Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change?

LouisB · 11-04-2009, 10:36 PM

Ok, this might seem like a stupid question but I have had a couple of guys that rebuild and work on transmissions tell me that you should never change the trans fluid in your vehicle.

I am having a hard time believing this, so I wanted to extend the question out to you guys.

Is this just old school thinking or is there some substance to this statement?

arteegee · 11-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Sounds like they need the business.

Bosco83 · 11-04-2009, 10:59 PM

Well I called my buddy who owns a tranny shop and he said the fluids viscosity doesn't really break down, but you should change the fluids because the additives and detergents do.

2Hondas · 11-05-2009, 06:57 AM

The additives will break down, oxidize, and plate onto the interior parts of the transmission. Over time the additives, which are put into the fluid to provide stick-slip protection, wear protection, corossion protection, etc. will be used up. The filter should catch any of the fibrous material worn away inside the transmission. I do the 3.3 quart change every 15,000 miles or so. By adding 30 % to 40 % new fluid you are replenishing additives before they are completely used up. You likely could get by without changing the fluid, if it is checked to make sure you are not seeing a loss of fluid or a darkening of the fluid. I figure for $20 once a year for me is assurance that the fluid is good.

Joeyo · 11-05-2009, 09:09 AM

Here are my experiences on the Honda tanny. I have a 06 Ridgeline and a 07 Odyssey both have the 3.5L engine (Odyssey has the iVect). I’m going with the MM on the Ridgeline but I decided to change of the transmission fluid on the Odyssey at 24K. The fluid looked okay but the Odyssey shifts smoother after the change. I think the MM will tell you to change the fluid around 48K - 54K. I’m going to let the Ridgeline go to the 48K mile then change it then.

It costs me about $35 for the 4qts of Honda transmission fluid and washers and it was a simple job to do. So from now on I’m changing the transmission fluid on both vehicles every 24K. You only really replace ½ of the fluid per change.

I do not believe in life time fluid or 10 years for the coolant either (change at 100K or every 5 years). I typical do more preventive maintaince then I should, maybe that is why my last vehicles had over 200K miles without any major issues.

Just my 2 cents.

JoeyO

BIGGUY · 11-05-2009, 09:31 AM

My MM had me change mine at 50k if that's any help

shovelhd · 11-05-2009, 10:19 AM

You replace 1/3 of the fluid per change, not 1/2.

arteegee · 11-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Changed mine by MM at about 43.5k miles.

Mr Bigs · 11-05-2009, 11:35 AM

Talking from experience with Honda's change the fluid. Some manufacturers transmissions have a high tolerance for maintenance neglect,Honda is not one of them.

MDVE39 · 11-05-2009, 01:59 PM

It's cheaper to change the fluid and filter than it is to replace the tranny.

11-04-2009, 10:36 PM	#1
LouisB ROC Rank: Stuffing 2006 RTL Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Elgin, IL Posts: 38	Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Ok, this might seem like a stupid question but I have had a couple of guys that rebuild and work on transmissions tell me that you should never change the trans fluid in your vehicle. I am having a hard time believing this, so I wanted to extend the question out to you guys. Is this just old school thinking or is there some substance to this statement? __________________ 2006 Billet Silver RTL with NAV

11-04-2009, 10:41 PM	#2
arteegee ROC Rank: Sweet Potatoes 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,082	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Sounds like they need the business. __________________ Congrats Highcroft Racing Acura - 2009 ALMS P1 Champs

11-04-2009, 10:59 PM	#3
Bosco83 ROC Rank: Stuffing Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 29	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Well I called my buddy who owns a tranny shop and he said the fluids viscosity doesn't really break down, but you should change the fluids because the additives and detergents do.

11-05-2009, 06:57 AM	#4
2Hondas ROC Rank: Turkey 2007 RT Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern KY Posts: 214	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? The additives will break down, oxidize, and plate onto the interior parts of the transmission. Over time the additives, which are put into the fluid to provide stick-slip protection, wear protection, corossion protection, etc. will be used up. The filter should catch any of the fibrous material worn away inside the transmission. I do the 3.3 quart change every 15,000 miles or so. By adding 30 % to 40 % new fluid you are replenishing additives before they are completely used up. You likely could get by without changing the fluid, if it is checked to make sure you are not seeing a loss of fluid or a darkening of the fluid. I figure for $20 once a year for me is assurance that the fluid is good.

11-05-2009, 09:09 AM	#5
Joeyo ROC Rank: Stuffing 2006 RTL Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 95	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Here are my experiences on the Honda tanny. I have a 06 Ridgeline and a 07 Odyssey both have the 3.5L engine (Odyssey has the iVect). I’m going with the MM on the Ridgeline but I decided to change of the transmission fluid on the Odyssey at 24K. The fluid looked okay but the Odyssey shifts smoother after the change. I think the MM will tell you to change the fluid around 48K - 54K. I’m going to let the Ridgeline go to the 48K mile then change it then. It costs me about $35 for the 4qts of Honda transmission fluid and washers and it was a simple job to do. So from now on I’m changing the transmission fluid on both vehicles every 24K. You only really replace ½ of the fluid per change. I do not believe in life time fluid or 10 years for the coolant either (change at 100K or every 5 years). I typical do more preventive maintaince then I should, maybe that is why my last vehicles had over 200K miles without any major issues. Just my 2 cents. JoeyO __________________ JoeyO 2006 Billet Silver Metallic RTL w/moonroof Factory Trailer Hitch & Harness Factory Backup Sensors Factory Fog Lights Factory Door Visors Factory Hood Air Deflector Factory Moonroof Visor Factory Under-Seat Cargo Tray Factory Black Oval Side Step Other Toys: 2001 Lotus Esprit V8 twin turbo - Sliver 2007 Honda Odyssey - Silver 2007 Ducati 1098 - Yellow 2005 BMW M3 Convertible - Black

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11-05-2009, 09:31 AM	#6
BIGGUY ROC Rank: Ham 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Marriott-Slaterville, Utah Posts: 773	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? My MM had me change mine at 50k if that's any help __________________ Moonroof & Nav,Roof Rack,Running Boards,Backup Camera,Hitch,Rear Mud Guards & Lady Decals,Pin Stripes & Decals(Ridgeline Extreme,4X4, names & owners club,2006 MotorTrend),Air Deflector,Underseat Storeage,Dog Deck,Retrax Cover,Vent Visors,Dash Plate & Mat,Tube Hitch Step ,XM,DR & W/W Trim,Side Mouldings,Full size spare,Bull Bar,Door Seals & license plate frame(by 5S) I took the road less traveled, now I don't know where the hell I am See ya at the top of the mountain

11-05-2009, 10:19 AM	#7
shovelhd ROC Rank: Green Bean Casserole 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Western MA Posts: 8,701	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? You replace 1/3 of the fluid per change, not 1/2. __________________ Shovelhd media installation thread Kenwood DDX8019Garmin KNA-G510 Nav 2009 MapsKCA-BT200 BluetoothKTC-HR100 HD Radio TunerKTC-V500N TV Tuner (RIP)KCA-iP200 iPod AdapterSIR-KEN1 Sirius Satellite Radio Tuner with Lifetime SubscriptionWebb OEM XM Antenna ConversionPPI DCX-730 DSPEclipse XA4000 Mains AmpRockford-Fosgate T1500bd Sub AmpRainbow SLC 265 Front ComponentsRainbow 165 SL Rear Coaxials(2) Diamond Audio D610D4 Subs in Custom Subthump BoxKP Technologies Rollup Modules

11-05-2009, 11:32 AM	#8
arteegee ROC Rank: Sweet Potatoes 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 5,082	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Changed mine by MM at about 43.5k miles. __________________ Congrats Highcroft Racing Acura - 2009 ALMS P1 Champs

11-05-2009, 11:35 AM	#9
Mr Bigs ROC Rank: Ham 2008 RTL Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2007 Location: N.Y.C Posts: 781	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? Talking from experience with Honda's change the fluid. Some manufacturers transmissions have a high tolerance for maintenance neglect,Honda is not one of them.

11-05-2009, 01:59 PM	#10
MDVE39 ROC Rank: Ham 2009 RTL Bali Blue Pearl Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central MD Posts: 561	Re: Transmission Fluid: To change or not to change? It's cheaper to change the fluid and filter than it is to replace the tranny. __________________ 2009 RTL Bali Blue (mine) Cargo tray, trunk mat, wheel locks, rear splash guards, pin stripes, Garmin Nuvi 200, Sportwing door moldings 2007 RTL Billet Silver - Totaled 2006 Odyssey EX-L Sage Brush Pearl (wife's) 2005 Kia Optima (kids)

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