I need to get my transmission fluid changed, so it can start slipping...

According to the manual, 120K is the interval to change the fluid, but I've been putting it off becasue I'm neurotic about tranny fluid change causing it to slip. I have 130K on the clock now. Pentastar V6 with the 8 speed that shifts smooth as silk.

Supposedly, the debris in there keeps an older tansmission from slipping, and when it gets flushed out, any wear becomes an issue and it may start slipping.

You can either get a transfusion that flushes everything out with extra fluid, or you can do the old school drop pan method and change the filter as well.

I don't have a dipstick so I have no clue what color the fluid is.

What have you guys done?

I have the 8spd as well and did my first trans service with the drop the pan and gravity drain & replace the filter and refill with fresh fluid at about 90,000Km's.

I noticed my transmission wasn't pulling as smoothly as it did, but there was no slip or banging. I just knew it wasn't the same, but it did function normally though.

I've got some friends at a local dealership so I saved a ton on them doing an OEM fluid and filter job. I did however, also have the Caulk04 transmission cooling bypass valve upgrade done too because the heat the 8spd's typically get to is a recipe for failure over time.

Now that I have a new filter, fresh fluid, and a much cooler operating transmission, it is smooth as butter, and shifts like a dream!

I will get my next service at about the 60,000Km's mark and keep at that interval so my transmission lasts.

120k is nothing for these 8 spds. Change the fluid & filter and you'll be fine. Just make sure the tranny is level when refilling.

You're probably fine changing it but I'd definitely only do a drain/fill and not one of these "power flush" services dealers and service places offer due to the chances of dislodging debris. I lean more toward the "let sleeping dogs lie" way of doing things but you really don't have that many miles. Fortunately (or unfortunately) my tranny gave out at 38K and 90K mile so I've never had to make this decision.

That is an "old farmer's tale" and not based on any factual information or data. If the transmission is perfectly healthy and working fine now changing fluid is not going to cause any issues. Most of this myth about fluid changes or flushes causing issues is because people wait until the transmission starts having issues and slipping before doing the service. They flush the fluid hoping it cures the issues but shortly afterwards the trans completely fails. They blame the failure on the fluid change or flush and not the fact the trans was already toasted and getting ready to fail anyway. If the trans is acting up and slipping the damage is already done and new fluid is not going to magically fix it.

62Blazer said:

That is an "old farmer's tale" and not based on any factual information or data. If the transmission is perfectly healthy and working fine now changing fluid is not going to cause any issues. Most of this myth about fluid changes or flushes causing issues is because people wait until the transmission starts having issues and slipping before doing the service. They flush the fluid hoping it cures the issues but shortly afterwards the trans completely fails. They blame the failure on the fluid change or flush and not the fact the trans was already toasted and getting ready to fail anyway. If the trans is acting up and slipping the damage is already done and new fluid is not going to magically fix it.

Click to expand...

One could just top up the transmission with some saw dust to cure the slip, just like back in the day, and voila, happy transmission