changed...once. Pan drop style in our driveway.
'93 Cavalier... it went to it's rest because it was worn out all over.
The transmission still worked, but not at full efficiency.
Best car I ever owned.
A high water mark as far as I am concerned.
Rickey.
With 274000 faithful miles on her I was crying (really I mean it) big tears now as then even as I write this.
She protected my wife through a head-on collision with a Buick Century, she was repaired...then 200k more miles were accumulated.
The transmission fluid and filter was changed...once. Pan drop style in our driveway.
'93 Cavalier... it went to it's rest because it was worn out all over.
The transmission still worked, but not at full efficiency.
Best car I ever owned.
A high water mark as far as I am concerned.
Rickey.
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I'm pushing 186k original miles on my '97 Isuzu Rodeo, automatic with oversized tires and extra accessories, shifts flawlessly, never opened up other then regular every 15k mile drain/refill, and gets a new filter every 30-40k miles.
FWIW - this truck is VERY gently driven, but has seen it's fair share of towing heavy loads, off-roading, etc.
Also, our Dodge diesel automatic with only 90k miles, keeps overheating every time we back in our 5th wheel trailer into our yard....don't know why.
FWIW - this truck is VERY gently driven, but has seen it's fair share of towing heavy loads, off-roading, etc.
Also, our Dodge diesel automatic with only 90k miles, keeps overheating every time we back in our 5th wheel trailer into our yard....don't know why.
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IMO, lack of maintenance can doom an auto transmission but I think the design and operating conditions have the greatest effect. Some designs are better and some people get lucky due to their operating conditions and maintenance habits. I had a 1995 Taurus with the infamous AX4N transaxle that was religiously serviced every 30K miles and it experienced a internal failure at 80K miles. Our 2002 Impala with the 4T65 transaxle was somewhat better and lasted until 86K miles until it began having a delayed 1-2 shift. It was serviced on GM's severe schedule at 50K miles. I will be servicing the Jasper replacement unit more frequently and running Dexron VI and hope and pray it lasts a long time.
Originally Posted By: Sylvatica
Honda has certainly proven that they are the masters of producing transmissions which consistently defy the general rule that maintenance will extend service life.
The Odyssey/Pilot 4-speed and 5-speed transmissions are so bad that one recall covered over 1,200,000 units, the next recall 600,000. That means bad design and bad engineering, even if the assemblers in Ohio did everything "right". That means UNTESTED by the manufacturer. That means they sent those trans units to production and into the garages of consumers without doing their jobs. They turned the buyer into the beta test.
My friend went through FOUR transmissions on his 2001 Odyssey. The oil jet bandaid recall did nothing to extend the life of the first "fix" and he has been plagued with gear failures and lock-ups, one happening to his wife, with baby in car, in middle of bad intersection. They bought their van, btw, with the gushing endorsement of Consumer Reports, who still shows no transmission problems for these vehicles in their ratings.
If the cluctch systems actually last long enough on these Honda trans, then they will just suffer gear failure. No uber-lubricant can forestall it, even if you changed it daily. Under-design, under-specification and light construction equals failure in a transmission. A prudent level of over-design (or at least a sufficiently specified level of engineering) combined with proper maintenance, can make for a 100,000+ mi transmission service life. And there are big Allison automatics in heavy construction equipment that can take stresses that you can't even imagine. But when you glue a weak transmission to a car/van/SUV platform, prepare for disaster.
Honda does make a fine engine, no question about it. But if your Honda trans is holding up, you are fortunate.
I HAD an Acura TL with the substandard trans., it failed and was replaced at ~90k.
I agree with most of what you say here but your Consumer Reports comment is just plain wrong. The trans. has a big solid black circle (worst rating) on the reliability chart and the one paragraph model summary says "Transmission problems were evident during 1998 to 2003 model years."
Honda has certainly proven that they are the masters of producing transmissions which consistently defy the general rule that maintenance will extend service life.
The Odyssey/Pilot 4-speed and 5-speed transmissions are so bad that one recall covered over 1,200,000 units, the next recall 600,000. That means bad design and bad engineering, even if the assemblers in Ohio did everything "right". That means UNTESTED by the manufacturer. That means they sent those trans units to production and into the garages of consumers without doing their jobs. They turned the buyer into the beta test.
My friend went through FOUR transmissions on his 2001 Odyssey. The oil jet bandaid recall did nothing to extend the life of the first "fix" and he has been plagued with gear failures and lock-ups, one happening to his wife, with baby in car, in middle of bad intersection. They bought their van, btw, with the gushing endorsement of Consumer Reports, who still shows no transmission problems for these vehicles in their ratings.
If the cluctch systems actually last long enough on these Honda trans, then they will just suffer gear failure. No uber-lubricant can forestall it, even if you changed it daily. Under-design, under-specification and light construction equals failure in a transmission. A prudent level of over-design (or at least a sufficiently specified level of engineering) combined with proper maintenance, can make for a 100,000+ mi transmission service life. And there are big Allison automatics in heavy construction equipment that can take stresses that you can't even imagine. But when you glue a weak transmission to a car/van/SUV platform, prepare for disaster.
Honda does make a fine engine, no question about it. But if your Honda trans is holding up, you are fortunate.
I HAD an Acura TL with the substandard trans., it failed and was replaced at ~90k.
I agree with most of what you say here but your Consumer Reports comment is just plain wrong. The trans. has a big solid black circle (worst rating) on the reliability chart and the one paragraph model summary says "Transmission problems were evident during 1998 to 2003 model years."
Originally Posted By: Greaser
Jeep Cherokee 1999 AW-4 with 251,000km ,yearly drain & fill shifts like new!
My wife's '97 had over 200,000 miles and was still shifting great, My guess is that it was still on the original fluid
Her current car is getting regular maintenance!
Jeep Cherokee 1999 AW-4 with 251,000km ,yearly drain & fill shifts like new!
My wife's '97 had over 200,000 miles and was still shifting great, My guess is that it was still on the original fluid
WHOA!! Honda SUCKS at making automatic transmissions. [censored], the Honda Civic is the 4th or 5th worst car in the USA, due to the automatic transmission failing.
If I had to name the only good automatics ever made, it'd be the C6, E4OD, 4R70W, and TH400.
Oh yeah, the worst ever made would be the 4L60E/700R4. Jesus... glad they FINALLY let that die. They keep transmission shops in business.
If I had to name the only good automatics ever made, it'd be the C6, E4OD, 4R70W, and TH400.
Oh yeah, the worst ever made would be the 4L60E/700R4. Jesus... glad they FINALLY let that die. They keep transmission shops in business.
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I wouldn't put the 700R-4 in the worst category. Most of the failures I saw were from improperly adjusted TV cables or the early "E" versions where the electronics were mostly to blame for insufficient line pressure. Definately not the best either.
You could argue the E4OD belongs there because of the cooler plugging issues but it's actually a great trans.
You could argue the E4OD belongs there because of the cooler plugging issues but it's actually a great trans.
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I have a 700R4 in a 91 caprice behind a 305. Was serviced first time at 130,000 miles when I "inherited" it, I flushed it out completely with regular cheap Dex III and changed the filter. We then took it on a trip to Indiana. When we returned, I flushed that fluid out completely with universal Amsoil ATF and added a large Long 3/4" depth aux ATF cooler. With no additional service since then, then mileage is now near 260,000 and unit still shifts great, lock-up is ok, etc. The fluid looks and smells like the day it was poured in. I added an inline filter recently to clean up the fluid (remove wear particles) because I just can't see myself getting rid of this good fluid. I certainly have not babied it-towing in the mountains, etc.
I can not stress the importance of additional cooling to add life to automatic transmissions. Yet, even when you do all the right things, you cannot overcome poor design and poor quality parts that they build these with sometimes. We had one work van, a 96 E350 with an E40D behind a 460 that had all of the above treatment and one of the main shaft splines just gave out on the road one day and had to get towed where it died(70k miles). So you just do the best you can and sometimes it works out, sometimes not.
I can not stress the importance of additional cooling to add life to automatic transmissions. Yet, even when you do all the right things, you cannot overcome poor design and poor quality parts that they build these with sometimes. We had one work van, a 96 E350 with an E40D behind a 460 that had all of the above treatment and one of the main shaft splines just gave out on the road one day and had to get towed where it died(70k miles). So you just do the best you can and sometimes it works out, sometimes not.
I've had some really good luck with 1980's GM O/D transmissions. My 1984 Cutlass has the stock 2004R transmission out of my old rusted out 1987 Cutlass that got parted out. I bought it at just under 120k miles, the previous owner pulled a 3500lb boat with it sometimes but obviously took care of it cause the fluid looked good still. When I got it, it had an intermittent lockup problem and a clogged rad so it was running hot and overheating the fluid, sometimes making reverse not work right away, after a hot soak. After I changed the fluid and put a big auxiliary trans cooler on it, the problem almost disappeared. I also changed the fluid at least every 30k after that and eventually upgraded it to Motorcraft Mercon 5 (i worked at a Ford dealer). I now have well over 200k on the transmission, with some real aggressive driving and some drag racing and it's still holding up perfect. One thing that helped though was soon after I got it, after doing some research I adjusted the tv cable to give it higher line pressure and slightly firmer shifts to reduce clutch slippage. Now it shifts nice and firm every shift even with all the miles on it. I have over 20k on the last fill of Mercon 5 and it looks brand new.
Originally Posted By: Jaymus
Oh yeah, the worst ever made would be the 4L60E/700R4. Jesus... glad they FINALLY let that die. They keep transmission shops in business.
I have seen plenty of them reach 200K with no issues, I don't think they as bad as you make them out to be. My camaro has made over 100 12 second passes at the drag strip with a junk-yard 700R4 from an S10, the only upgrades are a B&M shift kit.
Oh yeah, the worst ever made would be the 4L60E/700R4. Jesus... glad they FINALLY let that die. They keep transmission shops in business.
I have seen plenty of them reach 200K with no issues, I don't think they as bad as you make them out to be. My camaro has made over 100 12 second passes at the drag strip with a junk-yard 700R4 from an S10, the only upgrades are a B&M shift kit.
Ask some of the people at the various GM forums (like for Trailblazers) about the reliability of the 4L60E. 2002 and 2003 models often broke the sun shell at fairly low mileage.
GM de-tuned the engines to try to help prolong the life of the transmissions. I have a 05 Trailblazer with a 4.2 Liter I6 - 275 hp. I bought it new. Off the line I've had kids on 10 speed bikes and mopeds fly past me! (Maybe slight exageration)
Chevy said it is because of the "torque management". Basically they cut the power in 1st and 2nd gear to "save the drivetrain".
On the other hand, one of my other vehicles is a 95 Ford van with the A4LD. Many bad mouth this transmission, but it is now over 200K miles and I've never had a problem with it. I change the fluid and filter every 2 years or 30K miles (whichever comes first).
Frankly I think Blackstone's statement is nuts - it may be true in SOME cases but definitely not ALL!
GM de-tuned the engines to try to help prolong the life of the transmissions. I have a 05 Trailblazer with a 4.2 Liter I6 - 275 hp. I bought it new. Off the line I've had kids on 10 speed bikes and mopeds fly past me! (Maybe slight exageration)
Chevy said it is because of the "torque management". Basically they cut the power in 1st and 2nd gear to "save the drivetrain".
On the other hand, one of my other vehicles is a 95 Ford van with the A4LD. Many bad mouth this transmission, but it is now over 200K miles and I've never had a problem with it. I change the fluid and filter every 2 years or 30K miles (whichever comes first).
Frankly I think Blackstone's statement is nuts - it may be true in SOME cases but definitely not ALL!
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I got 112,000 miles out of a A4LD in a 1990 Aerostar. Something broke and spat out a pile of metal, clogged the filter and generally starved the transmission of fluid so until it got hot, it would not shift out of second gear.
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