Do garages change all the ATF?

MissMoppet · 18th June 2018, 12:40

When I bought by motor I asked the garage to change the ATF as I had read that this was not an easy job. 60K miles further on I thought I'll do it myself. So equipping myself with the right ATF and reading the "How to" I set about chocking the car up with all 4 wheels off the ground. This is when the full enormity and peril hit me not relishing a ton and a half of metal above me. Having perhaps too much imagination I didn't fancy working underneath so with some reluctance I approached my usually excellent local garage to do it for me. Back came the honest reply: "We'll do the sump but not run the engine to get it all out, unless at your risk." Which leads me to think "Is this what all garages do when you ask them to change the ATF?" I'm happy to just drain the sump - maybe 4 litres - but do it more often than the recognised £60K. So: (a) is this what all garages do (b) will it make any difference if I do it say every oil change, 12K miles?

macafee2 · 18th June 2018, 13:24

ATF?
automatic transmission fluid

macafee2

slovcan · 18th June 2018, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

When I bought by motor I asked the garage to change the ATF as I had read that this was not an easy job. 60K miles further on I thought I'll do it myself. So equipping myself with the right ATF and reading the "How to" I set about chocking the car up with all 4 wheels off the ground. This is when the full enormity and peril hit me not relishing a ton and a half of metal above me. Having perhaps too much imagination I didn't fancy working underneath so with some reluctance I approached my usually excellent local garage to do it for me. Back came the honest reply: "We'll do the sump but not run the engine to get it all out, unless at your risk." Which leads me to think "Is this what all garages do when you ask them to change the ATF?" I'm happy to just drain the sump - maybe 4 litres - but do it more often than the recognised £60K. So: (a) is this what all garages do (b) will it make any difference if I do it say every oil change, 12K miles?

I would say it is more normal than people think that a normal garage would just do a "pan drop" ATF change (often there isn't an actual drain plug, depending on the manufacturer). Some oil change specialty garages (do you have them there?) have the pressure bladder type machines that they connect to your transmission cooler lines to completely pump out and replace all the ATF. This should be done. After that, I think the bi-annual pan drain/re-fill will be fine. One of those should be an actual pan drop to have a look at/clean the screen/filter.

Cheers,
Glenn

SD1too · 18th June 2018, 16:08

Hi Dave,

Simple answers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

(a) is this what all garages do

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

(b) will it make any difference if I do it say every oil change, 12K miles?

Yes; the difference will be that a progressively greater proportion of your fluid will be new at the mileage you choose to carry out the change.

Simon

Brunty · 18th June 2018, 19:34

Had mine done twice last month. 1st time garage said only 3 litres came out, black, looked like it had never been changed, suggested that I did the same after about 2 weeks. 2nd time 4 litres changed. Unbelievable how much difference this has made. Well worth doing. Said do it again in about another 4 years.

18th June 2018, 12:40	#1
MissMoppet Posted a thing or two R 75 Tourer diesel Conny 2002, V6 Conny saloon petrol 2003 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Taunton Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 212 Thanked 406 Times in 223 Posts	Do garages change all the ATF? When I bought by motor I asked the garage to change the ATF as I had read that this was not an easy job. 60K miles further on I thought I'll do it myself. So equipping myself with the right ATF and reading the "How to" I set about chocking the car up with all 4 wheels off the ground. This is when the full enormity and peril hit me not relishing a ton and a half of metal above me. Having perhaps too much imagination I didn't fancy working underneath so with some reluctance I approached my usually excellent local garage to do it for me. Back came the honest reply: "We'll do the sump but not run the engine to get it all out, unless at your risk." Which leads me to think "Is this what all garages do when you ask them to change the ATF?" I'm happy to just drain the sump - maybe 4 litres - but do it more often than the recognised £60K. So: (a) is this what all garages do (b) will it make any difference if I do it say every oil change, 12K miles? __________________ Rover 75 Tourer Conny 2002 remapped 160 auto, R75 V6 2.5L auto Connoisseur 2003

18th June 2018, 13:24	#2
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,971 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	ATF? automatic transmission fluid macafee2

18th June 2018, 19:34	#5
Brunty Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Newtown Posts: 419 Thanks: 273 Thanked 95 Times in 65 Posts	Had mine done twice last month. 1st time garage said only 3 litres came out, black, looked like it had never been changed, suggested that I did the same after about 2 weeks. 2nd time 4 litres changed. Unbelievable how much difference this has made. Well worth doing. Said do it again in about another 4 years.