This time last summer, my family and I drove from California to Florida. I had my '96 explorer completly serviced before the drive and had no problems at all during the trip. When I got to Florida I had my oil changed at a Quick Lube until I got settled. One of the techs recommended that I get the transmission flush service that they offer. I explained to him that I had just gotten that service done, and it should not be ready to be flushed again. My question to all is, since I did not replace the filter when I got the tranny flushed the first time, could that be the reason why the fluid was dirty?? I have no problems with the trans at all, and prices are looking good to get a tranny tune-up..is it advisable to have it serviced and replaced with synthetic?? any and all comments are greatly appreciated.

 

Total flushes are great because they replace all of the fluid, however they do not change the filter. The filter is designed to hold a lot of dirt, sometimes all the filter is is a screen. I would say the quick lube place was trying to do their "thing" where if it doesn't show the last service on "their" records it needs to be changed. I have taken work trucks to quick lubes and after, I end up checking things myself anyway to make sure they don't mess up. Every time, they told me I needed a new air filter even though I just replaced it myself 2 weeks earlier and one time they didn't grease the steering joints, but had it on their checklist. I called them on this and got a free change for it.

As far as regular transmission maintenance goes, I would stick to 30k intervals. I am pretty sure you can drain the torque converter on the explorers, so it would be best to change the filter every time and drain the torque converter which gets almost all the oil out. If it cannot be drained, alternate every other time with filter/flush.

I think synthetics are a good idea for automatics. It depends on how long you depend to keep the vehicle though. Regular dino changes will give a transmission a long life.

 

I work part time at a quick lube that sounds a lot like the one you went to. The benefits of a flush is that you get all the fluid replaced even in the torque converter vs about 30% with a regular filter change. Our machine claims to backflush the screen or filter so it is not required to change it. This is a bunch of BS! Make a deal with the place that does your services. We charge 80 bucks for a flush and 80 bucks to change out a filter but we have a combo deal where it costs $100 to have both done. If your fluid looked dirty after a short period of time they just didn't run enough fluid through your tranny when they flushed it. Cmlind is right, about 30,000 miles is where you want get it done at. Our sheets say every 15,000 which I would agree with if you do any pulling or stictly city driving. Also about the air filter. They are going to show you that dang thing every time. They are going to take as much out of your wallet as you will let them. Don't think all the stuff they recommend is crap though. There are a lot of things that are important to keep up on.

 

 

Thanks for answering my questions...sorry it has taken awhile to say thanks..I will have the filter changed once I get the fluid flushed again...with my air filter, I have a K&N.