To Flush or Not to Flush!

[Tabascocat]

Just got another vehicle, a 2010 Jeep GC Limited 4x4. It was a deal too good to pass up from a friend of the wifes who needed to sell it off.

The transmission.......the single most car problem that will send me to the grave early. Already had three cars go kaput in the past. Well, it seems to have nothing major with it except it upshifts from 2nd to 3rd almost instantly. When downshifting from 2nd to 1st, the RPM's rev up for a sec then stabilize. Otherwise, it shifts great.

I took it to a trusted transmission specialist and he could not find any problems, he reset the software and told me to drive it for 10 miles then turn it off for 5 minutes. This should help alleviate the symptoms. Well, a day later and they are still there, just not as bad but seems to upshift to 3rd a little harder.

He said it would be best to just get a tranny service and not to worry, there are no codes or anything showing up but those small things bug me and I want it corrected.

Hoping a service will help and have been calling shops all morning trying to get squeezed in. Half of them recommend to flush the fluid, the other half says not too if the car is over 110k miles.

Which is it? Any help is appreciated. Will/could this fix the problem?

Two mechanics saw nothing wrong and that it is what it is. With my luck, something was overlooked and I will be on a 4th transmission........it just doesn't feel normal but I have never owned a full-time four wheel drive before.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Changing the fluid is always a good idea if you have problems. Sounds like the throttle valve (TV) cable may be sticking. It runs from the TB on the engine down to the transmision and controls the 2-3 shift quality.

 

[Tabascocat]

Changing the fluid is always a good idea if you have problems. Sounds like the throttle valve (TV) cable may be sticking. It runs from the TB on the engine down to the transmision and controls the 2-3 shift quality.

Thanks, thought of that after I posted. I am changing the fluid for sure, just not sure if it is ok to flush the system out or just drain and refill. I have heard differing opinions on that.

 

[CyberB0b]

This is probably just garage talk, but I heard if it is an older transmission, some of the metal shavings and gunk actually help keep it together.

 

[Tabascocat]

This is probably just garage talk, but I heard if it is an older transmission, some of the metal shavings and gunk actually help keep it together.

Heard that too. I decided to go with a full flush(the place has a lifetime warranty on their flushes...if the trans goes out, they fix it). After driving around 40 total miles afterwards, it drives better. The upshifting is normal and the downshifting is less noticeable. I suspect it will only get better after more driving.

Now, for my unlucky part. Some service guy that moves cars in and out of the garages hit another car with mine. He dented the front right, tore my license plate off and the spoiler is barely attached now. They tried to tell me it was there, but luckily, I took close-up pics of the SUV when I bought it and the damage wasn't there

They are going to fix it along with all new shocks and struts!

 

[CyberB0b]

They tried to tell me it was there, but luckily, I took close-up pics of the SUV when I bought it and the damage wasn't there

That would make me a little uneasy about how they will honor your lifetime tranny warranty.

 

[Tabascocat]

That would make me a little uneasy about how they will honor your lifetime tranny warranty.

Yea, but this is a big dealership, not some small, shady place and it isn't going anywhere. After my X5 tranny troubles, I'll take any kind of transmission warranty at this point.

 

[tantrix1969]

Heard that too. I decided to go with a full flush(the place has a lifetime warranty on their flushes...if the trans goes out, they fix it). After driving around 40 total miles afterwards, it drives better. The upshifting is normal and the downshifting is less noticeable. I suspect it will only get better after more driving.

Now, for my unlucky part. Some service guy that moves cars in and out of the garages hit another car with mine. He dented the front right, tore my license plate off and the spoiler is barely attached now. They tried to tell me it was there, but luckily, I took close-up pics of the SUV when I bought it and the damage wasn't there

They are going to fix it along with all new shocks and struts!

That's great, usually even getting your trans rebuilt only comes with a 5yr max warranty

 

[Tabascocat]

That's great, usually even getting your trans rebuilt only comes with a 5yr max warranty

Thought it was strange as well, but the warranty only applies as long as I am the owner....does not transfer. It is an '09, so I guess they figure I would have it only for a few more years anyways...who knows.

 

[Hoofbite]

They really tried to tell you the damage was already there?

That's just ridiculous. Own up for it. Labor is always the most expensive part so the cost to fix anything they break is significantly less than what the rape people for.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

Is it weird that I assumed this thread was going to be about conserving water by not flushing when you go number 1, and only flushing when you go #2?