200K Mile Automatic Transmission Club

[keith]

1999 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L + 4 speed auto. About 210K miles when traded in 2009, shifted like new, engine used zero oil between changes. Changed ATF+3 to ATF+4 early on and added an ATF cooler and external filter. Fluid exchange every 50K miles. Engine ran a Trasko filter and always synthetic oil.

1990 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon, 220K miles. Transmission was good until the radiator broke inside and antifreeze got into the transmission; it died instantly. Put in another from a 1994 940 Turbo with 170K miles.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Quote:

I used to have some regular seat time with a 46RE and do remember what you're talking about. I always thought the 46RE's normal shift from 3rd to overdrive was just bizarre with its rapid unlock-shift-relock sequence, but hey... it works and works well


I recall that was for durability...upshifting with the TCC locked tended to break parts.


I think that's exactly correct. Since the TC clutch in most transmissions is just a single plate, it has a pretty limited torque holding capability and the transmissions are all programmed to release it if the engine torque gets close to the TCC holding limit. Even the old hydraulic-brained transmissions of the 70s and 80s would do that based on the vacuum modulator (Ford/GM) or throttle position lever (Chrysler). And also releasing during shifts would prevent the torque spike of slowing down the crankshaft from damaging the TCC.

Modern transmissions now have beefier clutches on the TC lock though, and with computers running the throttle plate to limit the torque spike during a shift it can stay locked under certain conditions. Another difference I've noticed is that older transmission controllers would always release the TCC when you lifted your foot off the gas, even if you were just slowing from 70 mph to 60 mph. Then when you pressed on the gas again, the RPM would flare and THEN the TCC would re-lock. Newer ones will hold the TCC engaged regardless of throttle lift above a certain speed so that the RPM flare and TCC wear when you get back on the gas is eliminated.

When you stop and think about it, electronic controls are REALLY saving wear on automatics these days. If they still built them like brick outhouses the way the old A727, TH400, and C6 were built, they'd last a million miles with electronic protection also.

 

[blakegeo]

1997 Town Car--traded at 232,000 miles changed fluid every 50k w/ mobil-1 AFT. Never a problem and worked perfectly when traded

 

[RPMster]

I just ran across this thread in the PCMO forum regarding engines lasting to 300K+ miles:

300,000mi+ vehicles...what model car & oil?

These 2 threads would seem to compliment each other nicely.

 

[chevman4life]

My old vehicle, gave to parents. I retired it at 201k

1995 Chevy Suburban, 350 V8, 3:73 rear end

219,540 miles

Fluid was not changed until 140k then 50k intervals after that

Currently using Valv Maxlife Dex/Merc

 

[demarpaint]

93 Aerostar 211,000 miles and counting. Original transmission, serviced every 30,000-35,000 miles. Severe Service NY use, still going strong. Many said those transmissions wouldn't last, this proved them wrong. Its a shame the engine oil pan rotted through, that looks like its going to be the ticket to the junkyard.

 

[stranger706]

Dad's 88 Volvo 740 wagon. Bought new, sold it 8 or 10 years ago with 250,000 miles on original engine and transmission. Nothing but fluid/filter changes. Towed a 3500lb boat every weekend as well. The rest of the car was falling apart.

 

[jjcom]

My 96 Grand Prix is at 214,000 miles and counting on the original 4T60-E. The previous owner had the transmission serviced every 50k miles at a Pennzoil quick lube, which near as I can tell was a flush/fluid exchange. When I got the car at 130,000 miles I had it serviced at a local repair shop, which also did a fluid exchange. I know that was just Advance brand Dex/Merc fluid. I then started working at that shop and went ahead and did another fluid exchange around 146ishk miles, with MaxLife. It developed a slip into a second gear, which I then serviced it again at around 150k miles with a bottle of lucas added in. The problem pretty well went away. I serviced it again using Seafoam transtune for a cleaning phase, then ran Maxlife through it, and added a bottle of lucas again at around 180k miles. I dropped the pan and changed the filter at 205kish miles. It still had the factory gasket (in good shape too!) and factory filter in it. Refilled with Maxlife and a bottle of lucas. It still shifts good as new. I wouldn't doubt it going another 100k miles.

 

[MaximaGuy]

00 Maxima with 210 K miles with drain/fills. Tried all kinds of ATF on the vehicle speced to DexIII. Other than the transmission and engine (though replacing coils every 100K miles) the vehicle was a [censored] from a reliability stdpt.

My friend had a Toyo 4R and it had 365K on original transmission and diff. Quite unbelievable but he always serviced it at his dealership but he didn't know the transmission service he was unsure what made my assume it could have been serviced a few times but no where to 30K preventive sch maintainece.

Impressed by his vehicle reliability, I went ahead and bought a toyo highlander and I must say the AW transmissions are a dream and I have done drains/fills only -- the drained fluid is as good as the new fluid. Become a true Toyo believer.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
93 Aerostar 211,000 miles and counting. Original transmission, serviced every 30,000-35,000 miles. Severe Service NY use, still going strong. Many said those transmissions wouldn't last, this proved them wrong. Its a shame the engine oil pan rotted through, that looks like its going to be the ticket to the junkyard.


In some cases "they" were right. When Ford first introduced the Aerostar for the 86 model year the A4LD transmission WAS very weak. I had an 87 Aerostar that was going through transmissions about every 1 - 2 years.
After doing a lot of reading especially on some Ford forums I found that Ford "beeped" up the transmissions in the models after 88 or 89 - I don't remember exactly when.

Like you I changed the fluid in mine every 30K miles (give or take a few K) and have never had a transmission problem. I'm currently over 200K also. My van is the extended length with the 4.0 V6 which puts out a few more horses than my 87 with the 3.0 did - of course at the expense of reduced MPG.

 

[kschachn]

The Toyota Sienna in my sig has required no repairs yet, only 45,000 mile (give or take) cooler line exchanges with M1 ATF. I have dropped the pan most of the times and there is always only a minimum of grey clutch material in the pan bottom and almost no metal on the magnets. It still shifts normally.

This car does have the towing package with the aux transmission cooler which I think has been a big help in keeping it running properly. But I also credit the M1 ATF which IMHO is a great fluid (also in my BMW and the Honda now, the ECHO is a manual with Amsoil).

 

[VicVinegar]

Just rolled over 200k today. Think I'm at 200,031 in the garage.

2000 Honda Civic EX 4AT

Bought it when it was 2 years old with 16k miles.

I was a reckless college student and then young adult. So it has seen its fluid changed all of twice. Once at about 80k at a Jiffy Lube with who knows what in a "flush". Then again at about 175k with a proper drain and fill 3x's with DW-1.

When cold it shifts a little hard 1-2, but it promptly goes away once it warms up. Other than that, it runs like it always has.

 

[oily boyd]

212,XXX on my 2009 Camry (2.4L, 5 speed auto)

30,000 mile interval on simple drain and refill with Toyota WS ATF.

Still shifts as new!

Only repairs to car: rear brakes/rotors and drivers front wheel bearing.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR

- year/make/model: 19914 Lexus LS4000

- number of miles driven so far: 280+k miles

- fluid/filter change interval: Every 3-4 years, fluid only with Mityvac fluid extractor, added 10oz Lubegard Red on last change about 2 years ago. Filter changed once at around 120-130k miles.

- ATF used: Toyota Type II, then Castrol Import Multi Vehicles.


Update: The car had more than 300k miles now, will siphon ATF this weekend with Mityvac 7201, replace with cheap SuperTech Dexron III.

 

[KrisZ]

Wow, nice mileages out of those slush boxes!
Just goes to show you that regular maintenence goes a long way.

BTW. I'm half way there with my Mazda 3.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: oily boyd
212,XXX on my 2009 Camry
Holy seat time Batman! My @$$ hurts just thinking about it.

 

[BISCUT]

1997 Ford Explorer 5-Speed Auto. 2 Trans services at 75k and 150k. Sold it at 205 or 212k cant recall exact mileage. it was over 200k.

 

[bmwtechguy]

1991 Caprice 305 with 700R4/4L60E unit (can't remember now which one it was called that year). Bought car with about 120k miles on it and fluid had never been touched. Did one complete flush with some Dex III for a couple thousand miles, then installed a full-size aux cooler and at the same time did another complete flush and pan drop/filter change with Amsoil synthetic ATF, along with a magnefine filter inline. Did not touch it until it was parked at 320k for engine issues. Transmission was still shifting fine and lock-up converter still no problems. Car was used for towing a boat and utility trailers at times and on long trips through the mountains, and fluid still looks new to this day after almost 200k miles continuous use on that fluid.

Had a similar experience on FWD 94 Buick Lesabre, except that transmission was harder on the fluid. With the same Amsoil fluid and cooler and inline filter, the fluid would look and smell somewhat degraded after only 50k miles with zero towing. I attribute the faster aging of the fluid to the higher temps that FWD transmission operated at and the gradual torque converter lock-up that GM went with, sometimes called comfort lock-up. It was harder on the fluid and torque converters I think due to the extended slip time. I bought the Lesabre with 140k from a friend then flushed it with Amsoil and installed a large cooler in front of the ac condenser. Flushed it again at about 210k with Amsoil and it continued trouble-free until someone T-boned it at 287k miles, ending a good, long run.

 

[wolfc70]

Jeez, you guys must be lucky. Every single car I have ever owned, the auto was the failure point.

1993 Grand Caravan, transmission failed at 67k miles. Fluid was changed at dealer at 40K.
1997 Plymouth Breeze, 2 transmission failures before I sold the car with 120k on it. Fluid was changed every 30-40k by dealer. First time it failed was on a trip. Pulled in for gas, when I went to leave, no forward gears. 2nd one failed at 110K, it got stuck in 3rd gear, no reverse, just 3rd.

2000 Dodge Dakota V6, transmission failed at 77K miles, would not shift out of first gear. Fluid was changed at 50k miles by indy mechanic with ATF+3.

2003 Saturn L300,GM 4t45 PCS failed at 44K, replaced PCS and 25k later had a clutch fail.

My friend has a HVAC business and has a fleet of Express/Savannah vans. All 2004-2008, all 2500 with the 4.8l v8 and the 4l60e. Every single one has had a transmission failure before 120k miles.

Lesson learned, no more automatics for me. Every vehicle I have owned with a manual, has never once had a transmission issue. Most have made it to 200k with minimal drivetrain issues.

 

[2James1]

2000/ Pontiac/ Sunfire
278,xxx miles
Bought it at 90,000 miles only time it was changes to my knowledge is at 200k (fluid and filter)
Dexron VI before ...Maxlife currently...its leaking
It is the 3-speed auto...my understanding is 4-speed auto was an option that year