# Automatic transmission fluid

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** transmissions, fluids, toyota, camry\
**Created:** [May 5, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432 "2010-05-05T15:16:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TROUTMAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@TROUTMAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TROUTMAN)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/1 "2010-05-05T15:16:40Z")

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HAVE A 94 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 92000 MILES.  
  
 DEALER SAID I SHOULD HAVE THE TRANMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND CHANGED, FOR $550. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/2 "2010-05-05T15:21:04Z")

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You should definitely have the fluid changed, NOT flushed.

That being said, if they are really charging $550 for this procedure, I suggest that you never return to that dealership. Is it possible that $550 is the price of the 90k mile service, including a trans flush?

Anyway, there is no reason to take this 16 year old car to a dealership. Any competent independent mechanic can service this car, includiing changing the trans fluid. A fair price for the trans fluid change is probably more like $90, including a new trans filter and cleanout of the trans pan.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/3 "2010-05-05T16:00:05Z")

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What have you been doing for transmission maintenance so far?

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/4 "2010-05-05T16:28:01Z")

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When was the last time the transmission was serviced? My answer depends on how well the transmission has been cared for until now.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/5 "2010-05-05T16:32:25Z")

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Get another estimate from an independent mechanic. You don’t need to pay dealer prices for maintenance work on a sixteen year old car.

But, yes, you should have the transmission fluid replaced. Not necessarily flushed, but replaced.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-fluid/48432/6 "2010-05-05T16:33:46Z")

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FORGET the Dealer for ANY non-warranty repairs or maintenance…

Have an independent transmission shop change the fluid AND FILTER…They may COMBINE this service with a “flush” which is fine as long as they drop the pan and change the filter TOO!! This service should not exceed $100, $150 TOPS!