I'd like to hear some secrets/success stories from CTD owners that have gotten high mileage on your automatics w/o failures.<br><br>We've all heard that our drivetrain's weak link is the automatic tranny. With that said, what have been your secrets to a long, happy auto tranny life. What have you done and what do you recommend for us auto owners to keep our autos trouble free. Also, tell us how many trouble-free miles you have logged on that auto tranny.<br><br>Thanks<br>

 

I'll relate what I have heard and done, but I don't really have the mileage to back it up. I bought my truck at 47K and am now changing out the tranny at 65K. No my transmissions is not bad, in fact it's perfect, but I am adding more HP and the stock tranny cannot handle that.<br><br>I heard that you must change the tranmission fluid every 50K or you are guaranteed to have transmission problems. I have since heard that you really should be changing at more like 15K if you use Dino tranny fluid. I switched my tranny over to Amsoil synthetic at 50K, which has better heat dissapation abilities and will help the tranny overall. I shoul be able to run the synthetic tranny fluid longer, but I have not determined how much longer. Analysis will probably help with that.<br><br><br>Chris

 

From what I've heard, change fluid as recommended, don't BOMB your engine and keep your foot out of it :'(<br><br>Personally, I can't abide by the last two rules. ;D

 

The biggest secret is know how the auto works and drive it to make it last. Easy on the shifts and easy to lock-up and keep the fluid changed. Don't overheat it. Be aware if something minor is wrong and get it fixed ASAP.<br>I just bought mine with 160,000 miles and I'm sure the fluid has never been changed, oh well. <br>DTT now makes it run/shift better than ever.

 

I purchased mine a couple weeks ago at 48105 miles. The previous owner told me he had never changed the tranny fluid (just changed engine oil and filter) and had hauled heavy loads of cattle since new, I was a little concerned.<br>I changed the fluid+filter and adjusted the bands today, the fluid was very good &amp; pan was pretty clean ( some black crud around magnet). The band adjustment made an amazing difference in how smooth it shifts!<br>I now have an abundance of confidence in my AT since I have seen how well it looks internally and how much better it preformes after some adjustment. From what I have read and heard now these AT's should last the life of the truck if taken care of....fingers crossed <br>I posted a simular question couple weeks ago.

 

I got 175,000 out of mine last 95 4x4 with an auto. I simply changed the fluid annually and put in a new filter. When I sold it I believe it ran as good as it did when it was new.<br><br>I should add, I did virtually no towing. My daughter pulls a 25' horse trailer with 3 big hay burners riding in it, and she changes her fluid after each pull. She has 100K on that tranny and it still seems strong.<br><br>My opinion, a tranny temp gauge and regular fluid changes equal long life.<br><br>2 cnets.