30-35K mile transmission service. Not neccessary?

Bought my 99 3.4 Auto from the original owner who always had the tranny serviced between 30-50k miles at the dealership. Currently its been roughly 35K since it was last done and I contacted a local dealer who said that they wanted roughly $400 for the service. They stated it was not recommended to do unless the truck is towing a lot and even then only around 80-100,000 mile intervals. I've seen many people here servicing or having their tranny serviced lot more regularly than this and certainly closer to the 30-50K interval I had in mind. Am i correct in thinking that its better to do so or is the service department at this dealership more in line. They wanted $400 and obviously didn't feel i needed to spend the money which is a good thing I suppose. The previous services that were done along with a power steering flush came out out to around $333, albeit at a different dealer in a different state. Truck has 196,000 and has always had great maintenance done. Are the 30-50K service guys just being overly anal and/or cautious? What is the majority doing with this service?

 

I did just pan drains every 30k miles, real easy to do

 

Is there a filter/screen inside that needs replaced when dropping the pan? How many quarts do you usually get out of the system?

 

Check the fluid via dipstick.

If the fluid is questionable, just drain, turn on, cycle through gears, drain more while you add new stuff, etc. Repeat until all fluid is new.

If it's been awhile, I'd recommend replacing the filter as well.

Easy to do as all you have to do is drain the fluid, undo some bolts, and drop the pan.

 

its been almost 30 years since i did something like that as a lubeTech, thanks for the blast from the past
and that service then cost iirc about $40, for a tech making a generous $5.50 an hour + sales commisssions (i got all giddy when i saw a 4x4 coming in the lot)

 

The factory doesn't recommend "servicing" the trany (fluid change) at any interval, let alone every 30k miles.

They only say to "inspect" it, but no need to change it, unless it needs it.

 

There's the old way, service (fluid and filter) every 60-80,000 (give or take, depending on driving style).

There's the new way, lifetime fill. When they say 'lifetime fill' they are not talking about the lifetime of the vehicle. They are talking about the lifetime of the transmission, which, if never serviced, can be as short as 100,000 miles.

For vehicles that you are planning on keeping for more than 100,000 miles we recommend a regular service interval, regardless of what the manufacturer of the vehicle says. If you purchased a used vehicle that has north of 100k and has never had a trans service, let it ride. Putting fresh fluid in a high miles transmission *that has never been serviced* can actually lead to failure. In this scenario you are in for the 'lifetime fill'.

 

Thanks everyone. Like I said the tranny had been serviced since new roughly every 50,000 miles and when pouring through lots of posts here you come across some that service their trucks at what seems like extreme levels like the 30K interval. With the transmission being serviced roughly 35,000 miles ago, I will wait another 50-70K to service provided I still own the truck at that point.