How often you change your ATF

[M1Accord]

Some cars call for 100k miles interval. I have been changing it every 30k miles or 3 years using the Honda ATF for my Accord. I figure the most important change is the first one as more wear occur intially. If Penzoil ATF could be used, I would probably change it once a year at the same time as my oil.

This is an 02 Accord V6 that manage to escape the claw of Honda automatic transmission woes. The rule of thumb is that if it goes pass 75k miles without a problem then it's not among those affected.

As with changing oil, it feels good knowing fresh life is added to the machinery. The feeling is also awkward since the stuffs coming out is still in great condition.

A flaw Honda has is that they use a lifetime filter and make it extremely hard for DIYer to change it, if that is even a possibility. I like my Corolla ATF filter.

 

[KrisZ]

I do the same, I don't believe in 100,000 mile fluids, even coolants. I drained the ATF on my Mazda at about 12k miles, and did drain and fill every 25-30k. I still have factory filter dough

 

[Eddie]

I usually pick half life. If I intend to sell/trade the vehicle at ~ 120,000 miles then I change the ATF at 60,000. I do only drain & refill only.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Never.
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I dont have an automatic

 

[Kestas]

30K for regular ATF.
60K for synthetic ATF.
I do complete fluid exchanges.

Edit: There may be variables to adjust your schedule such as towing, heavy city or heavy highway driving, 5-, 6-, or 7-speed transmission. More shifts are tougher on the fluid.

 

[sparkplug]

30k.

 

[Carolina19nc]

MM on my 06 Accord called for ATF change at 60k. Checked with dealer, they said it does not have a filter and is important to flush it. Dealer was right around same price as private shops in my area, and I wanted to stick with Honda ATF. It was around $70

 

[db500]

I have a Volvo S70. It doesn't have a transmission filter. The fluid it burnt/brown once you hit 30K. I do a full fluid exchange with SuperTech Dex/Merc fluid. I just hit 300K, and it shifts very smooth.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
30K for regular ATF.
60K for synthetic ATF.
I do complete fluid exchanges.

100% same thing here...

 

[TurboWagon]

2000 Volvo V70XC - 138,000 miles

First transmission flush was done at 60K.
I then did 4 "drain and fills" to get rid of old fluid.
Now I do one drain and fill every other other oil change or so.
It's not very expensive, and it can't hurt...

 

[TWINRAY]

Changing the filter on the Cherokee is sorta a PITA - you have to take the crossmember off. I did the first filter and fluid change at 30K and another just recently at 70K. But at every oil change (which I do at 6 months), I dump the sump and put 4 qts. of fresh fluid in. I'll probably do the next filter change at 100K, which won't be for about another 4 years.

 

[stranger706]

I do drain and refill every 10,000 on the Mazda. Planning on doing the filter at 100,000.

Fluid and filter every 50,000 on the Ford.

 

[calvinnnnnnnnn]

did my first atf fluid @ 31k on my acura tsx. i will probably do it every 20k which about every 2-3 years

 

[ThirdeYe]

Used to do it every 3-6 months in my Integra for the first couple of years after I got it but now I do it once a year with Amsoil ATF.

 

[heypete]

Toyota says my 2006 Camry's ATF is good "for life under normal operating conditions". My Haynes manual says 50,000 miles. I did a ~four quart drain-and-fill at around 52,000 in accordance with the Haynes manual using Toyota T-IV ATF.

Sadly, there's no easy way to drain the whole system. Even so, sticking to the Haynes manual should be reasonably conservative when it comes to fluid intervals.

I might do another in a year or so with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF, but we'll see.

 

[MrHorspwer]

My wife has a Honda transmission in her Saturn Vue. After it started shifting funny at 50,000, I changed the fluid. I will change it again at 100,000... or when the shifting wonks out again.

My other vehicle has Dex VI from the factory. I have no problems letting it go 100,000, when I'll change it per the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[sangyup81]

I like doing drain and fills mainly to clean out the magnet. I could care less about the fluid but since it gets drained, I replace it. Happens maybe every 30k or so but who's counting?

 

[caravanmike]

i change (drain and fill) every other oil change.

 

[ZZman]

30-50,000 miles.

 

[Patman]

I do mine every 50k