opinions on trans fluid change 96 - 173k

[domer94]

i recently acquired a nice 96 2dr with 173k miles. i dont know if its the original trans / fluid or not. the fluid looks and smells ok. however, being the ever vigilant maintainer that we all are, i like to do all the fluids in every vehicle i buy. trans shifts and runs perfect , but all i want to do is a drain / fill / filter for purpose of prudent maintenance. would you guys do this at this milage? or should i leave it alone at this point

 

[autolover3]

I understand the want to change it since maintenance but if it looks and smells fine and transmission operates normal, I would leave it

 

[newbie78]

I wonder the same with my tahoe that has 190k. I just bought it last August. I just checked the trans fluid tonight and it's real hard to tell by looking at it on the dipstick that's how clean my fluid is. I have to take the dipstick and touch it on a paper towel to check the level. My fluid is pink and clean as hell so I guess it was recently changed so I'm leaving it alone.

Although I noticed some shudder from the trans(sounds like driving on a rumble strip) going uphill today that I never noticed before that's what tempted me to check my fluid. I think it was just because the truck wen't into overdrive going uphill so I let off the gas and gave it harder throttle and it went away.

 

[95escahoe]

I got mine with over 200k when I got it at 250k now, I dropped the pan did the filter and gasket and shifts mint, aslong as you just drop the pan and don't do a flush you should be good

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[domer94]

thanks, yes i know there are two schools of thought on this. thing is i WANT this trans to last to 250 or more... i dont tow and beat on the vehicle at all, and since i have complete lack of maintenance records, i thought it wouldnt hurt to drop the pan and do the filter and refill. but then there are the stories you here in the back of your head about things going to crap when disturbed for no reason....

 

[SunlitComet]

unless fluid is in bad condition leave it alone at this stage.

 

[domer94]

unless fluid is in bad condition leave it alone at this stage.

ok , i trust your opinion and frankly thats one less thing to do. however is there a point now that i change it in the future? or is this a "let it go until it dies" situation. i would love to make this thing last.

 

[95escahoe]

ok , i trust your opinion and frankly thats one less thing to do. however is there a point now that i change it in the future? or is this a "let it go until it dies" situation. i would love to make this thing last.

If the fluid gets bad service it, just keep checking on it

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[SunlitComet]

precisely, if it is red and does not smell burnt leave it till it does. it could have very well been changed lot of times that you don't know but follow the maintenance procedure as it applies to you:

under normal conditions replace filter and fluid only when fluid is deteriorated unless used for commercial or fleet type services in which case it is typically done every 50k miles or sooner as fluid condition dictates.