# To flush or not to flush?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [November 28, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770 "2007-11-28T16:56:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jillybeans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jillybeans](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jillybeans)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/1 "2007-11-28T16:56:56Z")

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I’m going crazy about this? I have a 2001 dodge neon with about 114,000 miles and was told i needed a tranny flush by my mechanic. I’ve been searching around on the internet to get an idea of what this actually is and got some very polarized opinions on it. Getting a new car is not an option for me right now. What do you think?

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/2 "2007-11-28T17:16:21Z")

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Forget about the flush unless the fluid is contaminated, otherwise just drop the pan, change the filter and refill using only ATF+4. I see way too many transmissions crossing my bench which are there due to improper or lack of servicing.

transman

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**Author:** ![markmast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@markmast](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markmast)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/3 "2007-11-28T17:20:39Z")

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I recommend that the transmission be serviced. Specifically, drop the oil pan on the trans, clean it, replace the filter and refill with the proper mopar fluid (probably ATF + 4, but check the owner’s manual).

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/4 "2007-11-28T17:24:27Z")

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Transman said it all. we get this post often, and all those shops want to pay off their flushing machines. Changing fluid and filter (where possible)should be done every 40,000-50,000 miles as a routine maintenance activity. My old car at 115,000 miles has had 3 fluid & filter changes. If you tow a trailer it should be done more often.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/5 "2007-11-28T20:19:46Z")

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A transmission flush is not the same as routine transmission service, which (as everyone else has said) consists of dropping the pan. Ask for the routine service and give a loud NO! to the flush offer.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-flush-or-not-to-flush/7770/6 "2007-11-28T20:36:18Z")

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Me too…