Anyone ever heard not to change the transmission fluid....

[whatchugot12]

...on an older car where the past transmission maintnence is unknown???
Is the flush and fill a good idea on an 184,000 1997 Pathfinder?
Should I substiute Lucas brand transmission fluid while putting in new transmission fluid?

Lastly, what plugs and wires should I replace the old ones with? Thanks Pathy Peoples!!!

[Towncivilian]

No, change it. Old fluid is bad fluid no matter what. If the transmission dies "due to" the new fluid, it was headed for death anyway. Lucas ATF is mediocre at best. I would suggest Valvoline Maxlife. Do a few drain & fills to gently change the fluid.

Plugs & wires: NGK OEM specified BK5RES-11 plugs only, and any reputable manufacturer for wires (NGK, Beck/Arnley, ...). I'm sure others will chime in with their experience with wires.

[Leo1998]

Probably should change the Transmission Filter and pan gasket too.

[whatchugot12]

Ok, thanks for the suggestions. I am curious though about whether to change out the filter after the first, second, or third drain and fill and pan gasket should be replaced when? What's the amount of miles between changes? What should I pay a shop to do 3.fluid drops and fills?

[Slumpert]

Consider doing pan drop first with filter replacement.

If sludge/muck/chunks of metal are in the pan then it would best to know before you just loosen it all up with fresh fluid.

[Buzzman]

I probably shouldn't post this, but my experience with transmission fluid changes or flushes has been a little poor, to say the least.
In 40 plus years of driving (I'm a little older than most of you guys here...lol), every car/truck I've owned that I did a flush or drain on, had a transmission failure shortly after.
Every vehicle that I left alone, never failed.
I am at a 100% failure rate when it comes to fluid changes.
My 2002 Pathfinder has 286,000 KMS on it, and I refuse to change the transmission fluid.
Still runs and shifts like new.
Sorry Town, but that's my experience.

[Leo1998]

I've never taken any of my rigs to those places that do the flush, I have always done it myself by just dropping the pan, change out filter, new gasket, bolt back on, fill transmission tube with fluid, start rig til warm, run through gears and recheck the level. Never had a transmission problem...C6

[jroo]

ive have been told several times and by a very well known family run trans place in town to never flush. I pushed debris into other parts of the transmission and causes failure. I have been told change your fluid, filters, and gaskets, but do flush any thing. They drain old fluid out and replace with new fluid.