Transmission fluid flush vs drain and replace fluid

[Tester]

You do realize that most dealers get their parts from local parts stores?

The Carquest near me supplies parts to about six local dealers in the area that I know of.

I see their delivery trucks in the dealers lots all the time.

Napa does the same thing.

Tester

[JayWB]

@texases

Do you think a transmission overhaul would be anywhere near $400? Maybe add a zero?

No. Maybe add $3600,

[db4690]

@Clueless33

The dealer said to flush the transmission fluid. So I told him if he knows Scotty Kilmer and that Scotty highly discourages flush services. The dealer said to ignore Scotty and that he is not a credible guy.

But how the dealer is going to convince me they are credible ?

So you find Scotty Kilmer to be credible?

And you find the Lexus dealer to NOT be credible?

[old_mopar_guy]

In my opinion Scotty Kilmer belongs on the funny farm.

[MikeInNH]

@TwinTurbo

That guy is certainly irritating to watch IMO. With all the arm waving, he could double as a windmill.

I think it’s all part of an act. He has a lot of followers.

@Tester

I don’t know of a single shop that does a drain and refill anymore.

Depends on the vehicle. I know a guy who owns a well respected transmission shop and he has contracts with many dealers that they outsource a lot of their transmission work to. He has a very expensive fluid exchange machines, but some vehicles it’s NOT recommended. Drain and fill only.

[jtsanders]

IMO the fluid exchange problem is largely due to allowed maximum pressures in the transmission. Honda recommended drain and fill 3 times to accomplish a full fluid exchange because many fluid exchange systems used pressures high enough to damage parts inside their ATs. That would not be the case for all cars and the fluid exchange systems may have improved since 2005 when my Accord was built.

[Clueless33]

Guys, do you know why I’m having a hard time with this topic?

Because I’m getting conflicted information from dealers, as well as from regular people who own the Lexus IS.

For instance, Toyota said I need a transmission exchange at 60,000 miles.

Lexus said I don’t need a transmission exchange until 95,000 miles.

Another Lexus dealer told me the transmission is sealed and never needs to be serviced, ever, and that they won’t service the car where it relates to the transmission, unless the transmission starts to give trouble, which is rare.

Then on an old thread from the Lexus forum I’m seeing this:

Transmission Fluid Change

So I hope you guys understand why I’m so confused.