timji

Hello, I have a 04 Impala, 40000 miles, GM service says I need the trans. fluid flushed and changed. Some people say don't flush, just change the fluid. Had a flush done on my Lexus ES, no problems. Done with the BG system. Watched the system work, fluid much cleaner. Is it better to have the dealer do it or an local shop do it? Have one shop I have been using. Thanks for any help and input.

Tim

donmateo

I have an 03 with 65k on it now, but at 60k they flushed and did a lot of other stuff. Worked flawless, better than before afterwards. Only reason I'd say dealer is if something gets screwed up, shop may BS their way out of it. Dealer, if they say no, you make a scene. lol

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TSS

One vote for dont flush. The ES has a good tranny, our Impalas don't. (We had a 1994 ES300 from 1994-1997).

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2009 Impala SS (sold 3/2012);
2010 Buick Enclave CXL;
2010 Lincoln MKS AWD Twin Turbo, Livernois Motor Sports tuned, K&N Typhoon CAI, 0-60 in 4.47 seconds



"Trying Times Are Not a Good Time To Quit Trying"

kingnutin

At 40k miles how could it possibly be so bad that it needs flushed already? I would just go with a regular service, and keep it up every 30k.

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

timji

The tech said the fluid had a burnt smell. Car runs tip top, shifts great, just a fluid change sound good? I'll check it out , had a busy day and night. Can't believe everything they say. Thanks for all the input.

Tim

kingnutin

A fluid change and filter change should be fine, a flush means easy money for the tech and for the shop. Smell it for yourself though too, if it smells burnt then it should be changed, no matter if you are at service mileage or not.

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

Tonyman89

I did a tranny flush twice on my 04 Impala at 80K miles while i was a lube tech at a Chevy dealership. Prior to that, I did a regular fluid and filter change with the updated Dexron VI fluid and new GM trans filter. Since I realized that this was only partial, I waited another 8K miles and do another trans fluid and filter (pioneer filter) change with the same Dexron VI fluid. At the same day, I also did a machine flush as well. My first time was a mess as I was inexperienced with using the flush machine. I disconnected the return hose from the flush machine while the car was running because the fluid level was high on the dip stick. Of course I saw a gyser action going after disconnecting the hose. I immediately shut off the motor to stop the jet of ATF coming out of the transmission. After that, i gave up and decide to just top off the fluid. I was playing a guessing game while filling the ATF. The car would delay while engaging into gear as I heard a noise as if it's starving for ATF. To keep it short, I just topped it off until the right level appears. The engine was at operating temperature, by the way. well and the car has 101K miles on it, still getting about 20 MPG in the city, maybe 34 on highway with a/c on.After that I got the fluid reflushed as my experience with using the flush machine got better. Now this time my ATF is good as it is, nice and red with a little bit of black showing on a white paper towel. I guess that "black" stuff is normal wear and tear, right? The car's transmission shifts very well and at 101K original miles and still gets about 21 MPG citywise with A/C running. I haven't driven it on the highway recently, so the mileage might be at 32-35.

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1991 Toyota Corolla DX sedan, 146K miles, no power windows, locks, or seats, 1.6L 4AFE motor, A131 transmission. Daily driver car as of now.

kingnutin

I don't think there is anything bad about doing a flush, but it's usually a waste of money.

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

Tonyman89

Well, since i was an employee at Mac Haik Chevy, I just "borrowed" their ATF supply. So it was free lol

__________________
1991 Toyota Corolla DX sedan, 146K miles, no power windows, locks, or seats, 1.6L 4AFE motor, A131 transmission. Daily driver car as of now.

kingnutin

Yeah, its different when you're paying $100-150 for somebody else to do it!

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

Tonyman89

Yep that's true, but when checking my ATF, I see red fluid on white paper towel with a hint of black friction material on the napkin. I'm guessing that's normal wear and tear, right?

__________________
1991 Toyota Corolla DX sedan, 146K miles, no power windows, locks, or seats, 1.6L 4AFE motor, A131 transmission. Daily driver car as of now.

kingnutin

Yes, the clutches do wear, and the material winds up in the fluid. Most of it gets filtered, but there will be some residue.

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

Tonyman89

And what mileage will the clutched completely just wear out to the point of metal to metal contact?

__________________
1991 Toyota Corolla DX sedan, 146K miles, no power windows, locks, or seats, 1.6L 4AFE motor, A131 transmission. Daily driver car as of now.

kingnutin

Depends on how often you service the trans (more often is better) and how you drive, and how much weight it has to haul around, and luck of the draw. Could be anywhere from 10k miles to 500k miles. Be nice to it, and it should be nice to you.

__________________
1978 Caprice Classic Landau
350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl
Stock rebuilt TH350
Edelbrock performer cam + intake
Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed)
Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks
95 9C1 3.08 posi
4 wheel disc brakes!
16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

1969 Impala

Hi Tim. When you say, "GM Service", are you referring to a GM notice you received, or an independent GM dealership? If it's from the GM dealership, keep in mind that dealerships are independent from GM and many times will make their own recommendations that don't come from GM.

Based on my 25+ years in the automotive repair industry as an auto center manager and as an independent AMSOIL synthetic lubricants dealer, I don't agree that a transmission needs flushing in only 40,000 miles. I suspect someone is trying to vacuum your wallet dry.

Read the owners manual of your vehicle and see what it recommends as opposed to the independent dealership. To help the transmission last a long time, use a top quality synthetic automatic transmission fluid to extend transmission life, provide smoother/quieter operation, (especially in cold temperatures), and to enhance fuel economy.