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Car Forum / GMC Cars / June 2006

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02 Impala - trans flush; advice?

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gad - 13 Jun 2006 01:06 GMT
I brought my 02 Impala LS, 39700 miles, in today for a coolant flush.  The
service advisor called later a recommended a trans flush as well.  I
declined for now - wanted to ask you all first.

The owner's manual basically says that the fluid never needs changing (at
least not for a really long time, like 150K).  When I mentioned that to him,
he said no, and that every 30-40K miles was recommended, and that the first
service should be a complete flush.  After that, just dropping the pan and
doing the filter and replacing whatever fluid drains out is enough.

I've heard bad things about the flushing causing more trouble than it's
worth.  What is really needed?   The fluid on the stick looks and smells
fine, and I'm not experiencing any problems - I'm afraid of messing with
something that works.
Shep - 13 Jun 2006 01:13 GMT
30-40k is premature for a trans service, this is a typical dealer
maintenance recommendation. I would just change fluid and filter anwhere
from 50k to 60k just for peace of mind, now if you tow or use it for livery
service that is another story.
>I brought my 02 Impala LS, 39700 miles, in today for a coolant flush.  The
>service advisor called later a recommended a trans flush as well.  I
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> fine, and I'm not experiencing any problems - I'm afraid of messing with
> something that works.
Edwin Pawlowski - 13 Jun 2006 03:07 GMT
>I brought my 02 Impala LS, 39700 miles, in today for a coolant flush.  The
>service advisor called later a recommended a trans flush as well.  I
>declined for now - wanted to ask you all first.
>
> The owner's manual basically says that the fluid never needs changing (at
> least not for a really long time, like 150K).

The service advisor works for a profit making company and he probably gets a
bonus at some point also.  Only cars I ever had tranny problems with are the
ones that I had serviced.

If the fluid is good, if you don't do a lot of heavy hauling, go by the
manufacturer's recommendation, not a service advisor that want to pick your
pocket.  My next piece of advice is never go to a dealer for maintenance
unless it is some unusual situation.  They tend to be much higher priced for
the same service as a good local shop.
scrapir - 14 Jun 2006 00:23 GMT
If you plan on keeping the car for a while I would get it flushed. You said
the trans oil looks and smells ok? Well when it doesn't its to late you've
already done damage to you transmission. So yes get it changed before it
looks and smells bad. I also would take it to a transmission shop to have
it flushed. They usually have better machines to flush it out with
considering thats what they will use to flush there own rebuilt trans
after 20000 miles or so to keep the warranty on them.
RT - 14 Jun 2006 00:56 GMT
>I brought my 02 Impala LS, 39700 miles, in today for a coolant flush.  The
>service advisor called later a recommended a trans flush as well.  I
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>fine, and I'm not experiencing any problems - I'm afraid of messing with
>something that works.

I would do it, or at least drain and fill it. The recommended time is
way too long. It usually means buy a new transmission at that time
because it is shot.
If you drain and fill every 10K to 15K your transmission will last a
long time. Flushed not even needed.
Edwin Pawlowski - 14 Jun 2006 03:20 GMT
"RT" <noyabusiness@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> If you drain and fill every 10K to 15K your transmission will last a
> long time. Flushed not even needed.

What does it cost to drain and fill?  Following your schedule, I'd have had
some of mine changed 13 times.  I did it zero times and got 200k out of them
and they were still good when the car was junked or sold.  I'm far ahead,
IMO.
Spam Hater - 14 Jun 2006 05:48 GMT
> "RT" <noyabusiness@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > If you drain and fill every 10K to 15K your transmission will last a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> and they were still good when the car was junked or sold.  I'm far ahead,
> IMO.

I have a friend who doesn't follow my suggestion to regularly change his
transmission fluid.
His '85 Pontiac trans failed at 140kms and his '96 Taurus trans failed
at 135kms.  The rebuilt trans cost C$1,500+ each.
You won't believe this, but he is a mechanical engineer.  >:)
RT - 16 Jun 2006 18:29 GMT
>"RT" <noyabusiness@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> If you drain and fill every 10K to 15K your transmission will last a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>and they were still good when the car was junked or sold.  I'm far ahead,
>IMO.

drain and fill of the trans should not cost much more than an oil
change. Expecially if your car has a drain plug for the transmission
it is a piece of cake. I do it myself and spend 6 bucks on fluids and
once in a while I change the filter as well (10 bucks or so). Very
easy job.
 
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