Car with 150K miles and never had the transmission fluid changed. Should I change it or not

ELDOM72

MEMBER
2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
150,000 MILES

I just bought a '05 Hyundai Elantra with 150K miles and never had a transmission fluid change (i guess the previous owner didn't do it). The cars runs without problems but when I checked the transmission fluid, it's all brown and smells burnt. I'm not sure if I should change the fluid because I've heard the transmission will slip when you wait too long to change the fluid. So should I change it (dropping the pan), flush the fluid, or just leave it like that? Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 5:30 AM

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Replace the fluid and filter-do not have it flush and make sure its filled properly

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Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 5:35 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

At this mileage and described condition of the trans fluid, the trans is not in good condition and the best hope is to have the fluids replaced and pray that it is going to last.

If you don't replace the fluids, it sure is going to konk off earlier than later. Replacing the fluids might get a little more mileage out of the trans before it retires itself.

As Raz mentioned, DO NOT flush it, it is going to make the situation worse. Bear in mind that replacing the fluids might not solve the problem of the trans failing as seals don't like to be bathed in old fluids for long periods.

Fluids should be changed periodially.

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Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 8:43 PM