I have read that if a car has not had it done regularly and it has high miles that if could actually harm your transmission to change the fluid. I have a 99 Ford Escort that just hit 100,000. The fluid is dark and I want to have it changed. Should I or will it hurt it?
Will a transmission fluid change HURT my car?
You can change it but do not get it flushed. Flushing the trans fluid mixes all those little metal filling bits that come off your trans with normal wear and tear up into the transmission which can damage it. My aunt did the same thing around 100k on her Ford Escape and her transmission broke on the way home from the shop. She had to buy a rebuilt trans. Its a gamble that I am not willing to take on my car. Just change the fluid without flushing it.
Will a transmission fluid change HURT my car?
I own %26amp; operate 2 Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change Centers %26amp; been in business since 1984.
There are several myths %26amp; several ways to service the transaxle, this is the way we do it %26amp; have not ever had an issue.
1. With 100k on vehicle ONLY have the %26quot;Sump-Filter%26quot; changed @ this point.
2. Wait 2-3k then have trans %26quot;flushed%26quot;
The reason for this is there is a magnet in pan that collects the shavings and the %26quot;varnish%26quot; settles in the bottom of pan. The filter is used up at this point so when changing the filter the guys will clean those issues up %26amp; you'll have a new filter. When changing the sump filter you are only removing %26amp; replacing about 1/3 of the fluid. The new will mix with the old %26amp; clean the rest of the system gradually (trans fluid is a detergent). Give it time to clean system slowly (2-3k) then flush. The flush will now give you 100% new fliud %26amp; the filter is STILL in new condition.
We perform 2-3 trans services a day at each store %26amp; we NEVER encounter problem going this route!
Good Luck!
PS- A trans shop ONLY wants to rebuild your trans (good business move for them), not maintain them (makes sense?)
It can hurt it but 100,000 is not too high, I would change it.
the interval is 50,000 miles. If you had 200,000 it would say drive it.
It is just like in a high time engine, if you change to a different type of oil with alot of cleaners in it it will clean it too much and it will start using oil. If you would have used that good oil to begin with you wouldn't have a problem. The extra sludge and carbon buildup is actually making the engine tighter.
Not sure about a transmission because the dirtiness can actually plug up valves and things but it the sludge actually helps the clutch plates in a high time transmission.
if you change the fluid correctly, it will not hurt...
(DO NOT let them flush the transmission fluid, that CAN cause damage)
Required maintenance, if done properly , should never hurt your car.
Neglecting maintenance will hurt your car.
some times it will.because if its never been flushed the gears get screwed up
leave it alone,only top off at this point. THE VISCOSITY OF THE FLUID HAS CHANGED DUE TO TEMPERATURE. Your transmission at this mileage is 90% worn out, NEW fluid with will eat into OLD, seals and gaskets,clutches,etc, as it is VISCOSITY is much stronger than old fluid. If its not a overhaul you want,leave it alone.
No it will help it, that is an old myth, it's not true
