Tranny Fluid - To change or not to change.

So in the past I was told never to change the tranny fluid if the vehicle had high millage and the tranny fluid wasn't changed before.

Reasons being it could cause more problems than good if you did.

I also read in a recent post on this site that you shouldn't if it wasn't maintained before. It started making me wonder if I should change mine or not. Right now, my tranny fluid is not new looking (bit dirty, still somewhat clear red looking), but its also not super dirty brown.

It worries me that if I did change it, I could be creating more problems.

Whats everyones thought on this? 04 with 241000k. (kms, not miles) Shifts pretty smooth under slow acceloration, but you can feel it change gears under a heavier load and acceloration.

Just drop the pan a do a filter change you won't hurt anything.

Originally Posted by midrange

but you can feel it change gears under a heavier load and acceloration.

If it's broke, it's broke. Might squeeze a few more thousand miles out with a fluid change, but I'd rather save it for the new transmission.

I would do it. I did mine at 161,000 miles which should put that slightly above what you have. Use regular cheap dex 3 and add a container of lucas no slip or lubeguard with it.

Alright, thanks Bill. I'll give it a shot.

SlowNA06 - I don't really think its broken, its just shifting a little harder than it should.. Perhaps fresh dex will help.

Dude ... If you have to ever change your tranny , any 04 up will work just use your original differential from your tranny should work fine, or rebuild yours. I'm going threw that now w/ my 04, good luck!! Oh and don't forget the lucas !!!

I would do the pan drop and filter change as well. Can't hurt it.

I rec. Replace filter and gasket then do a bg fluid exchange. Btw if you perform a bg trans fluid exchange befor 75k bg will at no charge warranty the trans for life if you perform the service every 30k. My wife has 186k on hers and shifts nike new thanks to regular bg fluid exchanges. If the trans ever fails we has $2000. Worth of coverage on it. I dont work for bg but its the best product out there and you cant buy a warranty like that. You get a free unlimited time and mileage warranty for doing what you should be doing anyway.