Mechanic told me today I need to change it. Is it possible in 20K miles car (never been on track)

 

I wouldn't change it yet myself. If you don't do city driving all the time, let it go until 45-50K and you'd be more than safe.

 

Was it implied that you personally do it? Or was he saying it needs to be changed as in give me more money? Owners manual says under normal conditions the auto trannys should be serviced at 50k.

 

Considering that I was there to change oil, he had no doubts I will give him money.

 

Of course it's possible. You may want to get a second opinion, or check it yourself. Transmission fluid should be pink or red in color. Signs of trouble are brownish or rusty color. Also smell it. If it smells burned (like toast) at all it should be flushed. Of course things like metallic dust in it etc. are signs of trouble. Unfortunately there are dishonest people in the automotive service industry who just want to take your money. These people exist in every business I've ever seen. There are plenty of honest people too who are trying to inform you of how best to care for your vehicle.

Abe

 

it wouldnt hurt to change it but it probably doesnt need to be done.



id get it flushed when you have it changed.



under normal conditions which most of us on here dont drive normally trans fluid is good for 30k.

 

yeah 30k is good, with the ammsoil stuff, at least 50k.

 

50k miles is for people that drive like and 80 y/o elderly person. I would suggest 30K for most people, so 20K is possible but if you dont drive like me highly unlikely. An experienced nose will tell you though, and like the other guy said, it should be VERY clear RED. Pink is actually a sign of water contamination and it will look like a strawberrry milkshake (thick). Best info I can give you is pull the stick and check the color and contamination on a white paper towel. If you have gray sooty material on it (normal wear unless excessive) get it flushed out, but only at a transmission shop. Im warning you now because I have seen too many general repair shops fu<k transmissions up using flush machines improperly. Ask to see the machine and for a sample of the old fluid.

 

the machine i saw had a alarm telling you when the trans was getting empty and when to shut it down.

 

theres all kinds of machines out there. I personally used a BG flush machine on mine with thier chemicals. The pre-flush cleaner is like an alcohol based product which loosens the deposits. I dumped it in when it was hot and drove it around the block making sure to hit all gears a couple times then did the flush. Afterwards theres a conditioner to add which is like a gear lube consistency. This was when my car was stock BTW. When it eventually did break, shortly after I put the cammed bolt on engine in, I tore it down and found the tranny to be very clean, and the only reason it burned up the 3-4 clutches was because the aluminum piston cracked and wasn't holdin enough pressure. Everythin else was re-useable if I wanted, but I beefed her up that point.
The BG machine runs off the internal trans pump, and therefore prevents from overpressurizing anything as where ones with thier own pump can damage seals, and this is what I have seen personally, on a 93 escort with amlost no miles on it, and it worked perfect b4 they touched it. Maybe it was the moron tech that messed up, maybe it was the machine. All I know is it worked fine b4 hand, then didnt move at all after the flush, lol. Thats when they sent it over to us. Internals were fine, including clutches, just needed re-seal everything.

 

I would much rather change it too soon than too late...

20k miles sounds reasonable. Go for it.

 

If ya get it "serviced" the pan comes off to change the pickup filter and should be washed at that time. Don't get caught up in all the flushing gadgets and all the other stuff they have to charge ya more money.