2003 Forester--Dealer Thinks I Need Flush & Fill

[W. Watson]

At my 60K check up the dealer thinks my car needs an automatic xmission
flush and fill, $150. Opinions on the need?

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[Edward Hayes]

I would do a plug drain and refill only at a cost of maybe $60. My
manual says NOTHING about flushing your AT.

 

[W. Watson]

I would do a plug drain and refill only at a cost of maybe $60. My
manual says NOTHING about flushing your AT.

The claim of the dealer is that non-automatic methods clean out a low
percentage of the residue. It takes an hour.

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[Stephen H]

Do what the manual says. This will honor the manufactures warranty. Anything
else is above and beyond.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[W. Watson]

Do what the manual says. This will honor the manufactures warranty. Anything
else is above and beyond.

In talking with service once again, they mentioned there are 10 quarts of
fluid in the transmission and not all of it will drain out, only 5 quarts. I
told them not do anything to the fluid. My dealer is 30 miles away, and I'll
have any necessary further work on the fluid done here locally. I have no
idea at this point what the manual says at this point about the fluid, since
the manual is in the car at the dealer. I'll look into it when I get my car
back.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[Wvd]

The ATF (Dextron III) don't need to be replaced!! you only have to check the
ATF-level every 30 k miles.

it's all in the (maintenance) books....

Wilco

 

[W. Watson]

This sounds fine, but let me ask how does one know when the fluid should be
replaced? I would think only when something bad shows up in the fluid. That
is, it seems to me that a really cautious mechanic should occasionally look
at the fluid, and not just the fluid level. It's sort of like the annual
medical test in which you sample your feeces with a kit your doctor provies,
and send it off to the lab. By examining the material, one can get a clue if
there's anything wrong with the human, or, in our case, the car. For
example, if one finds a lot of metal, then you know something is wrong
somewhere.

The ATF (Dextron III) don't need to be replaced!! you only have to check the
ATF-level every 30 k miles.

it's all in the (maintenance) books....

Wilco

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[Wvd]

when measuring the ATF-level you can test the quality by smelling the
ATF-oil (no "burning" smell) and ofcourse the ATF-filter (which also don't
needs to be replaced) filter the small metal pieces.

 

[Stephen H]

At our shop (A Subaru Dealership) all cars get a drain and fill of all trans
fluids and diff fluids at all 30,000 service. They do offer a upgraded
flush, and at my past shop I would do them all the time. I do believe in
them and don't think they harm anything. I do prefer to do them on cars that
haven't followed the manufacture recommended service interval or who's fluid
looks a bit darker than normal (also if you experienced a overheat on the
engine it is good to "Get all the fluid changed" But to maintain the factory
warranty all you need is a drain and fill. This is what the MANUFACTURE has
determined what is needed.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[Huffer]

At my 60K check up the dealer thinks my car needs an automatic xmission
flush and fill, $150. Opinions on the need?

Drain it once, refill the amount drained. Drive a few miles, drain
again and replace the amount.
Add Lubegard ATF protectant to help keep the ATF temp lower. heat kills
the ATs.

Total cost, $60 and an afternoon of your time.