Transmission flush every 30K ????

Typically, if the interval is as short as 30,000 mi. it is usually a "drain-and-fill" versus a flush. FWIW, a drain and fill is an incredibly easy DIY. The cost sounds high to me for a flush, and an outright scam for a drain and fill as that takes all of about 15 minutes for the home mechanic.

Stu

batter wrote:

I do drain & fill my 2000 Forester AT at 30,000 mi. Since You only change ~

That is about double what my local dealer quoted me for the same thing.

dukephoto

I don't flush most automatics every 30,000 but it is a good idea on a Subaru. I have replaced two trannys on Legacys and don't want to do another. The drain and fill doesn't get much of the fluid out. I don't understand why a proper flush would cause a problem. You can do a flush yourself by extending the cooler lines with rubber hose and sucking in new fluid while the old runs out. Price for a flush here ranges from $65 to $135...I take the $65. TG

hey stu (and anyone else) can i change the subjet for a second and ask for a little help on a weird problem. my wife tried to change the oil in her 03 legacy wagon, when she pulled the drain plug the fluid wasn't oil but apparently transmission fluid (3 Qts approx). she plugged it back up found the right drain and did the oil change, she created a problem when she poured 3 Qts of transmission fluid into the differential hole (dipstick on the left when facing car from front) the dealership told me the transmission dipstick is on the right. what has she done, what should she do (drain/fill?). i want to avoid the dealer for warranty reasons. merlin

a little help on a weird problem. my wife tried to change the oil in her 03 legacy wagon, when she pulled the drain plug the fluid wasn't oil but apparently transmission fluid (3 Qts approx). she plugged it back up found the right drain and did the oil change, she created a problem when she poured 3 Qts of transmission fluid into the differential hole (dipstick on the left when facing car from front) the dealership told me the transmission dipstick is on the right. what has she done, what should she do (drain/fill?). i want to avoid the dealer for warranty reasons.

If you put 3 qts of ATF in the differential, then you *might* be alright, but I'd change it out right away and get the regular gear oil back in place. I think I'd rather have that happen then putting gear oil/motor oil in the AT! BTW, keep your wife away from under the hood in the future John

I pull the plug on my A/T every time I change my engine oil: Every 6k miles now that I'm using Mobil 1 (used to be every 3k miles with dino oil). Takes about 5 extra minutes and costs about $6. Gets some of the old burnt stuff out and replenishes some of the additives. I've never had ANY problems with any of the A/T equipped vehicles I've owned.

So the 270 was divvied up in the flush plus work on the rear axle/differential. I always thought those 2 were done in tandem. Is the latter worth another $130 or so that makes this $270 quote believable?

The differential oil is only drain and refilled with ~1 quart of diff oil. ~

I would check your owners manual and confirm dipstick location. Dealers aren't always in the know. If there was a mix up, drain the diff and refill with gear oil. Obviously, make sure you get 3 qts of ATF back in the tranny.

Stu

merl> hey stu (and anyone else) can i change the subjet for a second and ask for a

little help on a weird problem. my wife tried to change the oil in her 03 legacy wagon, when she pulled the drain plug the fluid wasn't oil but apparently transmission fluid (3 Qts approx). she plugged it back up found the right drain and did the oil change, she created a problem when she poured 3 Qts of transmission fluid into the differential hole (dipstick on the left when facing car from front) the dealership told me the transmission dipstick is on the right. what has she done, what should she do (drain/fill?). i want to avoid the dealer for warranty reasons.