2002 sc430 transmission
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 952
From: Fl
i think i know, but can someone please educate me on differences between drain & refill (d&r) transmission fluid vs. flush, and why d&r is recommended for high mileage?
i also have a high mileage 2002 (currently at 278k) and am not mechanically inclined and am curious. thanks.
i also have a high mileage 2002 (currently at 278k) and am not mechanically inclined and am curious. thanks.
a flush requires a machine that will cycle all of the fluid out and replace with new.
I have always done the drain & refill regardless of mileage…I do it because of cost and I can do it.
some say the machine can damage the transmission if done incorrectly.
and some say changing fluid on high mileage transmissions can cause problems, I don’t believe this, but I have never had a car that was never serviced for that long.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 132
Likes: 59
From: ca
drain & refill, you change about 4qts and it’s easier than changing the oil (2002-2005)…you can do it at home.
a flush requires a machine that will cycle all of the fluid out and replace with new.
I have always done the drain & refill regardless of mileage…I do it because of cost and I can do it.
some say the machine can damage the transmission if done incorrectly.
and some say changing fluid on high mileage transmissions can cause problems, I don’t believe this, but I have never had a car that was never serviced for that long.
a flush requires a machine that will cycle all of the fluid out and replace with new.
I have always done the drain & refill regardless of mileage…I do it because of cost and I can do it.
some say the machine can damage the transmission if done incorrectly.
and some say changing fluid on high mileage transmissions can cause problems, I don’t believe this, but I have never had a car that was never serviced for that long.
i had a d&r done when i bought the car 2 1/2 years ago and it's taken me all this time to put 10k miles on the odometer.
the car's history shows it's had 8 d&r's in it's lifetime; one by me (owner five); one by owner four; and six by owner one.
the mileage interval between d&r's varied from as little as 13k miles to as high as 54k miles, with the shorter intervals early in the car's life.
the trans has been smooth as butter since i bought it and remains so (fingers crossed).
i was going to have it done again after 40k miles but at the rate i drive, it'll be another 7-8 years. perhaps i should go joyriding more!
though not mechanically inclined, i may try the diy-at-home d&r posted by DshngDaryl above when the time comes if i'm not too old and decrepit.
thanks again for the explanation and as my small contribution to the thread, here's a pic of the "missing" trans drain plug from my 2002 that i took 2 1/2 years ago
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 99
From: W
Drain and fill is literally let out all drip out then fill again, with flush I think you might add more chemicals or cleaners before you drain, vacuum out? Then flush the trans until it's clean. I'm no mechanic so don't quote me on this. Why a flush is bad is on a high mileage transmission is, it might be the gunk, transmission material that's floating in the oil that keeps the transmission operating, creating enough friction to operate. If all that material is flushed away, your transmission might start slipping or not operating or basically failing now that is too clean. It was basically the old junk in it keeping it alive but now that it's completely gone with a flush it's broken.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 952
From: Fl
yes, I had one added to my 2000 Firebird Trans Am. I used a Honda Bung with a Honda magnetic drainplug.
only problem with the 2006-2010 is the refill procedure…the existing drainplug is used as the fluid level based on fluid temperature. 😂
yep, i was like WTF is that, but when you see the procedure, you will understand and roll your eyes at the same time.
only problem with the 2006-2010 is the refill procedure…the existing drainplug is used as the fluid level based on fluid temperature. 😂
yep, i was like WTF is that, but when you see the procedure, you will understand and roll your eyes at the same time.
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