do you recommend flushing transmission fluid
Asked by jordanross Oct 12, 2012 at 11:34 PM about the 2004 Chevrolet Impala LS FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
recent transmission fluid flush has caused a possible gear slippage.
3 Answers
what color was the fluid when u flushed it?
NO NO NON ON NONONONONON I CANT SAY IT ENOUGH NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!, never flush, i stated this in a different post, transmission oil and filters are meant to be changed (from day one) every other oil change, roughly 10,000 miles, around 50,000 you can still do it and take a chance, 60,000 if it had to change them, over 100,000 miles dont touch it, only add fluid as needed, every shop in the world will recommend a flush, they make money and know u will be back in 2 months for a transmission......if you will picture, walking on a paved road, then walk down a long beach, then walk in the water to your shoulders, (represents the sludge building up over time, and the gears becoming used to the dirt and grime), then run backwards skipping the sand, run as hard as you can in the water (resistance) right to the pavement down hill..your transmission will trip and stumble the same way, i am sorry to say you were mislead by flushing ANY SYSTEM.....do tell the mileage so i may recommend a short term remedy such as a lucas oil additive treatment....
Yes, what John said has some truth to it. I follow that rule on any older car. Usually much older than 2004. Either that or if you have gone well over 100,000 without touching it. I will add this which may not actualy help. I have know 3 people with your same car and the trans went out relatively early and they had to get it replaced. The fluid was changed in 2 at regular intervals and 1 was neglected and it didnt seem to make a difference. All happened around 150,000. Give or take, i didn't write it down and am horrible with numbers.