1999 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup Logo
sherman north Posted on Dec 10, 2015
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Is it good practice to change Transmissin fluid

Some people say to never change the transmission fluid & screen but some states that it's ok. Is this good for a vehicle with a little over 100,000 miles on it or will it cause the transmission to go out ?

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richie46

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  • Chevrolet Master 12,962 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 11, 2015
richie46
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If fluid is still nice and pink I would leave it alone. Bands and seals get sort of used to fluid in there and when you change it you have now introduced a foreign substance to the mix - often it results in bands and o rings getting damaged and a Lee Miles job.
I never, never change mine........................

  • 2 more comments 
  • sherman north Dec 11, 2015

    A man just changed his fluid in 1999 S 10 transmission in Sept. and he is wanting to sell truck but it suppose to be running good so far with no issues with the transmission, I was just wondering if it would maybe wait a little while & go out, is that possible ?
    Would it be a good idea to buy this truck, it has been garage kept.

  • sherman north Dec 11, 2015

    Has any of your transmissions every went out?

  • richie46 Dec 11, 2015

    Like I said if it is not broke leave it alone. Your call

  • sherman north Dec 11, 2015

    Thanks

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Terry Hair

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  • Chevrolet Master 4,134 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 10, 2015
Terry Hair
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Periodic change of the fluid and filter is recommended by most manufacturers, usually around the 80-100K mark. However, most manufacturers DO NOT recommend transmission flushes since they may use chemicals that can damage o-rings and seals. If a transmission dies soon after a fluid and filter change, it would not have lasted very much longer than that without one.

  • 1 more comment 
  • sherman north Dec 11, 2015

    I have close to 137,000 miles on a Malibu & I have put about 37k miles but do not think it has ever been changed.
    I called a Chevorlet dealer and one of their employees told me if I wasn't having any issues with it not to worry about it just leave it alone.
    My transmission has no problems presently at this time.
    So you think I should change screen and fluid,is that correct ?

  • sherman north Dec 11, 2015

    That was a good while back, approx. 1 yr ago when I called them at the dealership.

  • Terry Hair Dec 11, 2015

    A lot of this depends on the year and type of transmission you have in the device. Newer cars have more sophisticated transmissions and use different fluids and have different maintenance schedules. You can search around the web and get 1000 different opinions; everything from do it every other oil change (as if!), to "after 100K don't ever change it, just keep it topped off". There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to it. Assuming you aren't abusing the unit, it should last a very long time. Many folks say that as long as the fluid is that nice cherry red color, and not brownish or burnt looking or smelling, you are ok. Those folks feel that if you mess with something that old and put new fluid in it, you'll just blow out the internal seals - and there may be a point in there somewhere. Everyone agrees, though that the transmission flush is a major no-no. If the fluid is full, nice and red, and not leaking and you are having no issues with slippage or bad shifting, then you may want to let the sleeping dog lie.

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Sean Piquet

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  • Chevrolet Master 1,867 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 11, 2015
Sean  Piquet
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Question
"Some people say to never change the transmission fluid & screen but some states that it's ok. Is this good for a vehicle with a little over 100,000 miles on it or will it cause the transmission to go out."
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1. When you replace the auto transmission fluid (ATF) you use the fluid stipulated by the manufacturer and nothing else. This is what is in the transmission in the first place so you are not introducing a new fluid type. Unless you supply the ATF to the service center you are using you cannot be sure that they will use the correct fluid type.

2. You cannot possibly damage a transmission by replacing the fluid so long as the refilling is done according to the correct procedure and the correct level of fluid is maintained in the unit.

3. Over time there will be some very tiny particles of debris running around in the old fluid. You can get much of this out with a fluid change but not all of it as a fluid drain will not remove all the fluid from the transmission. How much is removed will depend on the design of the transmission.

4. If you are servicing the transmission only do a fluid drain and refill service according to the manufacturer procedure and NEVER take up the offer to do a "Fluid Flush". Many manufacturers specifically warn against doing "flushes" which can potentially shorted the life of the transmissions and affect its operation.
Transmission flushes are popular upsells as they are profitable for the businesses that offer them. Don't allow one of these to be done on your car.

5. Only use the dealer service center for the transmission fluid drain and refill service or an independent transmission specialist with knowledge of the model vehicle you have. Also check with the business what fluid they will use in the transmission and if you have any concerns ask them how much they need and supply them with the correct product as per the manufacturer's specification. That way you know the correct product will be used. I would never trust an independent business to use the correct fluid because they are more likely to just use one of the 2 - 3 products sitting in the workshop they have purchased in bulk that may not be the correct formulation for your transmission and most owners will never know what was used.

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