Will a mechanic ever change out the filter & be able to do a flush on our transmissions? Or, are the flushes usually just done by quick change places? Is there any benefits to doing a fluzh over doing a drain?

 

my local dodge dealer flushed mine last year. cost me 189.00

 

You leave about 6-8 qts in on a drain. A flush is the best way to go, then drive it for 5K miles then drop the pan and change the filter.

 

I agree the flush is a very good thing but you also need to change the filter. In the past I would alternate services at 30.000 mi intervals one time a flush next time a filter...seem to work for me.

 

You could do your own flush:

1. Remove pan, change filter, reinstall pan with original, reusable gasket.
2. Fill pan with new fluid.
3. Remove rear tranny cooling line where it goes into the tranny. That is the return line from the cooler. Attach enough (about 4 feet) clear tubing to make it over to a bucket placed by the driver's door.
4. I put my truck on jack stands and went through the gears while pumping out the old fluid. If this is too much hassle, you could just put the truck in neutral to pump the fluid. Park will not work.
5. Once fluid is pumped out, turn off truck, refill pan, repeat until fluid coming out is bright red. Or approx. 16 quarts or 4 gallons.
6. Reattach cooler line, then top off tranny after it has completely warmed up. To check tranny fluid level: engine running, level ground, hot, and in neutral.

 

That might do the trick. I just want to make sure I do as good as maintenance as possible w/o going to a dealership. Too much $$$ for them to do it if I can do something just as good at home. Plus I learn a little along the way.

 

What about these band adjustments I here is so important??

 

The band adjustment procedure and pros/cons has been covered extensively in other posts. Do a search for "band adjust" and you'll have plenty to read.

 

If you must do a flush, do it handymantim's way !!