I have been reading some threads about changing ATF on high mileage cars and it destroying the trans. My car has a little over 97k miles and I'm going to be installing a 3600 stall within the next month. I went out today and looked at the trans fluid and it's still a nice clean pink color. I don't know if the fluid has been changed before since I just got the car a little over a year ago, but my guess would be it has. Should I be ok since there will be all new fluid in the trans, even in the converter with this many miles?

 

as long as its still pink and does not smell burnt then you are okay to change the fluid.

 

Its only a problem when the transmission is **** and being masked by the horrible fluid being so bad that it actually helps the clutches grab, if yours is pink and clean then no worries. You should be just fine..

If it makes you feel any better I drained my transmission, changed the filter, and put in a empty 3400 stall with 150k on my transmission (point is I change ALL the fluid), here we are at 173k and my trans is still working PERFECTLY.

 

With a stall, I recommend changing fluid once a year. Cheap insurance to keep the trans healthy.

 

X2... People would be amazed what an auto will take and how long it will last if you just change the fluid. But thats the problem, nobody ever does then wonders why their transmission went to hell. Thats coming from being in the auto service industry over 10 years...

 

Once I get the stall in I was planning on changing the fluid every year. Should I flush it every year or just change the fluid in the pan?

 

I would say its more dependant on mileage, if you do it at a higher mileage say over 25k before a change I would recommend a flush, but if its every 10-15k a drain and fill should be sufficient. BUT a flush it is actually better becuase its ALWAYS better to change all the fluid than half the fluid... ( i know you know, just saying )

For general driving in stock vehicles the mileage interval can be much higher and you can get by with drain and fills at 30-50k or so. But in our cars, the way we drive them, and heat building stall converters, we should flush them regularly.

Also make sure to add a trans cooler it will really help the trans life, besides the fact that the added slip from the converter promotes higher ATF temps.

EDIT: NM just saw trans cooler in your sig

 

Alright, thanks for the replies everyone. I always like to do as much research before I do anything to my car.