Is a trans flush a good idea at this point?

[rationull]

I've heard in the past that doing an automatic transmission flush can be risky in higher mileage vehicles, but I'm not sure if that's outdated or just incorrect information or if there's a kernel of truth to it. I might have to take our '99 Suburban to a shop for something and am debating whether to take advantage of the visit to get the transmission fluid exchanged, because that's not a job I've really been tempted to do myself.

The catch is that the truck has almost 170k miles on it. We've had it for 4 years and only put about 10k miles on it, and I really don't have a clue as to what transmission fluid intervals it's seen in the past. The fluid isn't in bad shape AFAICT (doesn't smell burnt or anything).

So, worth a try or should I leave well enough alone considering it doesn't get many miles anyway?

 

[wallyuwl]

Don't get a "flush" but get an "exchange". Just old
fluid out, new fluid in. No cleaning chemicals, no high pressure.

You could have the shop do a drain and fill with a new gasket, and put a drain plug in the pan. Then you can do another two drain and fills at home 100 miles apart (easier than changing oil - just have to be sure to put the right type and amount of transmission fluid back in). If you do this be sure to identify what fluid you want used, and have the shop use that type. Then use that same type when you do your drain and fills.

 

[brelandt]

I've used our flush machine on a few cars with more than 100K without any issues what so ever. However, these vehicles have all been less than 10 years old and no more than 120K.
I hear guys tell me not to do these cars, but we make an easy $100 on doing them and the rest of the vehicle is well maintained to start with.
In your case even I wouldn't touch it with doing a flush, but a drain and fill seems to be fine.

 

[Chris B.]

I have used flush machines on many vehicles and never had a single problem. A Honda tech did tell me though that using a flush machine on a Honda under warranty will void the warranty.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Don't get a "flush" but get an "exchange". Just old
fluid out, new fluid in. No cleaning chemicals, no high pressure.

You could have the shop do a drain and fill with a new gasket, and put a drain plug in the pan. Then you can do another two drain and fills at home 100 miles apart (easier than changing oil - just have to be sure to put the right type and amount of transmission fluid back in). If you do this be sure to identify what fluid you want used, and have the shop use that type. Then use that same type when you do your drain and fills.


Please explain in more detail the "high pressure" part of a flush. I am interested as I do not see how a flush machine could use high pressure. I think this is another Urban Legend being told by many who don't sit down and consider what a flush can and cannot do.

 

[Eddie]

My local Pennzoil dealer will not do a flush on vehicles with over 100K miles. "We just have too many problems with hi mileage ATs". I would do several plug drains and refills. Drop the pan and change the filter on the first one. JMO.. Ed

 

[SteveSRT8]

No such thing as a "flush". The machines are completely passive.

I owned a B&G machine that I bought at an auction. It wasn't a "machine" at all, it was simply two containers in a cabinet with a collection of adapters to fit almost any car.

Your trans pump does the work, and fluid moves through it just like in everyday usage. It simply cannot hurt your trans.

I have done driveway exchanges on many cars, and recently did my friends 85 Celica Supra with 180,000 miles on the trans. We completely cured a harsh engagement and a shift flare into 3rd with a simple fluid exchange!

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Don't get a "flush" but get an "exchange". Just old
fluid out, new fluid in. No cleaning chemicals, no high pressure.

You could have the shop do a drain and fill with a new gasket, and put a drain plug in the pan. Then you can do another two drain and fills at home 100 miles apart (easier than changing oil - just have to be sure to put the right type and amount of transmission fluid back in). If you do this be sure to identify what fluid you want used, and have the shop use that type. Then use that same type when you do your drain and fills.


+1

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
No such thing as a "flush". The machines are completely passive.

I owned a B&G machine that I bought at an auction. It wasn't a "machine" at all, it was simply two containers in a cabinet with a collection of adapters to fit almost any car.

Your trans pump does the work, and fluid moves through it just like in everyday usage. It simply cannot hurt your trans.

I have done driveway exchanges on many cars, and recently did my friends 85 Celica Supra with 180,000 miles on the trans. We completely cured a harsh engagement and a shift flare into 3rd with a simple fluid exchange!


Would this passive exchange work on a Honda/Acura? I have done this method with great success on my Toyota/Lexus cars but I am afraid to try it on my 2010 Acura MDX.

 

[Astro14]

I would just do a cooler line flush - no pressure, you contol the fluid type going in (instead of the universal fill in their machine) and you get a complete fluid exchange...you'll need to have enough new fluid to equal about 1.5 to 2.0 times the capacity of the trans to get all the old fluid out...

 

[SteveSRT8]

I have used it with great success on all kinds of vehicles, and it will work well for almost any auto trans.

Note it is not a substitute for dropping the pan and changing the filter as recommended.

 

[artbuc]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
...it will work well for almost any auto trans.


Does "almost any" include Honda/Acura?

 

[tommygunn]

The problem I have with this hyped dealership service is the fact that the filter is not being changed...better with a pan drop in my opinion.