transmission fluid needs changed Options

[Terzin1]

I'm looking to do some regular maintenance on my 95 GT vert. The car runs fantastic. I just checked the tranny fluid stick and it's looking a littler more brown than I like. I've had the car nearly a decade and never had it changed, but I think my parents did at one point. Needless to say, it's pretty brown and needs it.

Is this something that I could do at home w/o a lift or is it something that is not worth the headache and I should get a garage to do it? If it's the garage route, what would a good price for the tranny fluid change be? First garage I called wanted $150.

This post has been edited by Terzin1: Dec 16, 2013 - 2:27 PM

[Special_Edy]

When the transmission fails after a fluid and filter change its usually because the transmission was already failing and the owner tried to fix it by changing fluid. In Texas we call it closing the gate after the horse has already escaped. If your transmission is working fine then changing the fluid wont cause it to fail.
You may as well have sawdust holding your transmission together as old fluid and the metal shavings.

ATF will typically last 20,000 to 100,000 miles depending on its operating temperature. The hotter the fluid gets the quicker it breaks down, and below a certain temperature there is no breakdown. Some newer transmissions will never require a trans fluid change as its intended to last the life of the vehicle. The transmission fluid naturally fills up with metal from the clutches inside your transmission. Make sure to clean off the magnetic ring that's in your pan.

It will probably only cost $30 to $50 to do it yourself.

This post has been edited by Special_Edy: Dec 19, 2013 - 4:29 PM

[Terzin1]

It will probably only cost $30 to $50 to do it yourself.

Would it help at all if i drop the pan, let half of it out, replace with new fluid, and let the old and new mix? The idea being that the the mixture would be better for the system?