Quote Originally Posted by dukeofmuffins View Post
I had an odd experience with my neighborhood dealer, and it's been bugging me for a while, so I thought I'd see what you guys thought. As I was getting ready for a 6 month deployment a few months ago, I figured it was a good time to swap out the trans fluid, in addition to the usual oil change and storage prep. I know the fluid is supposedly a "long life" variety, but it was looking pretty cruddy (sitting around 50k miles atm).
If the fluid looks cruddy it's long past due for a change.

I suggest you read this thread click here for a better understanding of transmissions and fluid.

An automatic transmission is THE most expensive mechanical part of any car to repair. Dealers and even manufacturers will tell you the fluid in it never needs to be changed. Unscrupulous repair shops will tell you any BS story that they might con you with - after taking your money. You know little or nothing and they are pros at lying through their teeth. The will exploit your lack of knowledge, because there is monetary gain in it.

Transmission fluid should look bright red. Not grey. Not pink, Not brown. Sure, your transmission will continue to function even if the fluid is worn out or degraded. Sooner or later it will fail. Any excuses and rationalizations made about the color and condition of the fluid, no matter who is saying them, are absolute nonsense.

It's easy to do a partial drain and refill yourself if the fluid looks deficient - it's as easy as draining and changing your oil. But people believe the BS and hokum that they are told by supposedly higher authorities, because they don't know any better. And so they wait until it is too late. Who profits from that?

The Aisin (made in Japan) automatic transaxle on all Aveos is apparently a very dependable (although ineffieicent) unit. Keep the fluid fresh and clean, and your tranny will probably last the life of your car without needing repair.