Repair shops won't flush my trans. fluid

[markymarc2u]

I've got 170,00 miles on a 06 Nissan Pathfinder. Last flush was 60k at the dealership with Nissan Matic fluid. Over the years, have checked fluid very reguarly - always a reddish tint, and not a single transmission issue, not even a hiccup.

As of the last week or so, the reddish hue has gone. The fluid isn't dark, doesn't smell burnt, and the fluid level hasn't dropped, so I thought I'd get it flushed. Yes, should have done this 50,000 miles ago.

Nissan dealership and two indy shops told me they won't touch my vehicle unless I sign a waiver, and i should just drive it until it dies, as they will be liable if the transmission fails with the new fluid.

I have zero transmission issues - the car shifts perfectly. I'm not ready to give this vehicle up, it's always been such a reliable, problem-free ride.

What is the likelyhood of transmisison failure after a flush? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Marc

[VStar650CL]

If the fluid is just brown but not muddy and there are no symptoms, I'd say go ahead and change it. If it's muddy that's different, chances are the mud is holding the seals in the valve body together.

[Mike W.]

IMO, and many but certainly not all concur, a drain and fill is fine but a flush is not. There seems to be a big difference. I also think feel is kind of more important than appearance, although a burnt odor is obviously bad, but it should feel smooth and slippery like oil, if it feels gritty, that's bad and even high mileage I'd change it, you don't want grit in there. But change, don't flush.

[VStar650CL]

IMO, and many but certainly not all concur, a drain and fill is fine but a flush is not. There seems to be a big difference. I also think feel is kind of more important than appearance, although a burnt odor is obviously bad, but it should feel smooth and slippery like oil, if it feels gritty, that's bad and even high mileage I'd change it, you don't want grit in there. But change, don't flush.

+1, unless the shop doing it has a fluid exchange machine which flushes by taking the old stuff out the cooler pressure port while putting new in through the return port. Those are harmless. Back-flushing on a transmission that age is a bad idea.