How often do you guys change your TRANNY / Transmission fluid?

How often do you guys change your TRANNY / Transmission fluid?


Post your YR, Model & Trim.


i did mine in my 02 1500 ST at 50k/3yr mark.

02 QCLB 4.7 SLT every 30k

is it really true, if you dont change it before 100k, dont do it at all?

I've read that when you get that high on miles that you shouldn't get your transmission flushed by that machine because all it does is releases built up debris and goes all through your transmission.

I try to get the job done every 30K but it ends up closer to 45K.

04 Ram 2500 Hemi with just over 36,000 miles on the clock. I had it done at 30,000 (along with the rest of the "30,000 Mile Hemi Tune").

Every 25K miles. 2001 Ram 2500 Cummins

Are you guys doing a tranny flush, tranny change with filters, or full change with converter and all?

I picked up my truck from my dad, who did the tranny flush with the machine at 45k. Now it has 102k and I'm thinking I should drop the pan, change the fluid, change the filters, and then drain the converter.

Before I took the truck to the dealer, I got a BG Transmission treatment. It’s a two part system treatment. You put one can in and drive it for a day or two. I took the truck to the dealer and had them flush the system then drop the pan to change the filter. While they had the pan off, they check and adjusted the transmission. After everything was back together, they did a flash update to the computer and test drove it around the area. I also had the dealer add a can BG Transmission conditioner before I left the dealership. It’s time to do it all again but I’ve lost my good service writer and I’m thinking I’ll have to change dealerships to get the job done right.

I'm a once a year guy here, along with the diff's & transfer case. I ask a lot from this truck, & will not except excuses. If spending a few extra dollars here or there gives me the confidence, then its money well spent. If the truck was a daily driver & not used as a TRUCK then I think 30,000 would be sufficient. I also swear by AMSOIL products.

Originally Posted by ultimate ram

I also swear by AMSOIL products.

Me too!

Originally Posted by tctwg

I've read that when you get that high on miles that you shouldn't get your transmission flushed by that machine because all it does is releases built up debris and goes all through your transmission.

so what about high miles doing a pan drop and fliud change?

Sorry, but I can't vote in your poll as I change it at 15,000 miles. It may be a little premature, but I ask alot of this 545rfe. I regularly tow a fifth wheel on 6% to 9% mountain grades in temperatures over 100 degrees in the Arizona summer heat. I work it pretty hard, so I figure that the least I can do is to try and keep fresh fluid in it.

A little off topic, how much is amsoil 5w30 a quart or by the jug? Also how much is their diff fluid?

Originally Posted by ehoez

so what about high miles doing a pan drop and fliud change?

the theory is that if you change all the old fluid the new fluid at such high mileage, you will "shock" the transmission since it was used to the dirty old fluid and it will never shift the same. alot of old time mechanics use this theory. im not sure if it applies to new transmission of today though.

if you only change out half of the fluid, its not an issue. i was told not to pump out the torque converter for this reason. i only drop the pan and change the filters. its alot less messy and i really dont see going through the hassle of pumping out the torque converter. after 10k miles on a pan drop, all the old fluid has mixed with the new fluid and its still cherry red.

you should change the fluid every 30k and the filters every 60k, or at least i was told. but unless you have a drain plug in the oil pan, you might as well change the filters while your in there every 30k.

Originally Posted by DannyMK2

the theory is that if you change all the old fluid the new fluid at such high mileage, you will "shock" the transmission since it was used to the dirty old fluid and it will never shift the same. alot of old time mechanics use this theory. im not sure if it applies to new transmission of today though.

if you only change out half of the fluid, its not an issue. i was told not to pump out the torque converter for this reason. i only drop the pan and change the filters. its alot less messy and i really dont see going through the hassle of pumping out the torque converter. after 10k miles on a pan drop, all the old fluid has mixed with the new fluid and its still cherry red.

you should change the fluid every 30k and the filters every 60k, or at least i was told. but unless you have a drain plug in the oil pan, you might as well change the filters while your in there every 30k.

I was planning on flushing my torque converter. The truck has 102k on it right now and it was flushed by a machine at 44k (previous owner). I planned to drop the pan, drain fluid, change filters, and drain converter. After reading your post, I'm not sure. The only thing that bothers me, is that the fluid has been in there for about 60k. Should I just start doing the 30k changes with the 5-6 quarts and let it cycle through? Either way I'll do the filters.

BTW - The transmission runs great right now, I just want to be on the safe side.

Originally Posted by mfifield

I was planning on flushing my torque converter. The truck has 102k on it right now and it was flushed by a machine at 44k (previous owner). I planned to drop the pan, drain fluid, change filters, and drain converter. After reading your post, I'm not sure. The only thing that bothers me, is that the fluid has been in there for about 60k. Should I just start doing the 30k changes with the 5-6 quarts and let it cycle through? Either way I'll do the filters.

BTW - The transmission runs great right now, I just want to be on the safe side.

i would think you should be fine to pump out the torque converter at 60k miles since you last change. i think that theory applies to transmissions that have over 100k and havent been touched. i dont see the need for torque converter flushes though.

Originally Posted by DannyMK2

i would think you should be fine to pump out the torque converter at 60k miles since you last change. i think that theory applies to transmissions that have over 100k and havent been touched. i dont see the need for torque converter flushes though.

Wouldn't the new 5-6qts mix in with the old dirty fluid in the converter?

If your fluid is brown or burnt smelling you need to change it all, although damage may have already been done. My theory is to drop the pan and change 5-6 quarts every 25-30k miles and keep it fresh.

I just bought 6 quarts. I had 14 quarts (all they had at Walmart) in my cart, but then decided to just do the pan change every 30k. Besides I looked at my current fluid and it was a light red, without any burn smell.