Transmission fluid flush or replace?
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emmettotto
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:50 am
- Car: 2001 Infiniti QX4
Transmission fluid flush or replace?
Should I be "flushing" or "replacing" the transmission fluid on my '01 QX4?. It's got 123,000 mi on it, and I've had no trouble with the transmission...just curious as I hear people talking about these services and I'm not a car guru. thanks!
Re: Transmission fluid flush or replace?
I don't think a transmission "flush" actually applies as they don't pump cleaning chemicals into the system.
No matter the method, some old fluid is going to mix with new fluid. Even the machine that connects to the cooler line is going to pump new fluid into the transmission that is going to mix with the old before the transmission pumps more out. I tried this myself with a bucket and hoses.. First two quarts were total nasty, by third new quart added to system I could see that new fluid was already mixing in with the old.
My goal is to drain a large amount of fluid, replace, run till the mixture is mixed, then repeat untill you see that the fluid is clear.
The drain plug is easy to access and certainly something people do themselves. Consider buying 4-5 gallons of fluid and just repeating the drain.fill, drive for a min using every gear, drain again. Standard Dex/Merc fluid runs $16 a gallon feel free to buy premium stuff for the final refill if you prefer. just get as much of that old fluid out as you can.
Be sure to follow the FSM for checking level.. Stuff like engine needs to be running are important to make sure you don't do it wrong.
No matter the method, some old fluid is going to mix with new fluid. Even the machine that connects to the cooler line is going to pump new fluid into the transmission that is going to mix with the old before the transmission pumps more out. I tried this myself with a bucket and hoses.. First two quarts were total nasty, by third new quart added to system I could see that new fluid was already mixing in with the old.
My goal is to drain a large amount of fluid, replace, run till the mixture is mixed, then repeat untill you see that the fluid is clear.
The drain plug is easy to access and certainly something people do themselves. Consider buying 4-5 gallons of fluid and just repeating the drain.fill, drive for a min using every gear, drain again. Standard Dex/Merc fluid runs $16 a gallon feel free to buy premium stuff for the final refill if you prefer. just get as much of that old fluid out as you can.
Be sure to follow the FSM for checking level.. Stuff like engine needs to be running are important to make sure you don't do it wrong.
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Buzzman
- Posts: 2079
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:35 pm
- Car: 2016 Lexus RX 350
2023 Kia Stinger Elite V6 AWD.
Re: Transmission fluid flush or replace?
My experiences with transmission flushes (using those machines) has been on the negative side.
Personally, I wouldn't do it ever again, but that's just me.
I would do what Slumpert suggests. Drain and fill, and repeat if necessary.
Personally, I wouldn't do it ever again, but that's just me.
I would do what Slumpert suggests. Drain and fill, and repeat if necessary.
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emmettotto
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:50 am
- Car: 2001 Infiniti QX4
Re: Transmission fluid flush or replace?
Thanks you guys,,,I was leaning toward the drain/fill..and you've convinced me!