Over the years the "experts" have said "change", "don't change", "change",
"don't change".

And since the transmission is pretty much a closed environment with no
combustion byproduct contamination I've always defaulted to "don't change"
and watched & smelled the condition of the fluid on the stick. And I've
taken quite a few Mercedes 250,000 miles past the mileage that was on the
cars when I bought them.

I've lost three transmissions, not bad for someone who drove over 40,000
miles/year for most of 35 years!

Thanks, Tom Hargrave
www.stir-plate.com
www.towercooler.com
www.kegkits.com
www.grow-sun.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 10:30 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Is it change or don't

Go Westy has an opinion on this:  Every 30k with filter change.   My newer
cars say never, or at 100k.  More here:
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=305

AFT is subject to heat breakdown, but as long as it is nice and red (not
brown) it's usually okay.  With all my cars I do 75k changes with Red Line
ATF which takes a lot more heat.   Unfortunately it takes three changes to
get all the old ATF down to a small amount (< 1/4 cup) since you can't drain
the torque converter.  If you want to spend the bucks do three changes
within a few days.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Spencer Allen
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 8:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: ATF: Is it change or don't

I don't remember for certain but some time (years) ago there was talk about
NOT changing the fluid in an auto tranny because it would have a negative
effect. Can someone  post the latest word on when or if to change the AT
fluid. I have a auto 85 Westy with 86K and I don't think the trans has ever
been serviced. Thanks for any info.
Spencer
-----
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