Can Changing your Transmission Fluid Cause Damage?
Changing your automatic transmission fluid can leave you with many questions like: how do you check your transmission fluid, when should you change transmission fluid, how often should you change it, should you do a fluid flush, and what about sealed transmissions? I cover these questions and many more so you can get your transmission questions answered. Plus I put the myths to rest once and for all!
Ramps I used: amzn.to/1RLY2yU
Best Transmission Fluid Prices: amzn.to/1Nf3R2K
How to Change Transmission Fluid: ltworlds.info/home/vaizdo-ra-as/3pSRlNqUmbStaco.html
How to Change Differential Fluid: ltworlds.info/home/vaizdo-ra-as/sJ-jsLh8kpF4ZLA.html
How to Recharge your Air Conditioning: ltworlds.info/home/vaizdo-ra-as/tZajm61znMenZtY.html
Become a ChrisFix Subscriber→ ltworlds.info
Instagram→ instagram.com/chrisfixit
Facebook→ facebook.com/chrisfix8
Website → www.ChrisFixed.com
My Channel Home Page → ltworlds.info
**If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing. New videos every Thursday**
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix.
Why dont you drain the torque converter ?
hey Chris, i got a code that says to Replace TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID on my 2007 Toyota Corolla S. Any tips on how to replace and its location, plz brotha? (285K miles and still runnin! lol )
Best LTworlds channel for cars info!
just bought an 05 altima 2.5, first to second has a bit of a hard shift, was wondering if a oil replacement would help, now ill check its color first, may have to change the valve body dont know yet, im not used to automatic transmission, this was very usefull, funny that its a very similar transmission on this video than i got lol
I drive a 2008 BMW 535xi with over 120,000 miles and an automatic transmission. The fluid has never been changed. The owners manual claims that the transmission fluid is lifetime. Should I change my transmission fluid? I am having no issues shifting gears, but not sure if changing the transmission fluid would be good preventative maintenance by flushing out the old fluid, or if changing the transmission fluid would cause the clutch to slip. Thanks in advance!
I would check the condition of the fluid, if it's like the brown fluid in the fluid then you should have no issues doing a fluid change!
ChrisFix Good video! Good detailed information.
Been working on my own vehicles for 45 years, and Chris is putting out some good stuff here. Listen and learn. Wish we had the internet back in the 70's LOL. Thanks Chris.
Thanks a lot Jack!
With older vehicles, I drain it at the plug, refill it ,drive it a day and repeat. Wally World Super Tech at less than $20 a gallon. KNOCK ON WOOD, done that for years with no problems.
What if it’s good color but there’s metal flake
very informative. Thanks Chris.
I work at an oil change place and most people are way over the mileage, I show them the fluid is dirty and needs to be changed but they just think I'm trying to sell them something..
It's definitely tough when people see/go to places that try to make a quick buck vs people that are actually passionate and care about keeping cars on the road!
Hi Chris, i have a 2004 Kia Sedona 2.9 CRDi, with high milage, but the ATF is not burnt as you show in the video. It is somewhere in the middle. The manual says MOBIL D-II, which is Dexron II specs, but it seems i cannot buy the Dex II anymore. Would it be OK to use some higher number Dex? Like Dexron VI? What would you recommend please? Thanxs a lot.
i bought a used g35 and i need to inspect the ATF whats the best solution to do if i found a black burned fluid ? your help is much appreciated
OMG new fluid isn't gonna clog the passages. The contamination would have to pass thru the filter in order to do that. If new fluid causes your trans to fail; then it was almost gone anyway. A trans flush doesn't change all the fluid; but more importantly, it doesn't change the filter. New fluid cleans the inside of the trans and could cause the filter to clog. So always change the filter. I removed the pan on my 94 Aerostar with 215,000 miles and the fluid was almost black. I installed a new filter but reinstalled the same fluid because I didn't want new fluid to cleanse the insides and clog my new filter. I didn't intend to drive it that far, but it's at 240,000 and still going strong. Dirty fluid isn't going to make your clutch packs grab any better..that's cave man thinking..Hell, why not throw sand in there and make it last forever? lol! This guy talks about myths while creating more of them.
Thanks for sharing
I’m so happy I changed my transmission fluid for my 2007 Nissan Murano with over 210,000 miles
Hello love the videos Chris wondering if the car enthusiasts and the knowledge of the good people will help. I have struggled to find the engine oil top up location and in my confusion put it in the long tube which goes next to the engine I am guessing is a transmission fluid breather hose. I put less than 500ml 17.598 us fluid ounces. To then realise that the engine oil is filled by dip stick screw (confusing Renault trafic 1.9 dci 2004). Will this damage my manual transmission? Many thanks. Shane
Yes, drain all that out and fill it back up, and there is no oil cap on the top of the engine?
Hey amazing video, Chris I just have one question, is it bad if I overfilled with fluid transmission? And what can I do to remove the extra fluid?
@ChrisFix No, my car does not have a drain plug :( I think I'm gonna use a hose or a manual pump to take the excess out.
Thanks! I would always drain any excess out, do you have a drain plug on the transmission pan?
great info thanks
Why is my transmission starting to make wining noises, especially with weather temperature changes??
Can I become a Profession mechanic Through watching of ChrisFix Video? I mean without practical experience
Wow 👏 no joke bro that was really really helpful no joke you answered all my questions as I watched the video thank you. 👍
I m a woman who loves cars, and I do love to watch your videos . My teenager have a2002 Nissan Sentra that waso giving herthen a lot of problems . Car stopped a few times on the parkway, on the stop sign , etc. I took to the mechanics a few times, he looked , drove around the block and send her home. He said it’s no problem. We left the mechanic and 5 minutes later car stopped, it was like the car was coughing. I drove back to their mechanic and he looked no again said it’s nothing. We were so frustrated. After a few hours on the internment and watching your videos. Dx the car was leaking gasoline. The tank was extremely rusted. We took the car gain to the mechanic and this time he suspended the car and saw that the car was leaking gasoline. He I said the part was going to be $600. I ordered on line for $250. H e changed the gas tank. Again the yellow light saying have the engine checked soon appears, I m sure he did not do a good job and somewhere is still leaking something. I m continue to search and lean and hope to solve this other problem. Thank you so much for making these wonderful videos
Excellence video i have never seen from any one else post on you tube . Thank you so much
👍
Hi Chris, how you doin? I hope everythings fine with you. Great vid btw. I just wanna ask if it's okay to use different brands of transmission oil for my diesel suv manual transmission as long as I follow the SAE specs?
That's cool. In my 2016 explorer, when I changed the transmission fluid, at first, a dark drops and the rest are pink. The service guy said I was lucky to take good care of it, I honestly had no idea. He told me it was a small dark drops. Bht the rest is pink. So, I guess that's good news?
Very informative. I learned a lot.
My kids was given a 2003 car this year. It has never been changed. I was told that if you never had it done, it is better to not change now. It can cause leaks. Is this true? Or can I drain and fill or should it be a flush?
Right to the point. Great information
Thanks for the video! Great info for folks who didn't know.
Hi ChrisFix, according to my Chevrolet Aveo user manual, the specification of transmission fluid is (DEXTRON IIIG), can I just use other brands of specifications and only specify (DEXTRON III)? Please let me know, thanks.
Stay away from Valvoline, its a rip off for them to service your transmission!
Are used to work at a shop where we flush transmissions and I can tell you that I have seen many transmissions that we’re working normally and functioning normally have issues immediately after being flushed
car's transmissions are like phone's batteries
Warm it up cj warm it up!!
Hi Chris what about manual transsmition?
Incorrect. Car makers are claiming transmissions are sealed for life, but they are not the manufacturer. The transmission manufacturers are stating other things. Make sure you consult the OEM.
So, I’d this a automatic transmission or manual transmission (clutch to 1st - 2nd )
Que Dios nos perdone.
Like subscribed and notification turned on, what a fucking great video, thank you!
How do you know that your transmission is slipping? As in while driving
@Alecdroxx YT just that makes sense. But what if it accelerates just fine, but sometimes going uphill it holds 2nd gear to like 3500-4000rpm sometimes, which isn’t normal. But once I throw it in manual and up shift myself, it switches smoothly. Read this one forum, they said it’s the computers trying to give the engine more power by holding 2nd gear, hence it happening going uphill, but why sometimes only? It does slightly get more torque at this moment, but I just don’t know.
one way is if the engine rpm goes up, but the car is not accelerating. or movin just barely, im not good at explaining things but i know how it feels as i have had to replace the transmission in my car before 😅
Who ever liked my comment, not sure how’s that gonna answer my question lmaoo
I did subscribed your channel brother your an amazing person while explaining about transmission. Thanks god bless you !
9:00-10:00: isn't it risky to do even a change (not a flush) if you are unsure of transmission condition?
Thank you Mr. Chris. I assume you are Christopher. This is a good clarification about all the myths around transmission fluid changes or flashes. I appreciate your presentations. Taddeo from Durham, NC
I was there when that myth about fresh fluid killing a transmission started.... The old 69 Buick barely pulled in doing about 3 MPH with the engine turning at about 3000 RPM and the transmission slipping like crazy.... The fluid was black as tar and the burnt smell permeated the entire garage... We drained the pan and even the torque converter... back in the days when they had plugs and installed a new filter... The owner pulls out and stomps the gas and the car pulls away... it actually seemed a bit better... (much to my surprise)... Three weeks later I get a call that the transmission fluid change killed his transmission.... The dude was running his engine with the hot light on most of the time, he never thought of changing the fluid until the car barely moved at all and he was telling everyone that the fluid change killed his transmission... And I'm sure some friend of his dreamed up the magic burnt friction fluid theory to explain why a perfectly good transmission could die due to a fluid change after hearing the story. And yes folks, I'm sure that has happened to every mechanic on the planet at least once.. and that's how the myth really got started. If your trans is running on magical burnt transmission fluid instead of friction plates, it's already deceased and waiting to be buried.
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 5.3 got it at 104miles and now it’s at 114 don’t know the history but the transmission fluid is more like black pink. The truck did not come with the owners manual should I put OEM transmission fluid or go to a nearby auto parts place? And should I flush it or just take out some quarts?
I took my 2007 Toyota Corolla to the dealership a few months ago to have them change our the transmission and filter. I got it back and could tell the bolts on the pan we're still dirty. I was pissed! They told me it was not possible. I called multiple other shops to see if they could change out the filter and they all said yes. So I ended up paying twice in two weeks to have the fluid changed.....thanks again Chris. Live your videos
Nonservicable transmission my ass!
Your engine looks amazing. How did you do that?
What I can say you do a great job explaining things! I don't like flushing Transmissions, for the simple reason if you have an older car, at times the front seals get blown out & other seals start leaking. I Drop the pan, drain it, change the filter, check the magnet if it has one & go from there. Put it back together. And also use LUCAS Products for the transmitting. Almost have 200,000 miles on my 1999 F150 4.6 V8 The one additive I use in my Gasoline is Marvel Mystery Oil, that has never failed me.
Leave it to GM to stamp a typo into the dipstick. It's "CROSS HATCH" not "CROSS THATCH".
Ig the drive light is blinking is there a problem with the transmission
If
When buying a used car I test drive. Come back and check the transmission and let 1 drop of fluid drop on a white paper towel. If it looks like a bullseye with pink circle, transmission is usually burnt.
Excellent, terse, informative video👍🏾
Thanks for your video. I just bought a 2007 Honda Civic, with a 139k miles. the owner bought it with 25kmiles, and she own it for 9 years. I do not know when she changes the transmission fluid or maybe she never did. I cannot get in contact with her. When I check the transmission level, it looks good and drive fine. My question is, do you think I should change the transmission fluid or when should I change it?
ChrisFix how many miles are on the vette nowadays?
What about cvts, you’d get a million hits in 20 minutes if you did a video on this.
@Cook2430 Nissan uses Jatco manufactured CVT transmissions and they are really bad for having metal shavings in them from the belt
Yeah, my 2006 Altima is at 248k miles and I'm just waiting for that CVT to blow out to or from work. I didnt know if I should change it or not. Idk when the last time it was changed.
I've been seeing people ask about that a lot so I'll have to a make a video on it soon! Stay tuned!
My scion tc has a sealed transmission. No information on the owners manual. Great. It has over 100k miles. This is gonna be a pain in the ass for me
What's weird is my truck has had fairly regular fluid and filter changes over the years and yet its developed a torque converter shudder. And the fluid looks and smells perfectly fine.
My transmission on my 2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium burned after changing the fluid at 45,000. I used the OEM Ford MERCON LV fluid and 200 miles later the transmission stopped working. Now, Ford wants $7,987.34 to put in a new one. I also have a 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette with the 3.4 SPFI engine with 89,200 miles and I’m terrified that the transmission will burn if I change the fluid or have it flushed. I don’t understand.
thanks for the video chris. do you suggest using OEM ATF? or another good brand is also good ?
Any Dodge or Chrysler vehicle needs to be checked and neutral make sure you set the parking brake
Best video I've seen. Very well explained and full of information. Keep it up.. Congrats.
Thanks!
what if my user manual says I dont need to change/flush the transmission fluid? its the case of my chevy cruze 2014
Thanks for educating me!
Of course!
Never ever use paper towel to check a transmission, that paper and lint will accumulate and cause pluggage
i'm confused. at 9:03 you said that the new fluid is going to CLEAN... but at 9:11 you said it's going to cause the passages to get CLOGGED UP can you please enlighten me?
Some vehicles (Ford Expedition) has a drain plug on torque converter.
Wowwww, best auto service video I’ve ever seen! Well done. Definitely subscribed. My 2017 is kicking just a little (30K miles bought it new). Only does it before the car warms up, then it shifts perfectly. Also, it’s not throwing any codes. WTH could it be??
On old Ford C6 transmissions, you can drain the torque converter. It's difficult to get it rotated so that you can access the drain bolt, but it's doable. I did a fluid change on my 1985 E350 with the original C6 transmission in mid 2020. It had been serviced at least once before, because the fluid was still pretty well red and it had the 4WD filter in it. You can have a 4WD filter in RWD but not RWD filter in a 4WD, due to pan dept difference. But anyway I did the TC drain too. It hasn't hurt the old transmission any thankfully. I put on an aftermarket pan with a drain bolt so I can easily do future pan drain and partial fluid replacements as easily as a motor oil change. I replaced the filter with a new RWD one while I had the pan off too. It's on a motorhome with a 6.9L turbo diesel engine so it gets worked pretty hard. It has the factory trans cooler, so that helps.
Hi Chris, would it still be okay to flush/change if the fluid looks like your middle example? (possibly darker) I have a 1983 dodge van and I don't have the maintenance history or manual.... Any suggestions if I should change or flush the system considering? A note that might be useful - The transmission can be "clunky" sounding and the van shakes shifting through gears, it's the worst when it's colder and when shifting to reverse. Your advice would be very helpful! And I'd like to thank you for all your videos. I have been learning so much!!
If the fluid is just to the point where its not pink now, should we go ahead and change the fluid as its only at 103k miles but its starting to slip between 1st and 2nd
Problem with flushing out the trans is that if it's not running through all the gears, including downshifts, all the junk can accumulate in the VB in the valves/solenoids not being used. also if you have a front to back lube feed it could clog and gunk up the rear sprag. Back to front feed could clog the oil pump feed passages in the forward pump. With rans fluid that's burnt, it's always best to rebuild the unit, otherwise and you could have bigger problems than when you started.
yo tengo una f150 2002 4x4 y la transmisión estaba mal al cambiar el aceite encontré partes de discos tapando el filtro por ello no entraban los cambios, mejor mucho al cambiar aceite ya son 20000km de ello y aun funciona no muy bien pero aun se puede manejar
if its dark brown but doesnt smell burtnt?
Todos los aceites caducan y pierden sus propiedades de lubricación, incluso los nuevos en el almacén. Entonces de ahí la importancia de cambiar el aceite. Muy buen video amigo!.
I have a sealed transmission but in the manual there’s nothing about it and my question is, what product i use in that case??
I'm glad I watched this video. I been waiting to change it. Mow that I have the finances I won't do anything other then save up for a new clutch then do the new fluid
i do transmission maintenance on my Honda supra Toyota civic and Volkswagen mustang
Awesome info great work so many meths i had accord 2004 model tl facing prob lacking in shifting jerking any one help me
@ChrisFix will do this and let u know thanks for ur advice
I spoke to a friend that has done a lot of work on Acuras and this is what he recommended: - Change the external filter - Drain the fluid and get it analyzed by Blackstone Labs (goo.gl/Q99LT7) - Do 3 drain and fills a week apart from each other using Honda/Acura transmission fluid - Drive around for 2000 miles and then get another Blackstone analysis done to see the difference with the new fluid - Do a drain and fill every 10,000 miles going forward He was saying that some of the clutches are wearing out so if you can do this and catch it in time, you should be able to get plenty more miles out of it, but these transmissions are known to fail sometimes and yours could potentially fail and need replacement as well. Let me know what happens!
Thanks for sharing I've certainly learnt Alot from watching your videos. Thank you! 😊👍
@ChrisFix awesome!! Unfortunately the SUV we purchased 4 months ago did not have a Manuel so it's been a trial an error learning about this particular vehicle 🤔 however they are available at a cost, the basics, is OK but when it comes down to the heart of the vehicle? Totally different ball game. I found we don't have a transmission stick, it's sealed in as similar to your video. Things like this I had no idea. But I will keep viewing your videos 👍👍 which I save and refer back too.
I'm glad you've learned a lot from the videos! Thanks a lot!
Good information. Thank you.
Of course!
How does a transmission slip feel like?
It would feel slow to respond or harsh when going to change gears!
I want to buy a 2010 Honda Civic with an automatic transmission that has 119,000 miles from a lady on Facebook. The vehicle is in mint condition and she services the car a lot. Only thing that caught my attention is that the transmission fluid was a darker brownish color but it drives beautiful. Is there a possibility that since it drives normal and it’s that color that it could be a underlying problem? She’s the only owner to the car and she never changed the fluid at all since day 1.
I just priced a trans filter change at big o they wanted over 300 dollars I did it myself for 100
so if my fluids basically black should i just do a change?
I stopped at 1:30 to write this. You may answer this in the rest of it. You talk about automatic transmissions. Is this information the same for manual transmissions? Thanks. I think your channel is the best. :)
Thank you for the time you spend explaining your subject
Could someone tell ne what does flushing mean, when it come to transmission oil?
Means to flush 100% of the fluid, but can't be done at home.
Lot of smart people on here. So 180 000 kms on a cvt 2012 Nissan Rogue. Never been changed. Fluid looks not great but not burnt. Drain and fill or just leave it? I’m gettin antsy...
"Lifetime fluid" means the lifetime of the transmission, which is not going to be 100,000 miles. When the warranty is up on the car, the lifetime is up.
Hi Chris, I have a Mazda cx7 2011, never changed transmission fluid. Reason being was that I just didn't know you had to change that, so after about 150000 km, I asked the garage to do it, and as the owner is a friend he actually told me if you do it now you will damage the transmission because of the metallic pieces inside than can clog or as you described in this video. So now I'm at 250000 km, what do I do ? Is it hopeless for me? At this point I'm running the transmission till it does ? Or sooner or later it will need a rebuild ?
I'm scared to look at the condition at this point, this is the longest running car I've ever had figured I'd change by now. At least now I know if I get a new car that transmission fluid will be flushed periodically. Thx again
Depends on the condition, but most likely the pieces inside the transmission are what's holding it together now. Most likely, you'll have to run it into the ground and get a new one or see if you can rebuild this one. If you can check the condition of the fluid I would do so!
Hi Chris a really informative video i have learned a lot from you and your awesome videos since i have started watching it . But this is what i need so if could help me please decide. I have 2015 corolla second user and the transmission oil never been changed since bought and now it’s above 200,000 kilometers. What do you recommend me to do?
@ChrisFix yes i can there’s a dipstick and it’s looking too good to be honest and it lost some of its viscosity, although my transmission doesn’t have any problems. At least not yet 😅 but yeah the last 3 times i changed my engine oil the worker say to me that i have to consider changing my transmission oil. So what do you recommend me to do ?
Are you able to check the condition of the fluid?
Love ur video, thanks 👍
I have a question because even an old mechanic told me not to change the fluid in my transmission. I bought the truck at 113k and it's a 20 year old truck, the fluid had never been changed so it won't destroy the transmission if I swap fluid??
What is the condition of the fluid now?
How does a manual driven Mazda 3 2007 work is it the same
Since my truck under warranty I should have it changed. If it's messed it up I'm covered.
Excellent video Chris!
it really sucks cause my car has never had a trans fluid change and now its 215k miles in. just waiting for the trans to go bad to do a complete swap...
Very informative. Getting ready to change my 2007 BMW X3 transmission with 112K (with unknown previous service). Shifts great- no problems.....PRAYING it looks good. Thanks for putting together this great video!
Thx
5:00 Thank me later