Transmission fluid question.....should I change it?

[AWeb80]

I changed it at ~93K miles and i'm thinking this was probably the first time it was changed. Now i've got ~116K miles....the last 10K have been "hard" driven because i've got a "fun" suspension on it. But ~half of the 10K have been highway miles of 65 mph or more....

 

the color still has a reddish tint....doesn't look too burnt. Just wondering if I should change it again or just leave it be. Thanks.

[Supreme Cutlass]

What does it smell like?

[99RegalGS]

Might as well change it. Can't hurt.

[GP1138]

What does it smell like?

 

ASPARAGUS AND CABBAGE!!!!

[SigEpCutlass]

My understanding is that GM trannies should be flushed and have the filter & fluid changed every 30k. If I were you, I'd atleast change the fluid by 123k, since that'd be 30k miles. I don't see it being a bad thing to do now though.

[AWeb80]

What does it smell like?

 

Smells fine.

 

I just want to know if it will hurt anything changing it before the "30K" mark.

 

What does everyone suggest I use for fluid?.....i have o'reilly brand in there now ..good?

 

are there any additive that you would suggest....ex: Lucas, Prolong,...?

[GOT2B GM]

Stay away from additives if your trans is working fine.

[Crazy K]

I prefer valvoline maxlife. It can wait a little while... wait tilll it warms up outside.

[AWeb80]

I prefer valvoline maxlife. It can wait a little while... wait tilll it warms up outside.

 

eehh, its gonna be 45* friday...i'll do i then. I usually get all my stuff at oreilly's, filter and gasket....but i'll look into the valvoline maxlife....what is special about the stuff?

[sl3196]

You shouldn't need a gasket unless ya put one of them non reusable ones in last time.

[AWeb80]

well, when i did it last time i got the filter and gasket all in one box.....it was a good rubber one btw.

[Turbo231]

It doesn't hurt to change your fluid early...that being said, when you drop the filter you don't get out all the fluid...which gives you reason to change it it more often as you still have old stuff in there. Flushing is for chumps. Does GM recommend flushes? No. Do transmission repair/oil change places recommend flushes...yes. Wonder why, cough $$$ cough.

Inspect your pan and cut open your filter, if you find lots of "black sand" i.e. shavings, then I'd note it and change it early again...if everything looks great with very little metal buildup, then I wouldn't worry about the next change as everything is hanging in there. Transmissions really can take a beating, and if your fluid is OK, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless you notice a change in shifting, which is prompting you to ask this question, I wouldn't go too far out my way to change the fluid in the cold.

 

If you need a hand, you can use my DIY fluid change procedure, which is also posted in the FYI section of this forum.

 

http://members.aol.com/regal231/xmission.htm

 

Good luck. Your car looks nice.

[Crazy K]

I recommend the addition of a neodymium magnet, a small super-magnet available at radio shack for like $2. I've added one to every car I have serviced, and when I have redone said cars, the neodymium magnet has twice the metal shaving as the factory one.

 

I place them about an inch apart in the tranny pan, btw.

 

http://www.amasci.com/neodemo.html#get

 

But I'd still wait on a tranny filter and fluid change till it gets warmer this spring.

[AWeb80]

I recommend the addition of a neodymium magnet, a small super-magnet available at radio shack for like $2. I've added one to every car I have serviced, and when I have redone said cars, the neodymium magnet has twice the metal shaving as the factory one.

 

I place them about an inch apart in the tranny pan, btw.

 

 

But I'd still wait on a tranny filter and fluid change till it gets warmer this spring.

 

So if i go to radio shack, they should have the magnet there?....this may be a stupid question...but I thought our tranny pan was aluminum is it not?...or is it steel...how will the magnet stick...i thought the stock magnet was glued...i am probably confused.

 

btw, i'll do it friday any ways...i got a warm shop to do it in.

 

 

EDIT I searched radio shacks website and all i came up with was headphones and speakers....where are the magnets?

[Crazy K]

these are similiar, but I did find one at one time that was maybe 3/8 inch in diameter on their site..... I actually got the ones I am using from a job I used to do.......

 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102642&cp=&pg=1&kw=magnet&numProdsPerPage=20&parentPage=search

 

and the pan is magnetic.

 

p.s. the neodymuim magnets are/appear to be nickle plated, and I have also seen them for sale in a wood hobby store for use in projects.

[AWeb80]

how many magnets do you get?

[Crazy K]

They were sold in packs of two......... i think....

 

Or are you refering to the ones I got on a job? about 25. they're half gone.

 

If you need to you can order them from the site i already mentioned (or follow a link to order)

[Kalgorn]

Please, do not use any sort of additive in your transmission fluid unless it needs it. Look at me. I changed my tranny fluid ~3k miles ago, put in a bottle of Lucas, and now I'm sitting here with a tranny on the way out. Lucas has to be the reason. I don't abuse the car and the Lucas is the only thing that was different in it.