Transmission fluid - Change or not? (1 Viewer)

[w4oa]

I have a '96 LX-450 with 101k, it is new to me with no maintenance records, so I don't know if the transmission fluid has been changed. I had my other truck - Tundra (btw, for sale) - at the Express oil lube and I asked the oil changer about changing the transmission fluid in my LX-450. He asked how many miles, and if it had ever been changed. I told him 101k, and I didn't know if it had ever been changed. He recommended leaving well enough alone, not to change the fluid, that with new fluid with fresh addites/detergents, grime and grit would be broken loose and it would make the LX-450 transmission start slipping!

So my question is, should I change the transmission fluid? What is the proper change interval? If you have over how many??? miles, don't change the fluid?

There is a good thread on types of fluid, but none that I could locate on change intervals, and changing for first time on higher milage vehicles.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mitch
... in Mobile, AL

 

[cary]

Do a drain and fill with mineral oil (about 4 quarts), run it for a few thousand miles, do another drain and fill, run a few thousand miles, and then do a third drain and fill. After that do it every 15k miles or so. Unlike most american cars, the LC does not use a paper filter that can clog up very easily.

 

[RavenTai]

I started a regimen as Cary described when I got mine at 106K, 50K later transmission is just fine.

I personally prefer to change it slowly over time but many here have done full change outs also to no ill effect.

If you leave it in there the fluid will eventually fail shortening the life of the transmission.

At some point in this process you are going to want to drop the pan and clean the pan and filter,

Do not pay the oil change place to do it, waste of money and potentially harmful, read up and DIY. You can also change you own engine oil with better quality components for the same amount you are paying them for bulk oil and cheap filters, with the bonus of lowered chances of a block killing double oil filter gasket or just annoying stripped oil pan plug.

Paying uncaring “professionals” to work on your cruiser should be avoided when possible, you read about the results of their shoddy work over and over again here. There are few good specialists in the cruiser community that are good but most do not have one nearby.

 

[CJF]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=78884&highlight=tranny

 

[Romer]

I took mine to a shop I trusted that did a fluid exchange. In this process, they use the Transmission pump to exchange the fluid. Don't do a Flush as they use an external pump. Cost me $99.

 

[Brian Macgyver]

Agreed. Avoid the power flush. The fluid change that uses your trans pump works well. Look for the B.G. system or similar.
If your fluid is not burned or highly contaminated it may be as well to drain & replace 4 quarts every oil change for 3 cycles, then drop the pan for a filter change. That would flush out most of it without the risk. The B.G. system and the repeated change has about the same results.
Once you are satisfied with your state of maintenance, replace 4 quarts of the trans fluid every other or every third oil change, depending on your local temperature conditions.