Tranny flush / drain?

[SteveO]

Looking for info/guidance on a tranny flush vs a drain. My ’10 hatch (2.5 automatic, 35k miles) is due and I hear conflicting info regarding this => "don’t do it or wait until “xxx miles” or only perform a drain or else (slippage)..... The dealer said they only perform a tranny drain and fill while another dealer says flush and also recommended a coolant replacement as part of the 30k service.

Any thoughts as to the pros + cons to having the tranny procedure done in general and or is one or the other method preferred?

Thanks.

 

[YSOSLO]

I think DrWebster did a tranny flush at my place a few years back and had found a nice walk-thru somewhere, although his was an older sedan versus your 2010. He had the process down pat though.

 

[DrWebster]

Yep, I've done a few ATX flushes on my car now. Don't listen to the dealers who try to talk you out of it -- they just want to make more money off of you in a few years when your transmission fails and needs to be replaced. You absolutely have to change the fluid in these every 30k or so.

Here's the walkthrough I followed; it's pretty easy. Otherwise, I know that Morries will do (or at least used to) ATX flushes and not just drain-and-fills.

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=138381.0

The only thing I'd recommend you do differently from the walkthrough is to use entirely synthetic fluid, not a mix of synthetic and non. Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is rated (or at least used to be, haven't checked lately) for the Mazda M-V fluid spec and has served me well, and Fleet Farm carries it for about $6.50/quart (you'll need 9 quarts).

 

[SteveO]

Thanks guys. I don't get why there is so much conflicting answers depending on who you ask. The different forums are filled with the same stance as well. I suppose its just like anything else - everyone has an opinion, but I asked three different dealers and they all had different answers. Ooy.

I'm going to do the flush and be done with it.

 

[YSOSLO]

Hey Colin, didn't you also have your bin marked or something, perhaps where the 3 quart fill line would be and the 6 quart fill line, so you could tell when you had roughly the right number of quarts drained in each stage? The walk-thru didn't really show that, but it seemed like a great addition to the process (unless I'm remembering incorrectly).

SteveO, having a spotter watch the catch basin for you makes it a bit easier too, so you can start the car and work the shifter without wondering how much has drained or if it's done, etc.

 

[DrWebster]

Yeah, I took a clear Rubbermaid storage bin and marked out quart lines on the side.