Changing your Transmission Fluid and Filter is of great importance in maintaining the life of your Transmission. If you haul or tow it is necessary to change your fluid and filter more often than if you do not. About every 18,000 miles is recommended on a vehicle that hauls or tows and others that do not should change your fluid and filter about every 24,000 to 30,000 miles. When you prolong the servicing of your Transmission you should flush with a complete Transmission filter change as well. Flushing exchanges all fluid verses a filter change (removing the transmission pan) only replaces about 5-7 quarts of fluid. A flush consist of 12-15 quarts or whatever your vehicle's transmission holds. Darkened Transmission Fluid needs changing. If you have waited for years or many miles and have not serviced your Transmission it is not recommended that you do so. It could cause Transmission Failure. For example if you have waited 5 years and 150,000 miles and have never serviced your Transmission it's not recommended to do so if you are experiencing Transmission shift problems unless you are prepared to Repair the Transmission at the time because the possibility is great that it will have problems and the chances are slim that it won't. Routinely when getting an Oil Change Service, have them check the fluid, for very dark or a burnt smell. If that is found, service your Transmission to prevent damage.
