My mechanic is awesome and has never ripped me off in 10 years. He says it'll run around $180 to change filter/oil and service transmission. The filter alone is $45 plus fluid and labor around 2 hours.

Is this on par with others?

 

That's a good price if he's doing everything for $180. (providing he flush the whole system). But even if its just drain and refill, it's a fair price.

 

just DIY.

2 Qts of trans fluid = $10.00

5 Qts of oil plus filter = $40.00

There ya go, you'll save yourself $130.00 right there.

 

is there any link or a write up for flushing your tranny fluid???

 

search bananags on google

 

His write-ups aren't all that detailed. He might be very good at DIY projects but he's not all the great at writing & explaining the processes of them. IMO.

 

How many qts of ATF fluid are needed if you do a complete flush? And if you just drain and fill?

 

drain and refill takes 2qt. i think a flush is around 16qt (or was it 12?)

 

I thought it was 20. On his website it states the exact amount and ratio of old fluid to new fluid after ea. drain and refill.

 

his tranny flush guide is detailed enough IMHO. That's why i put his name in this thread.

 

When it comes to DIY, I believe there are two issues to be looked at:

1.) How much money do you make in one hour?
2.) How knowledegeable are you with basic mechanics?

If #1 exceeds the cost of material/labor of the DIY, take it to a mechanic. If you are limited in #2, take it to a mechanic. If vice versa for #1 and #2, DIY.

For me, I just take it to my trusted mechanic, pay for it, not worry about messing up, and call it a day....

 

I think I forgot something. If cost is not an issue, and you like doing DIY's as a hobby, by all means, DIY!

 

Get a BG flush

http://www.bgfindashop.com/bgservices/transmission.htm

 

Before a flush, I read somewhere where its better to have it drained and replaced a couple of times before the flush. Something about a dramatic change to the transmission may cause it trip.

Slow and steady is my motto now. So, drain and replace it the next 2 times you get an oil change. Then, on the 3rd go round, do the flush.