If someone sells a replacement filter for it, there is obviously a time to change it. I suspect your friend is not reading his manual right.

I know people who will NEVER change trans fluid (claim they used to and EVERYTIME after they did or had it done, the trans was done for). I think someone did something wrong.

I've successfully changed trans fluid/filter on two different cars at 100K miles. One of those cars is my current Grand Am. I recently crossed 200K miles, trans and entire drive train still runs great. I think next spring I will change the fluid again on the Grand Am (perhaps for the last time).

And I think the Monte and the wife's Mustang will get trans fluid/filter change next spring too (both are around 60-70K, but stored winters, it just seems like a good idea due to the time they sit, some fresh good stuff).

 

No, a code will only get thrown if a particular component goes bad or a sensor detects an out-of-norm condition. Transmission issues will often happen with no code thrown.

Start simple / cheap and do a fluid change. Based on the mileage, it's a given it needs fresh fluid. If that doesn't help, you may need to have a tranny tech take a look.

 

In relatively flat terrain, 100K is possible between fluid/fluid changes. In hilly terrain, like where I live, it's more like 50K. I play it safe and change every 30K now. Cheap insurance for the health of the tranny. I mistakenly listened to the dealer who told me I was good to 100K; my tranny failed at 92K...

 

Good point, I am so used to my location and completely forget about the fact the stress on my trans is minimal (and hilly terrain would be the crap out of it). I figure if the car lasts through this winter (and I am certain it will), it will be deserving of a fluid change.

I think your advise to the OP can't be better spoken. Fluid/Filter, cheap, easy point to start.

 

Pressure control solenoid?

 

i would drop pan and change fluid. personally i droped my pan and changed the filter my god it looked very dirty on the filter part. but i did take it to a shop to have them hook it up to the machine to do the rest as in get all the dirty fuild out the reason why i did that is because it would void my extended warenty if i didnt. not just that i didnt like the idea that there is still dirty oil in there some where and didnt want the torqu converter to break. it is the first thing to take a bront of the engine torqu.

 

I've always been told if it's high mileage and never been flushed - don't flush it, just change the fluid and the filter. Those little particles that have been wedged in the gears and have made little nooks and crannies for themselves get flushed out, then it gets sloppy and starts slipping.

 

I think just fluid/filter changes at a normal interval is the way to go. I question the tranny "flush" method, period.