[jb1986_GM]

hey GM techs,

Ive got an '01 Cavalier Z24, this car has about 84k miles on it. Its been well maintained and has not been driven in dusty areas, mountains, etc. Just regular driving. Now I've been told at the dealership to change the tranny fluid (they want to make money on something GM says not to replace!) I just want to ask what do you guys think change/no change? Like have you guys noticed those who do not change it have tranny problems?

 

[eurohazard]

Manual or AT?

 

[T-Type]

I'm not a believer in lifetime fluids, even if they say it's OK. At 84K I'd say go for it. Even better if you are mechanical, do it yourself.

If you want to get a feel for how the fluid is doing, pull the dip stick. Healthy fluid is bright red. If it's starting to look brown then definitely change it.

 

[Triple-X08]

have it changed. wouldnt hurt to make sure its good and clean. 100 bucks is cheaper than 1500.

i dont believe in lifetime fluids. for some reason i think the germans or the **** started this whole deal, and naturally GM decides to follow suit, but anyways, its a stupid idea.

no such thing as a lifetime fluid. all fluids need changed at some point in time.

its like dexcool/dexclog, they claim 150,000 miles or 5 years or some crap like that, and if you let that stuff sit in your car that long, you may as well total the car. because all it does is get gelled up or clogged up or it breaks down, or just loses its protection level. its like any other fluid, it needs changed.

no the dealer isnt trying to make money by selling a gravy job. its just recommended service.

at that mileage i would certainly do it.

 

[W.A.F.U.]

Trust us. Change the fluid. There is enough extra water absorbed from condensation at that milage to consider it a good idea.

 

[goochman]

have it changed. wouldnt hurt to make sure its good and clean. 100 bucks is cheaper than 1500.

i dont believe in lifetime fluids. for some reason i think the germans or the **** started this whole deal, and naturally GM decides to follow suit, but anyways, its a stupid idea.

no such thing as a lifetime fluid. all fluids need changed at some point in time.

its like dexcool/dexclog, they claim 150,000 miles or 5 years or some crap like that, and if you let that stuff sit in your car that long, you may as well total the car. because all it does is get gelled up or clogged up or it breaks down, or just loses its protection level. its like any other fluid, it needs changed.

no the dealer isnt trying to make money by selling a gravy job. its just recommended service.

at that mileage i would certainly do it.

I was talking to the service manager at my BMW dealership about when to replace the differential fluid in my 325xi and he told me it was lifetime fluid. he then told me that at 100K everything should be changed and when I mentioned the 'lifetime' fluid he said - '100k is a lifetime for a BMW'

100K is about the right time to get everything serviced out fluid wise IMHO.