Transmission Fluid in Pontiac Vibe continually dirty?

I just bought a 2003 Pontiac Vibe with under 60, 000 miles on it. The person that I bought the car from showed me documentation that the oil, air filter and transmission fluid had all been changed in August. I just took the car in to get another oil change and they said my transmission fluid was dirty. They even showed me it as it was being pumped out and comparatively it looked pretty dirty next to what was being pumped in. How can the transmission fluid get dirty in less than 3 months and very little mileage put on in that interval? Did the first guy not do his job? The air filter apparently also needs to be changed again. What could explain this?Transmission Fluid in Pontiac Vibe continually dirty?
Either the guy didn't do the job, got conned himself, or just had the fluid drained and not a full fluid exchange like you got. A fuild drain only replaces about 10% of the AT fluid. The mechanic drains the transmission pan and replaces/cleans the filter.There's still a lot of fluid in the transmission inner workings and even more in the torque convertor. SO, if you mix 10% clean fluid with 90% dirty fluid you would just end up with slightly cleaner ATF. It's always best to have a full ATF exchange. The price generally runs in the low 100s.Transmission Fluid in Pontiac Vibe continually dirty?
Because the owner didn't change it at 30,000 miles like the GM maintenance schedule told him (her) to.Transmission Fluid in Pontiac Vibe continually dirty?
a bad transmission fluid filter. tranny fluid filters are very small and can go out quite easily. buy one from advanced auto parts cheap and not so hard to replace probably not so hard on a vibe

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How many quarts of transmission fluid for a 98 eclipse?

i want to change the tranny fluid in my 98 eclipse, i understand the bell housing holds fluid i cannot get, but how many quarts should i need thxHow many quarts of transmission fluid for a 98 eclipse?
the bell housing don,t hold nothing. it,s the torque converter is what holds the most. i would say if your going to drain most of the fluid out of the converter then pick up about 7 or 8 quarts. if you put your car on ramps then some of the fluid will drain out of the torque converter.How many quarts of transmission fluid for a 98 eclipse?
its in the manuel

Aside from fluid changes or flushes, are there other ways to tune up an automatic transmission?

I hate the feeling of how laggy the automatic tranny feels when driving my 99 Civic, especially when after slowing down to turn corners or the delayed feeling when reaccelerating after slowing down from a faster speed. Are there any ways to %26quot;tune up%26quot; the transmisson on my model car? Or does it feel laggy just because its was built a slow car? Like will i just have to deal with it?Aside from fluid changes or flushes, are there other ways to tune up an automatic transmission?
There are lots more than a flush or fluid change that can be done to a transmission, but before doing anything see if you can drive another civic much the same as yours with a similar mileage and see if that drives any different to yours.



You can have the bands adjusted on your transmission or have it fully rebuilt with new clutches and bands. Be wary of the costs involved as it might not make a huge deal of difference, it would probably be cheaper to get a change over one fitted if you feel its needed.

Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?

Basically, after taking my car for service I realized the transmission fluid in my car is black and burnt -- something that obviously isn't good. I'm going to get it changed, but I'm tight on both time and money for the next week. Questions:



1) How long/how many miles can I really wait until I change it, without doing any (minimal) damage?

2) Is it likely that it's all ready done permanent damage? Like if I were to have it changed right now, would the transmission %26quot;recover,%26quot; so to say, and be fine? Or is there permanent damage, now that the fluid was left in this state for... months? A year or more? The transmission does slip, and there is a %26quot;high pitched whistling noise%26quot; that the car makes -- probably from the transmission.

3) How much should it cost to change the transmission transmission fluid? I was told it would be $139.99 at a Valvoline.



Also, if it matters, that car's a 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon. 2.0 liter engine 4 cylinder. It has 123,000 miles on it.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
In all honesty, I only read your question up until you wrote, %26quot;The transmission does slip...%26quot;

Don't waste your money on a fluid change - it's too late.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
LeAnne is most likely correct; that transmission is probably history. Black, overheated fluid like you have is a result of burned, overheated clutch disks that are likely too damaged to be much good any more. Quick check -- drop the pan. I'm willing to bet it and the filter will be full of clutch material. Time for a rebuild or a new tranny. :(Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
Slippage and the black fluid are related.The blackness is the material bonded on the %26quot;Bands%26quot;.Somewhat like a clutch material,it is bonded on the inside of the band and when the band is tightened against the ring gear the power gets transferred through the sun and planet gears.This basic design and principle dates back as far as1200C.E.If the band material is worn or glazed the transmission will slip.It also most likely has plugged the internal filter.In some cases the Band can be adjusted.Short of a total rebuild.Bendix makes a replacement band that can be installed without removal of the transmission.I would start with a fluid and filter change.Try to have the bands adjusted if the slippage gets to be too much then the fact that it is an Escort will come into play.What is the car worth to you?You may be able to coax it for awhile.The damage has been done to a commonly replaced part.Whistling noise could also be a source of slippage.Check the vacuum line(s) to the transmission regulator.Generally on the passenger side.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
Your transmission is ruined. Would have never happened if you had changed the fluid per the schedule. Sorry. Black transmission oil is death. It should be light pink in color.

Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?

Basically, after taking my car for service I realized the transmission fluid in my car is black and burnt -- something that obviously isn't good. I'm going to get it changed, but I'm tight on both time and money for the next week. Questions:



1) How long/how many miles can I really wait until I change it, without doing any (minimal) damage?

2) Is it likely that it's all ready done permanent damage? Like if I were to have it changed right now, would the transmission %26quot;recover,%26quot; so to say, and be fine? Or is there permanent damage, now that the fluid was left in this state for... months? A year or more? The transmission does slip, and there is a %26quot;high pitched whistling noise%26quot; that the car makes -- probably from the transmission.

3) How much should it cost to change the transmission transmission fluid? I was told it would be $139.99 at a Valvoline.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
Do NOT change your tranny fluid! Your trans is already FUBAR. You will need to have it rebuilt or replaced. If its low on fluid add some to get it to the right level but DO NOT change or flush it if its black and burnt. It sounds like you have burnt up the friction material in your trans- the stuff that makes it go. Your nasty black tranny fluid is the only thing keeping your car going forwards. You probably dont have much time left on the trans. Accelerate slowly and drive like grandma. And be ready to have it towed soon.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
If it works fine, add fluid ONLY.

DON'T Change it!!!!!!!!



ADDED:

If you change of flush it, it won't last more than 20 miles at the most.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
The damage may already be done. I would get it flushed as soon as possible and hope for the best.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
All I know is that black transmission oil is bad. What I do want to tell you is check with Ford shops on how much it is to change out the transmission fluid. Where I live, Firestone wants about $180.00 to do a transmission flush for our small SUV and Ford can do the same for $119.00. Shop around and also ask if they recommend a transmission flush, I'm thinking that most shops will recommend it and some people here on Yahoo! Answers don't recommend it.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
once your tranny fluid is black the damage is already doneBlack transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
the transmission have these things called clutch packs it and they are coated it a special material. if that coating wears off, it changes the color of the fluid to black or dark brown.basically the transmission is worn out and will need to be replaced soon.flushing it only makes it worse. if the trans is slipping and you have it flushed, odds are it wont go fifty miles before it completely gives out. the best thing you can do is just leave it the way it is and baby it, start saving up money for a new trans or a new car too.it may last a week or a year you really dont know.ford did have alot of trans problems and that one is about done, which is normal with the mileage.if you want to, lucas oil makes a trans stop slip and it works pretty good. you can find it at an autoparts store.just add it in there with the old fluid and that may help with the slipping thing. hope this helps you,sorry probably not the answer you were looking for but it is what it is.

Checking my Transmission fluid?

I just changed my transmission filter and fluid (whole deal) and in my book it said when done to add 4 quarts of fuild. So i did that and when the car is not running and the engine is warm the lid level is in the Hot range so it seems as if there is enough fluid. But when I do it with the engine running (How I thought your supposed to do it) it is barely at the bottom end of the COLD region of the dip stick. Do I need to add more fluid so when the tranny is hot and the engine is running the fluid level is in the HOT region?



If it makes any difference I drive a 1998 Ford Mustang 3.8L V6Checking my Transmission fluid?
No, you got it right. But if your transmission slips go ahead and add a littli more, that should do it.Checking my Transmission fluid?
I think so, but check with Auto Zone.Checking my Transmission fluid?
check yer owners manual for checking oil ...some newer cars are to be checked coldChecking my Transmission fluid?
you check the transmission fluid with the car running. If it says it's low, add another quart, but add a little at a time. you don't want to put too much in.Checking my Transmission fluid?
Look in the owner's manual for the proper way to check the transmission fluid. That's the way we used to check it, but times may have changed. good luckChecking my Transmission fluid?
You need to have the car running in park, warmed up..... then check the fluid, it should be in the safe or full region, whatever your stick says. Always check transmission fluid with the car running warmed up. Add fluid if it is low, 4 quarts is not enough to fill a transmission.Checking my Transmission fluid?
The proper way to check the fluid is with the engine idling in park...if it is reading lower, just add a little at a time until it comes up to where it is supposed to be...



I always check mine with the engine cold, you can't over fill that way...and you can't be too low either, most important...Checking my Transmission fluid?
the motor has to be running, so if it measures low while running add more fluid, also hold the brake and change gears to help the fluid move to where it needs to be, but only add a quart at a time!Checking my Transmission fluid?
what you need to do is warm up the car and park on a level surface and check the oil,while the engine is still running.if its low,fill it up to the full mark.probably what happened,is you drained part of the converter,which holds the most fluid,and if you did,then it will read low,until you finish filling it.i have the same trouble with my olds.,and its got a 3.8 in it.i thought i would never get it full.Checking my Transmission fluid?
add more fliud bc the fliud you put in when it wasent running was just the holding tank but after you turn on the car it runs the fluid through the transmission and lowers the amount in your car so i say turn it on for about a min or so and then check it if its still low add more and when its at the %26quot;line%26quot; where theres enough then your ok but do this process over and over till your reach that %26quot;line%26quot; on the stick that says its full hope that helpsChecking my Transmission fluid?
You should always check your transmission fluid with it warmed up.



The car doesn't need to actually be running (and probably shouldn't be).Checking my Transmission fluid?
Anyone who told you your engine should NOT be running is WRONG.......Some have said to check it with engine running and hot and on a level surface. They are RIGHT........

Check your dipstick, it will probably tell you how to check the fluid as well.. It should be, hot, engine running in parkChecking my Transmission fluid?
unless someone changed sticks on you ,, the dipstick on a ford car will tell you %26quot; check with eng. running in park %26quot; also if the trany is not at normal opperating temp the fluid will expand some ,,, usually there are a set of hash marks or xxxes on the stick with the word FULL at the upper end ,,, also it will say not to over fill ,,,,, the others stating extra loss of fluid from converter is true ,,,,, add till you come between the top and bottom of the xxxes on your stick and you should be good to go ! ! !

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Im looking @ buying this used 98 Acura CL but it needs the solenoids on the transmission to be replaced?

How much is this gonna cost? I dont want to have to replace the entire transmission. Kelly Blue Book is $3295 and the guy's willing to take $2200...Is it worth it? (Also needs: Transmission flush, fluid change and cleaning of filter)Im looking @ buying this used 98 Acura CL but it needs the solenoids on the transmission to be replaced?
it most likely needs a transmission. these are notorious for complete failures. i've had plenty with new solenoids and pcms from transmission shops that i've put new transmissions in. solenoids alone are $500+. Flushing a honda AT won't fix anything. and there is no filter to change. Plan on $2500-3000 for a good reman trans, installed.