Ok so i went to Goodyear yesterday to get a transmisson service and they told me they couldn't do it because it was slipping. They told me that i should try a product called Lucas transmisson treatment. But i didn't really understand why they couldn't service the tranny. I've heard that all the tranny service is is to change the fluid but i'm not sure. Should I just go to a different service station or should i try the treatment?

 

I think I'd find another shop. There's no reason not to change the fluid - the simplest repair to try if you've got a transmission issue is a fluid change. Do you feel it slipping?
I think oil additives are a gimmick. There's no reason a normally running vehicle should need any additives to transmission fluid or engine oil. I think the placebo effect produces the miracle results people attribute to this stuff. Lets see if how many people think so.

 

I almost wholeheartedly agree with Cheggie. Nearly all additives are a joke, however, this Lucas stuff is good. It's not the miracle cure, but it certainly doesn't hurt. I have known it to stop a badly slipping transmission from slipping. Who knows how long it would last, but . . . I would probably use Lucas in it. I have used it in my vehicles in the past. This is one additive I think is good. The engine additive is good too. Big trucks use it. However, you have to go with a lighter oil because it will thicken it up one level.

 

ok well should i just go to any service station or should i go to a Tranny place

 

Shouldn't matter who does the work as long as they do it right. If the fluid is brown, badly burnt, I would get the trans flushed instead of just a remove the pan type service. A flush will change all the fluid. The best way to make your trans live is to keep good clean fluid in it and keep it cool. Try servicing it and put Lucas in it. Take care of it and even if it has started slipping, you may be able to save it for awhile. Save you pennies though, as it will probably eventually go if it is already slipping.

 

I was kind of curious if you actually felt it slipping, or if Goodyear suggested it was slipping.

 

i haven't really felt it too much it hasn't change in the last couple years and i know i have gotten it service a few times in between there. They were the ones saying they couldn;t do the work because it was slipping

 

Yep - I'd seek a different service garage. Flush the transmission, and don't worry about it unless you feel a problem. You're the one who drives the truck all the time, so you know best how it feels.

 

Cheggie, im with you 99% on the additive junk. Plecebo effect all the way. I cant even count how many cars i have fixed for customers under warranty by replacing a part that was never failed. Got paid also, instead of driving a car for an hour with a diagnosis of no problem found, .2.

About the trans additives. Many of them contain the same chemicals that make up brake fluid. Do they make a difference, well kind of. Say you have an extremely high milage trans, so high milage it has severe wear on some of the apply piston seals or apply circuit teflon seals and their mating area. Normally the symptom for this condition transmission would be an occasional slip under heavy loads or a flare between or when shifting into gears. This is due to a loss of fluid pressure to the specific clutch pack via leaking seals in that circuit.

--Dump in the transmission fix it in a can........

What happens, slipping is gone, flare is gone, shift delay is gone. Why, well the chemicals cause the rubber and teflon seals to swell and most of the time a low circuit pressure due to a slight leak is increased. How long does it last, thats the funny part. The seals at this point will fail extremely fast. They will begin to get so soft they will tear and fall apart and in some cases, will swell so much they will move out of their grove or cause such high friction on roating assemblies they will melt or seize. All in all, its the same thing people have done for ages when trying to sell a car with a slipping trans. Dump in a can of brake fluid and hope for the best. Just now days, its marketed as a good thing for your car. I call it, scam in a can. For the morons that buy it, more power to them, more tranny work for me.

Jstlkb4, you need to find a reputable shop.

 

joboo do you reccomend going to a specific tranny place or just any reputable service station

 

never having driven an Auto before I got my Bronco, how can I tell if its slipping or I have a problem?

 

Jstlikeb4,
Any good "quickie lube" type place should be able to flush your transmission fluid competently. I'd say most of these places are competent and able. There's no need to take it to a transmission shop for just a fluid flush.

Muckypaws,
Check your transmission fluid level just like it says in the owners manual -(flat surface, vehicle running, normal operating temps, cycle the gear selector through each detent down and up allowing it to engage at each detent, then pull and wipe the dipstick, reinsert it and pull for your correct reading with the vehicle idling in park.) Make sure the fluid is clear bright red when you check it. The owner's manual will usually tell you about the shift points for the automatic, which speeds it should shift into a given gear. Also, the engine and trans should always feel coupled. If the engine RPM's rise when upshifting, or it has to clunk into gear, that's a sign of a problem. Quick rule of thumb - if shifts feel good and positive, it's probably ok.

 

ok thanks to everyone i really appreciate the help

 

i just wanted to thank everyone for their input i went to a precision auto care today and got the tranny service and they told me that probably the goodyear guys probably didn't have the right parts thats why they said they couldn't do it. but my baby is running great now so thanks again for everyones help