Automatic Transmission Services

[PeterVX2]

The Holden handbook as supplied with each vehicle makes no mention of services for the four speed automatic transmission.

There seems to be varied opinion as to how often to service these.

Transmission specialists say every 30,000 KLM's which seems excessive to me.

( Filter, Gasket and new fluid ).

My previous VX II Equipe I had since brand new. I had the transmission serviced at 180,000 KLM's. Did another 50,000 KLM's in it till a large truck wrote it off. It was a very good reliable vehicle.

Hence I have just purchased another one for a second car.

Is there any way of telling if the transmission needs a service ?

The fluid looks clear and not burnt.

The transmission tray looks to have a black rubber gasket on it.

Is this original ?

Is it better to just get it done anyway ?


Cheers

Peter

[wpr]

Hi, I have owned my car for the last 40,000 km, with a total mileage of 80,000 km and have just had a transmission flush done. Gear changes are noticeably smoother since the service. I had not experienced any problems with my transmission before hand. Before the service my transmission fluid was still a red colour but not as bright as the new fluid. This may be an option if you are not experiencing any problems.

[VYMAD]

I was told every 20,000 which I used to do, but have since been "told" every 40,000, so that's what I stick to now. I do no towing or excessive hilly driving though.

[Drewie]

Just had a check of my VX handbook I bought the car new, first auto service is at 110,000km but it says if any of the following conditions are encountered service at 20,000km intervals,
the conditions listed are 'Taxis and door to door stop start running' 'Caravan or trailer towing' 'Extended heavy load high speed operation in temperatures above 35 degrees'
I had my auto serviced by Holden at 50,000km, i think every 20,000km is a bit of an over kill.

[VYMAD]

i think every 20,000km is a bit of an over kill.

Yeh, me too, but I think engine oil changes at 15,000 ks on the VY's are a little too infrequent. When I bought my VY and did the first auto service at around 43,000, the magnet was absolutely covered in shit and the car had never had a tow bar fitted and had been previously owned and driven by Dept of Aged Care and Disabilities. So I think that 110,000 is a little too far to stretch it out. Maybe 40-50,000?

[Jacko84]

Every 20000kms is recomended by us. transmission specialist

[RiCeY]

Holden has its set service intervals but every service the fluid condition is checked and if it looks a bit dodgy we will recommend a fluid flush which doesnt involve dropping the pan and filter, just a fluid change.

[Jacko84]

Ricey where you work, i see your a holden technician in perth? we are a tranny shop in leederville

[RiCeY]

City Motors just down the road

[pablo]

Of coarse!, (20000k)..changing the oil and filter on a trans with unknown history of how it's treated is being very cautious. .....AND good for workshop business...............VERY GOOD in fact, brings in those easy dollars from the nieve public, straight out of their pocket!!...............over servicing even comes to mind!
BUT, if you are aware of the work load of the trans, how it's treated etc. ...WHY? (I have seen the oil dropped and heard the trans specialist say " why do you think it needs servicing, looks fine to me")
I did my first trans oil & filter change at 135000K. Oil still pink and smelling 'sweet'.just a little debris on magnet. Box performed NO differently afterwards and it's still changing very smoothly now with over 200000K's on clock..
BUT, thats what I do, because I know that my vehicle is driven very lightly. (granny driven?...LOL)
I think HOLDEN reccommend servicing at around 110000K UNLESS it is driven in adverse conditions. Stop start, heavy towing, lead footed drivers all come into the equasion. You be the judge.

[VYMAD]

I don't notice "smoother changes" after doing a fluid/filter change, seems exactly the same as before. I do it to hopefully prolong the life of the tranny.

[PeterVX2]

Just had a check of my VX handbook I bought the car new, first auto service is at 110,000km but it says if any of the following conditions are encountered service at 20,000km intervals,
the conditions listed are 'Taxis and door to door stop start running' 'Caravan or trailer towing' 'Extended heavy load high speed operation in temperatures above 35 degrees'
I had my auto serviced by Holden at 50,000km, i think every 20,000km is a bit of an over kill.

Thanks to all for your comments,

I missed the service recomendation at 110,000 KLM in the handbook.

I will get one done in the immediate future for peace of mind. Unfortunately when buying a second hand vehicle where the previous owner does not know what was serviced, better to be on the safe side.


Regards

Peter

[Brett_jjj]

I service the auto trans in my VS every 20,000 k's.I give it a hard time, so I service it regularly with a new filter and fluid.Ive had no problems with it so far.Its lasted well considering how its used.I shift manually a lot too in it..I also use it for engine braking when slowing down.Ive put 150,000 k's on it so far.

[rocket0000]

serving the auto tranyys depends on the color of the fluid and shifts + how many km on the car and whether or not the fact that you know that your car's tranny was served on a regular basis as well.if the car doesn't shift smooth or you just wanna do a normal service wont hurt at all but don't flush it..... BUT if the fluid is shit and the car had done a lot of km like 150 km or greater flushing or changing fluid is not recommended AT ALL. its better you leave it like that otherwise you'll have slipping problems and causing damage to the torque converter.. i did last week a fluid change and it was really really a messy job guys. you'll see when u drop the pan you'll be covered by fluid next time I'll take it to specialist for 155$ filter gasket and fluid..

[RiCeY]

haha you need a big pan to catch the fluid and drop one end first

[VYMAD]

serving the auto tranyys depends on the color of the fluid and shifts + how many km on the car and whether or not the fact that you know that your car's tranny was served on a regular basis as well.if the car doesn't shift smooth or you just wanna do a normal service wont hurt at all but don't flush it..... BUT if the fluid is shit and the car had done a lot of km like 150 km or greater flushing or changing fluid is not recommended AT ALL. its better you leave it like that otherwise you'll have slipping problems and causing damage to the torque converter.. i did last week a fluid change and it was really really a messy job guys. you'll see when u drop the pan you'll be covered by fluid next time I'll take it to specialist for 155$ filter gasket and fluid..

Depends on what you regard as a really messy job. I find it's not that bad a job to do myself, just with the car up on ramps. And I don't like the idea of paying for labour I can do myself. Only thing I pay for is tyrefitting as I don't have a wheel balance or wheel alignment machine etc. LOL but then again I am Scottish.....