Transmission Service

[RogerRabbit]

My two cents

If the vehicle is new replace tranny oil and filter after one to one and a half years old. The tranny is being broken in and small fillings from the tranny gears will accumilate. Then after two more years of driving change filter and oil again. Checking for more sediments. There should not be any. Then thats it.

what do you think of Zmax:

http://www.zmax.com/

or is there something better?

 

[poorboy]

what do you think of Zmax:

http://www.zmax.com/

or is there something better?

Snake oil.

Trans do not require any additives. GM transmissions are dirty. You will see clutch material in the bottom of the pan of a GM transmission every single time you pull the pan. It is normal.

Some manufacturers do not use a filter i.e. Honda. They usually have a magnetic drain plug. So I wouldn't flush that trans either because you still have to get sediment off the drain plug somehow.

Changing trans fluid and filter is not rocket science. Its just very messy, which is why they came up with these fancy machines to flush so everyone stays clean. Sometimes getting the seal out that is around the neck of the filter is annoying. You need it take a chisel and knock the edge of it in far enough that you can slip a pair of needle nose pliers on there to pull.

 

[RogerRabbit]

Snake oil.

Trans do not require any additives. GM transmissions are dirty. You will see clutch material in the bottom of the pan of a GM transmission every single time you pull the pan. It is normal.

I would agree most are "snake oil", as evidenced by FTC actions:

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu.html&additives.html

However Zmax seemed to manage the FTC actions to this conclusion:

http://www.zmax.com/zMAX/news/caseclosed.html

and has two ringing endoresements:

http://www.zmax.com/zMAX/testimonials/experts.html

Just curious why the FTC would allow them to state such positive information/ claims, if they were not true?

 

[mego]

My 2001 Sunfire does not have a Transmission dipstick, there is just a red cap that un-screws. What is the best way to check this out? The car has 73k on it, should I change the fluid and filter?

 

[Weekly]

Canadian Tire won't screw it up will they? they offer a fluid and filter change for both the transmission and radiator coolant flush. Including tax under $200 for both jobs.

 

[poorboy]

My 2001 Sunfire does not have a Transmission dipstick, there is just a red cap that un-screws. What is the best way to check this out? The car has 73k on it, should I change the fluid and filter?

I'd consult the owner's manual. Should be in there. 73K and 4 years is approaching the time where you should think about it. 2001 will have Dexron III in it.

 

[poorboy]

Canadian Tire won't screw it up will they? they offer a fluid and filter change for both the transmission and radiator coolant flush. Including tax under $200 for both jobs.

I prefer not to go to Cdn. Tire. Those guys have to work really fast to make money. Trans filter change and coolant flush are easy, just messy. Things that can go wrong with a trans service:

Overfilled fluid
Underfilled fluid
Trans bolts too loose
Trans bolts stripped because they are torqued too tight.
Seal between the filter and the valve body leaks because of improper fit.

Things that can do wrong with coolant service

Wrong type of coolant. Ordinary green coolant instead of the orange Dexcool
Improper concentration of coolant
Underfilled
Overfilled
Failure to bleed air out of the high spots in the system causing hot spots.
Hose leak due to improperly installed flush fitting.

I'd find a good independent to do it. Trans Ware in Concord does race transmissions 905 660 3650. If you are up there, you might want to ask them.

 

[poorboy]

I read what was said about regarding lifetime sealed transmission units. I have asked asked two Mercedes service advisors about this in the past and they were both adamant about not doing a fluid change. They said, unless the tranny is rough, leaking or obviously not working, there's no need.

Not recommending it is one thing. Advising you not to do it is another (especially if these SOBs tend to want to overservice everything else! )

What do you think?

Mercedes Benz could be using synthetic ATF. Mobil 1 and others make it.

 

[Weekly]

I read what was said about regarding lifetime sealed transmission units. I have asked asked two Mercedes service advisors about this in the past and they were both adamant about not doing a fluid change. They said, unless the tranny is rough, leaking or obviously not working, there's no need.

That's interesting. I'm not able to find a tranny dipstick or nozzle on my car and am wondering if its sealed meaning it doesn't need a change. Mind you the dealer recommended a service ?

Wrong type of coolant. Ordinary green coolant instead of the orange Dexcool

What's the difference?

 

[poorboy]

That's interesting. I'm not able to find a tranny dipstick or nozzle on my car and am wondering if its sealed meaning it doesn't need a change. Mind you the dealer recommended a service ?



What's the difference?

If your car is a GM mid sized car with an automatic transmission, it should have a trans dipstick. Look between the firewall and back of the engine for a red dipstick.

The difference between the green coolant and the orange coolant is the orange coolant is silica free. Silica in the coolant solidifies after time causing scaling on the inside of the radiator and wears away the water pump bearing.