automatic transmission service

[captpfd]

To the best of my knowledge my 96 avalon xl has never had the transmission serviced. Do you experts think I should take it to a shop and have the oil drained and replaced or just drive it. I was told and have read that flushing the tranny can cause nasty problems. Thanks.

[golfgod]

Bought my one owner 97 two months ago with 120,000 on it and the tranny fluid was black! Car had lots of service records from the dealership, but none with a tranny fluid change. My buddy is a mechanic and they do the flush with the machine. He recommends that, rather than dropping the pan on an older high mileage car that hasnt been serviced regularly. Less contamination, better job cleaning. Says clean, fresh fluid will not damage your tranny. The damage is already done, if there is damage. I had him do mine and I've put about 1000 miles on it since, smooth shifts...no slips. So far, so good.

Also had him do a coolant flush, which was black. Since, Ive changed P.S. fluid, brake fluid, front & rear struts, stabilizer bar bushings. plugs & valve cover gasket. A little more money and I'll have a new one!!!!

[sickwilly]

Every oil change for the next three or four, open the drain plug on the tranny pan and change out 3 quarts of fluid, and replace. Do this until the fluid does not look black any more. Some local oil change shops will do this for you for about $25 bucks. Then, just monitor the condition of the fluid. This is much less of a shock to the tranny.

[toyomoho]

Suggest the multiple drain and refill approach as being cheap and easy.

If you leave the fluid in place the trans will surely be damaged over time by the dirty and worn out fluid.