Should I get my trans fluid changed?

[Genesiswonderer]

Okay, so I have a 2011 4.6 sedan with almost 120k miles on it. Should I get the trans fluid changed? I've never done anything to the trans on this car. I've heard that if you have high miles you shouldn't do anything to the trans fluid if nothings been done already. I mean I think the trans is fine but I think it might not shift as smooth as it did when we first got the car used in 2015, and certainly not as smooth as our 2015 3.8 sedan and 2018 g90 5.0. Any suggestions?

 

[5.0KDM]

I heard you always do a drop/drain and fill never a flush.

 

[toxicavenger70]

Absolutely. Get the pan dropped and fluid changed.

 

[gatyameli]

What is the reason for wanting to change it? At 120k, you're battling a oil that might have broken down versus introducing a potentially whole set of problems with new fluid. I would take a sample and send it off to be analyzed. Spending the $100 or so to do that might save you some heartache.

 

[toxicavenger70]

What is the reason for wanting to change it? At 120k, you're battling a oil that might have broken down versus introducing a potentially whole set of problems with new fluid. I would take a sample and send it off to be analyzed. Spending the $100 or so to do that might save you some heartache.

I do not see how new fluid can induce any new problems. If the fluid is changed regularly (around every 50k) I personally believe it is better than broken down fluid that is thicker and not providing protection.

 

[Charlie1982]

I do not see how new fluid can induce any new problems. If the fluid is changed regularly (around every 50k) I personally believe it is better than broken down fluid that is thicker and not providing protection.

“If the fluid is changed regularly” is the key phrase here. At this point we don’t know if that has been done, since the OP bought the car used, and unless the service history came with the car, we might never know if it’s been changed at all.

The fluid in the transmission now might be original, and if it is, then it’s a roll of the dice whether it will help or hurt, since internal damage may or may not have already been done.

@Genesiswonderer , you stated that the “transmission seems fine”, and then stated that it “might not shift as smooth”. It sounds to me like it’s only acting slightly abnormal, is that true? If so, and if it were my car, then I would probably drop the pan and replace the filter, plus whatever amount of fluid I could drain out of it, without doing a full flush job. But it’s your car, you assume all risks, etc. Best of luck to you, whichever course of action you decide to take.

 

[toxicavenger70]

“If the fluid is changed regularly” is the key phrase here. At this point we don’t know if that has been done, since the OP bought the car used, and unless the service history came with the car, we might never know if it’s been changed at all.

The fluid in the transmission now might be original, and if it is, then it’s a roll of the dice whether it will help or hurt, since internal damage may or may not have already been done.

@Genesiswonderer , you stated that the “transmission seems fine”, and then stated that it “might not shift as smooth”. It sounds to me like it’s only acting slightly abnormal, is that true? If so, and if it were my car, then I would probably drop the pan and replace the filter, plus whatever amount of fluid I could drain out of it, without doing a full flush job. But it’s your car, you assume all risks, etc. Best of luck to you, whichever course of action you decide to take.

I just changed the fluid on a truck I got with 189k and it shifting crazy smooth. Personally I don't think it is ever to late to change the fluid. No matter what Scotty Kilmer aka wannabe mechanic says. lol

 

[Gunkk]

If your clutches aren't worn, then yeah you can change the fluid. Trouble is you usually don't know they were until after you change the fluid. I'm at 90k miles on my original oil with no issues. But I granny drive the thing.

 

[thenewguyy]

I got a couple of slips happened with my 13 r spec the other day. Bought it a year ago with 135k mile, now at 140. Wondering if should do a fluid change or is that a money down the drain at this point? I have no clue if it was ever changed.

 

[skipgen]

I did drain & refill and changed the pan/filter @ ~100k and it made a huge difference. But mine had been changed before @ 50k...

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[thenewguyy]

I did drain & refill and changed the pan/filter @ ~100k and it made a huge difference. But mine had been changed before @ 50k...

Its funny, i had started calling transmission shops around to get an idea on what kinda damage id be looking at. From my research its usually the valve body that goes bad. Well i was getting quotes of about $2k for getting that done.....the problem is I can find decent used trannys with half the mileage for less than $1k!! So its like should i do that or do the valve body.....Dont need to make a decision today since my trannys been good other than those couple slips last week. So as i was saying called a few transmission shops and they said, doing a tranny fluid change is throwing money down the drain....im assuming if its slipping, no tranny fluid change is gonna help, might for a day or week but itll start slipping again

 

[skipgen]

Its funny, i had started calling transmission shops around to get an idea on what kinda damage id be looking at. From my research its usually the valve body that goes bad. Well i was getting quotes of about $2k for getting that done.....the problem is I can find decent used trannys with half the mileage for less than $1k!! So its like should i do that or do the valve body.....Dont need to make a decision today since my trannys been good other than those couple slips last week. So as i was saying called a few transmission shops and they said, doing a tranny fluid change is throwing money down the drain....im assuming if its slipping, no tranny fluid change is gonna help, might for a day or week but itll start slipping again

Well...it is their job to sell you a transmission or transmission work.

Mine wasn't "slipping" - I'd get weird & occasionally harsh shifting, which went away after a fluid change. The smoothed out shifting was immediate and still continues to be after over a month later... Worked for me (so far) is all I can say.

You'll have decide what's best for your situation. It was worth it to me to spend $300 to find out.

 

[jep604]

I had my 2014 done the first time at about 85K miles and am getting ready to do it again at 180K+ with a new pan/filter. I have no issues with shifting and haven't since brand new.