2008 cx-9 automatic fluid change / flush

[icipi]

Hi, the dealership recommended automatic transmission fluid change (or flush?) at 39,700 miles. Seems to be too early and the manual doesn't specify any recommendation. This is 2008 CX-9. Any opinion? Is it worth doing?

Thanks.

 

[ceric]

There has been many threads on this.
Short answer is NO. There is no maintenance schedule on transmission fluid change.
It is supposed to be "life-time" fluid. i.e. change if something feels wrong.....
However, I was burnt by that "life-time" concept on a BMW before. I will never believe it again.
I did mine on 30K schedule if flushing it. 30K/45K/60K/... if drain and refill.
Dealers charge between $120-$150 for flushing it. Just FYI.

Some might call this a waste of hard earned money. Therefore, it is really your call.
I am sure the transmission can last 60K w/o changing the fluid.
What happens after that is on you.

 

[icipi]

Drain / refill seems to be safer, and probably can be a DIY project? How much can I expect to be charged by dealers for drain/refill? Is this something that you recommend getting done by an independent mechanic?

 

[ceric]

Drain / refill seems to be safer, and probably can be a DIY project? How much can I expect to be charged by dealers for drain/refill? Is this something that you recommend getting done by an independent mechanic?

Dealers do flushing.
Drain and refill only removes about 1/2 of the fluid (or less).
You need to make sure indie shop use the right fluid and do use the kit.
I don't know how much lower it can be than $120. For me, no.

Some people are aginst flushing.
I would also if you neglect the fluid until 100K and decide to flush it. Bad idea.

 

[c4racer]

I've done 50K drain and refills on our Protege5. Trans is at 160K now and works perfectly. I also switched to synthetic fluid. I do more than a simple drain however. I drain and refill it. then remove the output side hose from the trans cooler and push out 1-2qts at a time by running the engine and then refilling it until you get clean fluid running out. That method replaces almost all the fluid and is not disruptive to the system like a flush machine.