Transmission fluid change

I took my truck to get the transmission fluid changed (not flushed) and the mechanic told me he wouldn’t advise changing it because he things it could potentially cause issues. It’s 180k miles and I don’t know the last time it’s been changed. Fluid doesn’t look too dark and it smells okay. Not super burnt but semi questionable. What do you guys think? It’s a little low and he told me to just top it off instead

 

I’d just do a drain and refill, autos have a filter too I think?

 

Drain it, and fill it.

New fluid does NOT cause issues.
The issue was already there if it does.
(or you didn't fill it correctly)

 

Drop the pan and clean the magnets, then refill, drive 3months, and drain/refill again. Do a drain/refill 3 months later and you should have nice clean fluid. Add a bottle of LubeGuard too.

 

Did he say not to change your engine oil as well? I mean, the same reasoning would apply....right?
Anyway, clearly not a good choice to not change fluids, they are meant to be changed due to oil breakdown.
I wouldn't go super crazy dropping the pan but I would change the fluid.

 

If anything bad happens to the transmission after he touches it, he'll get blamed. 300 bucks for a transmission service isn't worth the risk when a new unit costs thousands.

I don't necessarily agree with it but I understand why some shops refuse

You could argue back and forth about the actual likelihood of a failure, but it doesn't matter if you're not the one paying the bill.

And yes I agree it's kind of an outdated concern, transmissions don't fail like they used to back in the 80s and 90s

 

Drain and refill will not cause any harm. If that’s what your mechanic’s telling you, it’s time to find a new mechanic.

I drain and fill once a year regardless of mileage and change the filter every 3 years.

 

At those miles I would just dump it and refill. Some shops don't like to drain old autos under the belief that the friction material from the clutches is suspended in the fluid and it will start slipping. And that can be a thing I suppose but I would change it. You don't have 300K on the same oil.

 

Certainly a simple drain and refill would change some of the fluid, but on my truck I would not be satisfied with that. Kinda like doing half the job.

 

I just performed a flush as shown in this timmy the toolman video and the transmission is shifting much smoother. It was pretty inexpensive, even buying the clear containers and really easy. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RumPXivBlk8

 

next flush add a bottle of LubeGuard and see what happens, you think it shifts smooth now.

 

I didn't mention that I did add 10 oz of lubeguard during the top off.

 

Just do it a few times. Works well.

 

I meant dropping the pan

 

Yeah, that only gets about half of it out, give it take.