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automatic transmission fluid change interval for low mileage
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:39 pm    Post subject: automatic transmission fluid change interval for low mileage Reply with quote

I see 30,000 miles specified, but what if the ATF is say 5 years old with only a few thousand miles on it?

Should the ATF be changed on a time interval as well?
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Changing ATF more often won't be a problem. When you change it, you never get all the fluid out anyway. There is always some in the torque convertor. So more frequent changes will mix with the remaining fluid and eventually be even cleaner.The only downside is fresh fluid may loosen some years of crud and cause problems. That is rare though. You don't have to drop the pan each time, removing the fill tube should get the fluid out. I had a Chevy Suburban I towed a trailer with. While I had the pan off, I welded in a drain plug fitting. Everytime I changed my oil, I'd dump my ATF. The trans was working like new at near 200K when I sold it to the junk yard. Unfortunately, the body was just rusting away.
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right - my question is whether changing ATF less often will be a problem...

i.e. do I need to change it every 2, 3, 5 years? every 10 years? even if the mileage interval has not been reached
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MarkWard
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, every 30,000 miles or 2 years, which ever comes first. I just pulled that out of the air. I think as long as the fluid has a nice look on the dip stick and a pleasant smell, you can continue to use it.
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How wet and humid is it in Nimrod Oregon? If you feel you may be getting moisture building up in the tranny then change it. If not I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I live in the middle of the world's largest rain forest (in a big valley with oak and grassland and some forst around the city). The van sits out in the winter, tho I am not clear if this is what is termed a "condensing atmosphere" re the inside of the trans.

Maybe I should get a sample of ATF tested when I do change it...
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