When should the manual transmission fluid be changed? I know on Honda's, it requires a machine/vacuum (automatic) to change it out. On the manual transmissions all you do is drain and fill, is that the same?

 

YEP, drain, clean out as much as you can in the bottom of the case. refill. you'll need a 17mm allen wrench

 

Due to the mileage and the fact that I think it has never been done, will it hurt the transmission if I replace the fluid THIS late?

 

Automatic Transmission fluid is rarely changed for preventive maintenance, yet is often the cause of premature transmission failure. Considering how expensive a transmission is to replace, the cost of changing the fluid and filter periodically is peanuts.

Most vehicle owner's manuals do not specify a change interval for automatic transmission fluid, unless the vehicle is used for towing. The vehicle manufacturers say their fluids can go upwards of 100,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Yet most transmission experts say regular transmission fluid and filter changes every 25,000 to 30,000 miles can significantly prolong the life of the transmission. But if a transmission has a lot of miles on it and the fluid has never been changed, they also say it may be best to leave the fluid alone. Why? Because changing the fluid may loosen accumulated varnish deposits that could cause sticking of control valves in the valvebody.

At the very least, the transmission fluid level should be checked periodically. On most vehicles, this should be done after the vehicle has been driven and the fluid is hot. The dipstick is then read while the engine idling and the transmission is in park.

If the level is low, fluid should be added to gradually bring the level up to the full mark, but not overfilled (which can cause the fluid to aerate and foam). If the transmission is leaking fluid from the pan gasket or rear seal, these parts are not difficult or expensive to replace.

Very important! Make sure you get the correct type of fluid for your transmission.

I don't think you will have anything to worry about by changing the fluids in a MANUAL Transmission and it will probably thank you for it!

 

Viperdew

On my truck the transmission fluid must be checked hot with engine running, in neutral, NOT PARK. The transmission does not pump fluid in park. This is why many people have suggested to let your transmission cold down in neutral with engine running because it will pump fluid through the cooler.

Daniel

 

Thats the reason why you check it in park, is so the fluid isn't moving. Would you try to check your engine oil with the engine running?

As for what Viperdew said, all correct. The original owner of my truck didn't change the oil in the trans, and I bought it with brown oil at 101K. I changed HALF the oil and it wiped out the trans 3K later. It was time for some power handling capacity anyway.

 

RJF

I feel like I must reply to your statement; "Thats the reason why you check it in park, is so the fluid isn't moving. Would you try to check your engine oil with the engine running?"

I would not check my engine oil with it running. However, I do no see what this has to do with checking the fluid in the transmission.

If you check the fluid with it in park it will usually show over full because the fluid level is set with the fluid hot and engine idling in neutral so that the pump is pumping fluid through the system and there is still a reserve in the pan. If you still doubt this, may I suggest you read the owner's manual and see what it says. If you still doubt it, look at the dipstick and see what it says on how to check the fluid level.

The only reason I replied to this thread was to keep someone from making a mistake and not having enough fluid in their automatic transmission.

I do not reply to threads on this board much anymore because of self proclaimed experts who come on strong with their opinions, usually a bit insulting and try to put someone else down that may know what they are talking about. I am all for the exchange of ideas to try to come to the truth of the matter. However it has been my observation that the putting forth of wrong information on this board is just too much for me to try to correct. Therefore I usually just ignore it unless I feel it may cause a real problem for someone.

Daniel