
He spoke about my need to get transmission service, but on the inspection form.A transmission flush is typically twice the value of a fluid change due to the amount of time the service takes and the fact that the flush not only replaces the fluid in the pan but also removes fluid from the cooler lines and added components of your transmission. I was at the dealer this week getting an oil change and rotation, and he insisted that I get the 60,000 mile service. It has 68,000 miles and is an automatic transmission. Should I Flush or Change My Transmission Fluid?I have a 2008 Cobalt that I bought in 2010. Here are 4 reasons why this process is so important for those with automatic transmissions: It extends the transmission lifespan: If the transmission’s internal hydraulic lines are clogged, it can cause inner. The transmission flush also pushes debris and other small particles that develop from the transmission filter’s worn out fibers.
Limit one coupon per person. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Coupon not valid with any other offer. Service Coupon Transmission Flush.
This is where you hear stories about 'I had my transmission flushed and then the trans went out and needed to be replaced.' Contaminated fluid or low fluid levels require being replaced or flushed entirely but there is a difference between the two processes and it’s worth knowing the difference.The flush can dislodge nasty things, blow internal seals, etc, because of the solvent and the system being subjected to external pressure rather than the transmission itself supplying the correct pressure. Schedule Service.Transmission fluid, sometimes called automatic transmission fluid or ATF, is the fluid in the closed transmission system of your vehicle that keeps everything lubricated, cooled, and running efficiently. Other Restrictions may apply.
It is called the DT-45096 TransFlow Cooler Flush Machine and DT-52263 Transmission Fluid Exchange Tool Kit. It’s just not that thorough so it’s best to do this if you just have low transmission fluid, or are looking to do this as a stop gap measure until you can get the money or time together for a proper flush, if you really need one.All the dealers were shipped a machine for flushing the 8 speed transmissions. Potentially this is the sort of job you could do yourself at home depending on your level of technical know how and confidence. The advantage to just changing your transmission fluid over a transmission flush is that it is much faster and will also be much cheaper. There will still be remnants of the old fluid present, which could include contaminants. It’s essentially just opening a valve, emptying what’s inside, then filling new fluid into the system.
Overall, it’s the better choice for the efficiency of your vehicle though.Compared to some things like repairing a blown head gasket or replacing your fuel injection system, paying for a transmission fluid flush is not the most expensive repair job on your vehicle. It is the more thorough and complete option, but also takes longer and will be the more expensive choice in terms of cost. This is the closest you can get to resetting your transmission to factory new. A fluid flush forces out all of the old fluid under pressure and runs a cleaning agent through the system as well to change it completely.

Chevrolet Transmission Flush Full Transmission Flush
The same can be said for any do-it-yourself project, however. You can change a lot of your own fluids so why not transmission? And in the spirit of do-it-yourself car maintenance you can, in fact, change your own transmission fluid although that doesn’t always mean it’s a very good idea to do so. An untrained or improperly trained mechanic could damage vital valves and seals in your transmission and cause an even worse problem.This is a tough question to answer but obviously it’s something many car owners want to know. You need a trained transmission specialist to not only determine if you need it done but to conduct the flush as well. That said, not every mechanic agrees with this position.Some mechanics feel a full transmission flush is just a cash grab by unscrupulous mechanics.
If you’re not 100% sure, you can check out some YouTube videos that will show you the steps or just get your mechanic to do the job for you. Floor jack + jack stands + wheel chocksThere are a few steps to go through to change your fluid yourself. This is not the same as a proper and thorough flush, but it will clean the system more than just topping up old fluid.If you do feel confident enough to try this on your own, you'll need a few items including Naturally, you’ll need to determine this on your own.
Use the jack and jack stands to raise and secure the front end. Turn off the engine and then place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. If it’s off colored or sludgy, it needs to be changed. If the levels are low, it can be topped up. If the levels are normal and the fluid looks clean, either red or green depending on what color you use, you may not need to change anything. The dipstick should have a red handle.

The pan should have a magnet in it to collect the metal shavings that may be from normal wear and tear in your engine. Inspect the drain pan for metal shavings or other contaminants. To do a full clean, you MUST get a professional flush.
Chevrolet Transmission Flush Manual And You
You’ll need several quarts as detailed in your manual and you’ll need to make sure it’s the right kind for your make and model. Take the car down off the jack stands and replace the fluid with the funnel. Make sure to not over-tighten any bolts. Replace the plug or pan. Replace anything cracked or worn. Check the filter and gaskets after the fluid is drained.
This can dislodge debris and clog the lines even worse, potentially damaging the system in the process and making it function even worse after the flush than before.This is why some mechanics even warn against having a flush done. A proper transmission flush should use the car’s own transmission pump to help flush the system.Some mechanics may perform this job in a different manner, one that is more like a vacuum cleaning to suck the fluid out. As we’ve said, you need to have this job done by a properly trained technician who is using proper tools. Most shops will accept it as a drop off.A transmission flush should not harm your car but that doesn’t mean it won’t. Transmission fluid is not safe to just dump in the trash or flush down a drain. Properly dispose of your old fluid.
This is always a better bet than just going by averages that can apply to numerous different makes and models.In general, they say you should get a transmission flush every 30,000 miles or two years. While we often just use rules of thumb in driving to determine things like when you need to rotate your tires or when you need to change an oil filter, your manual has exact specifications that are unique to your make and model. How Do I Know If I Need a Transmission Flush?Your owner’s manual is a good first place to check if you’re curious about when and how often to flush your transmission fluid. If it’s necessary, it will improve the overall function of your transmission and will be a benefit to the longevity of your vehicle. It needs to be done correctly to ensure the result you want.If it’s done correctly, a transmission flush will not harm your car, however. This is a delicate system, after all.
Dirty transmission fluid can cause what is called surging. If you have a problem shifting gears, and it seems to go either too quickly or too slowly into a new gear, that's a sign that your fluid may not be clean and requires a change. If your vehicle stalls for a moment every time you put it in gear, that may mean you need a transmission flush. This could be caused by low levels or just heavily contaminated fluid. If your transmission is grinding or making other unusual sounds, that’s a good sign your fluid needs to be flushed.
Transmission fluid subjected to high heat and contamination over long periods of time may become muddy and thick with sediment, dirt, metal or other unwanted materials. A transmission flush could also be the solution to that problem.If you’re experiencing any of these issues, a mechanic can better help you diagnose if it’s truly an issue with your transmission fluid or if something else may be amiss.What Happens If I Don’t Flush My Transmission Fluid?While the rule of thumb is that transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 mile or so, and others feel that “fill-for-life” fluid can last well over 100,000 miles the fact remains that sometimes it does need to be changed. If you find that you keep slipping gears, that can be caused by both a lack of fluid and the presence of dirty transmission fluid. An inconsistent flow of transmission fluid is the cause for this.
As we’ve covered in the past , repairing your transmission is incredibly expensive and can cost anywhere from $1800 to $3400. In a worst-case scenario, your entire transmission could break down and require a thorough repair or replacement.
