Filter or Flush?

[daves87rs]

Quick stats: 2003 Cavalier, 50k, 75% city/25% freeway


Ok, I've been getting quotes on my fluid changes for the wife's Cavvy. I found this interesting:

One place said I should just change the trans fluid.

Other place said I should change the filter too. (same place said I should replace my dexcool with G5.)


Which one would you do?

 

[daves87rs]

I should also add that they are both pretty good shops...

 

[The Critic]

I prefer flushing. On my dad's van, I did drain and refills and it did not improve the shift quality. After flushing the transmission last week, the shift quality improved significantly.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

When flushing If it's under 60k I don't drop the pan. If it's over 60 then I drop the pan and replace( in my case clean Toyota) the filter.

 

[unDummy]

If you're on the original dexcool, you're overdue for a change. Whether you use dexcool or G05 is your choice.

At your mileage, I wouldn't worry about the filter. I usually don't touch the pan until 100k.

Get an ATF exchange with a quality fluid and don't use any flush chemicals or additives.

 

[StevieC]

Those transmission are usually pretty good, I would just change the fluid/filter and repeat in 30K miles.

As for the Dexcool stuff. If it were my vehicle I would be draining that $!#@ out and changing to the "Green" stuff.

I would then drain/refill the radiator every 1-2 years (depending on mileage).

Also now is a good time to change your PCV if you haven't already.

Check the plugs/wires/air filter too.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Those transmission are usually pretty good, I would just change the fluid/filter and repeat in 30K miles.

As for the Dexcool stuff. If it were my vehicle I would be draining that $!#@ out and changing to the "Green" stuff.

I would then drain/refill the radiator every 1-2 years (depending on mileage).

Also now is a good time to change your PCV if you haven't already.

Check the plugs/wires/air filter too.





Kind of what I was thinking....I'm not too worried whether it's dex or G05, as either should be fine.


I'm kinda leaning toward just a flush myself, as the trans seems to be holding up fine. I like the idea of the 30k(she puts 9-12k a year of it)


I'd agree with the PCV.....

 

[Loobed]

A friend of mine who is a mechanic told me I should change my filter every 30K miles. That is easy for him to say because he has a rack and makes money from doing filter changes. From what I have seen in my transmission, I think I could go up to 75K before changing the filter. The only problem is I can't wait that long and if I have access to a rack I will do it every 30K. I think it's like my engine oil. I run synthetic and know I can run it longer, but I can't.

P.S. I do not flog my transmission.

 

[hounddog]

Do a fliud exchange and the NEXT 30k do a filter and top off.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Loobed


A friend of mine who is a mechanic told me I should change my filter every 30K miles. That is easy for him to say because he has a rack and makes money from doing filter changes. From what I have seen in my transmission, I think I could go up to 75K before changing the filter. The only problem is I can't wait that long and if I have access to a rack I will do it every 30K. I think it's like my engine oil. I run synthetic and know I can run it longer, but I can't.

P.S. I do not flog my transmission.



Every 30k?

 

[Paul2007]

Pull the transmission dip-stick and see what the fluid looks like. Use a white rag with a spot of new ATF to compare what you wipe off the stick. Smell it too. If it's a browner shade of red, or smells like something was burned or toasted, drop the pan. From what I read on TDI forums, if you have a gunked up transmission and you give it fresh fluid, you MAY loosen the gunk up to plug the filter, starving the transmission for oil. I think every 40-60K miles is often enough for a filter and oil change.