[Shop-talk] Auto xmission fluid change

[Karl Vacek]

I agree that inspecting the pan is a good thing, but it's a step skipped by
many of the less-ethical shops that use flushing machines.  If they don't
drop the pan, they can't change the filter either.  I've heard quick-lube
guys more than once assure a customer that the flushing cleans everything
out and a filter change is just an unnecessary expense.  Rrrrriiiiight...

Karl

-----Original Message-----
From: Randall
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Auto xmission fluid change

> I've always wondered why manufacturers don't put drain plugs in 
> transmission pans.

I've heard several justifications for that; the one that seems most likely
to me is that changing transmission fluid is a rare enough occurrence that
it isn't worth the extra cost and complexity of a drain plug plus an
external oil filter (so the filter can be changed without dropping the pan).
But it's also a Good Thing IMO to wipe out the bottom of the pan, to both
remove dirt and to see any evidence of impending failure.