# Transmission fluid change

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** transmissions, fluids\
**Created:** [June 9, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048 "2008-06-09T05:07:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GUNNYGRITS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed8c4c/32.png) [@GUNNYGRITS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GUNNYGRITS)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048/1 "2008-06-09T05:07:12Z")

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I HAVE A 2000 CHEV ASTROVAN ALLWHEEL DRIVE  
  
 WITH AUTO TRANS. ONE SHOP SAYS ONLY CHANGE  
  
 THE FLUID, NOT NECESSARY TO FLUSH TRANS …ANOTHER SAYS FLUSH TRANS AND CHANGE FLUID, AT ADDITIONAN $100+ COST. OWNER MAN  
  
 ONLY MENTIONS CHANGE FLUID. WHO DO I BELIEVE? VAN ONLY HAS 58K MILES, AND I  
  
 WANT TO TRAVEL EAST COAST THIS SUMMER TO  
  
 VISIT MY PARRIS ISLAND WHERE I GRAD 52YRS  
  
 AGO, AND THEN UP EAST COAST TO VISIT ALL  
  
 MARINE/NAVY INSTALLATIONS AND MUSEUMS ALL  
  
 THE WAY UP TO MAINE. I’D LIKE TO KNOW THAT  
  
 I HAVE DONE THE NECESSARY TO GIVE SOME PEACH OF MIND THAT I’LL NOT HAVE TRANS  
  
 PROBLEMS. WHAT TO YOU THINK??

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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:** [June 9, 2008, 8:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048/2 "2008-06-09T08:53:02Z")

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Anytime you hear a suggestion to do something to your car called a flush or something that is not listed in the owner’s manual, be on the look out. When it is both, run away.

I suggest that a fluid change along with the filter change (which should be a part of the fluid change, but will not generally be part of a flush) should be what you do. It is wise to have this basic service done and your timing is about right.

You are wise for reading the owner’s manual and for suspecting someone trying to sell you something not needed.

```
  I know I am a pest about it, but ALL CAPS are difficult to read. Using standard case and paragraph spacing makes messages much easier to read. Making them easier to read means more people will read it and you are more likely to get a good answer.
```

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**Author:** ![hammrs1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/hammrs1/32/808_2.png) [@hammrs1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hammrs1)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 11:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048/3 "2008-06-09T11:41:56Z")

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NO FLUSH. just filter and fluid.

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**Author:** ![2ndtiming](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/eada6e/32.png) [@2ndtiming](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2ndtiming)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-change/15048/4 "2008-06-09T11:47:55Z")

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Yes, per the two previous, no flush - just change fluid and filter. Sometimes, a shop will suggest a flush only, because they can get 80 to 90% of the old fluid out and refill without dropping the pan - it’s easier for them. However, the flush only is not as good as the fluid and filter change. So just get the full fluid and filter change and enjoy your trip.