Transmission maintenance: Flush or Change?
 

I have a question. I have been reading about the fluid service recommendations for the Aisin. My MINI has 39,300 miles on it now and the fluid has never been changed. I would like to change the fluid and filter for preventive maintenance to ensure the cleanliness of the fluid help keep the transmission running in top condition. When I called for a quote at a few independent shops for transmission service, the cost to change the fluid is about $450 more than flushing the system. :sad:
So here is my question: Given the miles on my car, should I flush the transmission fluid and have the filter changed, or is it better to simply bite the bullet and change the fluid and filter?

Thanks!

go buy 6 quarts of mobil one synthetic. do 3 drain and refill in your garage. you will get about 2 to 2.5 quarts out each time you drain. whatever you drain out replace with the exact amount. its a simple process. i've done one drain and refill and can tell a difference in my tranny. cant wait to do another one.

How hard it is to access the drain plug on the transmission? is there a filter as well?

the drain plug is the easy part. remove the plastic panel underneath and its right there. the fill plug is the hard part. its a t-55 torx bolt and getting a funnel in there and not leaking atf when refilling is the challenging part. my garage smells like atf :lol:

LOL, thanks! So you think this is the best way to go then? How will I know how much fluid I have drained? Is there a canister they make that labels/measures how much fluid has been drained?

the drain pan i bought at walmart has markers iindicating quarts. also u can buy a clear container that has measurements on it as well. its really easy to do and highly worth it.

Thanks a lot. I will probably do that and change the oil this weekend after I am finished with Winter Quarter final exams. Is there a filter that should be changed as well for the transmission?

from what i have gathered the filter is nothing more then a screen and its not worth the trouble to change the screen. it requires pulling the pan. you will be fine with just doing the fluid.

alrighty, thanks again!

Hi,
Our 2006 mini has 26k miles, and I am about to do 30k miles service myself.
I know the tranmission fluid needs to be flushed, and I heard that transmission computer needs to be reprogramed? Is this true?
Our car has jerks when I put the gear into D, or I should say it has delay when I step on gas. We took our car to a dealer 2 times, and they said it's normal because it's a CVT transmission. I swear car was much smoother 2~3 years ago....
Anyway, I can flush the fluid without problems, I just want to know whether I should get tranny ecu thing.
Thanks.

For the love of Pete, never FLUSH an automatic transmission using a machine. Google it, ask a trustworthy mechanic; you'll see why.

I have never done a fluid change on the auto tranny for a mini, but as far as filling it back up, buy a fluid pump from an auto parts store. They cost about eight dollars, screw on to the top of a quart bottle and come with a long, flexible hose that makes filling up a transmission a breeze.

i think you have some reading to do. and no one is suggesting flushing the drain. just drain and refill.

So I don't have to worry about reprogramming tranny ecu?
Do you guys have any DIY thread to flush tranny fluid? like what kind of fluid, how much I need to buy, etc....
Thanks.