Sealed 100K Mile Transmissions with No Dip Stick (ATF Change) ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
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I would never, nor would I wait until 100k. 50-60K Max, if not before depending on the ease of doing drain and fills.
Unless I planned on getting rid of the car, then I wouldn't bother.
Unless I planned on getting rid of the car, then I wouldn't bother.
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At least with H/K, the “lifetime” transmission fluid has a service schedule in the “severe maintenance” section of the owners manual. I think it’s around 60k miles. There’s no such thing as lifetime fluid
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Put me down as a disbeliever who would change out his ATF.
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I have owned several “lifetime transmission fluid vehicles”. I have never let them go past 60,000 miles without a drain and fill, or even a full pan drop and filter replacement.
My transmissions get fluid & filters every 30K. Of course the manufacturers are going to bolster sales by extending out the transmission fluid intervals, to give the illusion of low maintenance cars. Most people's warranties end before or at 100k, so they don't care as long as it makes it past that.
Contrary to ones subjective observations fluid analysis has shown that factory fill is capable of reaching 100k miles. That's just reality and it has been this way for over 20 years.
There's a reason why automatic transmission over the last 20 years have been fitted with coolers and sealed to prevent excessive exposure to moisture.
There's a reason why automatic transmission over the last 20 years have been fitted with coolers and sealed to prevent excessive exposure to moisture.
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IMO depends on the projected term of ownership. I'm 20-25k a year on the DD (17 Subaru OB) and 8k a year on the F150. I am not a buy/lease and trade-in type of owner so for me, "lifetime" fluid is a laughable utopia. First service of my CVT on the Subaru I had to have a conversation with the service writer. You know you don't need to do this service; the fluid is lifetime. Well Sir, can you show me a Subaru of North America definition of "lifetime?" Couldn't do it.
17 Subaru OB CVT has had a drain and fill about 70k and at 105k a full fluid exchange. It will get another at 150k and reevaluate at 200k. I am at 122k now. F150 due to the nature of the trans gets a pan drop/fill every 30k. Kids RAV4 2.4 is the bestest of the old world!! MightyVac gets 3.5 quarts of the 8.7. So easy to do I end up using MaxLife and do this every spring/fall. Wish all my vehicles were this easy!
17 Subaru OB CVT has had a drain and fill about 70k and at 105k a full fluid exchange. It will get another at 150k and reevaluate at 200k. I am at 122k now. F150 due to the nature of the trans gets a pan drop/fill every 30k. Kids RAV4 2.4 is the bestest of the old world!! MightyVac gets 3.5 quarts of the 8.7. So easy to do I end up using MaxLife and do this every spring/fall. Wish all my vehicles were this easy!
They are sealed and without a dipstick because the manufacturers found that the average person can't properly check the fluid level themselves. They were checking the fluid when it wasn't fully warmed up and thus needlessly adding fluid (often the incorrect type) to an already full transmission and creating problems that never existed before.
As an anecdotal data point… The ‘10 Sienna just rolled over 230k on its factory fill ATF. Its 5 speed still shifts well and everything.
However, I did change the ‘12 Camry’s lifetime fluid at around 60k (exchange at a dealer, though several I called didn’t want to do it), just for a bit of peace of mind.
However, I did change the ‘12 Camry’s lifetime fluid at around 60k (exchange at a dealer, though several I called didn’t want to do it), just for a bit of peace of mind.
Got it changed on the ZF8 in my Wrangler at 63k, dealer didn't want to touch it, took it to a euro tuner shop instead. No change in performance before or after!
2007 Toyota A750e automatic 5 speed with 224k miles today. I never bought into the no change/lifetime atf recommendation. I purchased the vehicle in 2009 with 20k miles. First atf drain & fill came at 50k. Installed a remote atf filter at 58k miles. Change fluid every 50k miles and filter every 25k miles.
For YF Sonata hybrid, those who don't change transmission fluid tend to have problem when approach 100k mileage... At least I see two examples on Hyundai forums.
I would call an ATF fluid change every 50K (or there about) cheap insurance.
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They are sealed and without a dipstick because the manufacturers saved a few dollars that way.
There it is, BITOG's standard response for justification
I've changed the fluid is several BMW "lifetime fluid" transmissions with positive results.
The post about manufacturer recommended oil vs. lifetime fluid is comical. Two completely different things. One is the recommended viscosity by the engineers who built the engine, the other is a gray area on how long your transmission might last.
The post about manufacturer recommended oil vs. lifetime fluid is comical. Two completely different things. One is the recommended viscosity by the engineers who built the engine, the other is a gray area on how long your transmission might last.
