Question about transmission flushes
 

I had a transmission flush today. Everything went well, car still runs like a champ. I do have a question however: the bill clearly shows that it had a flush and a flush "kit". I watched them the entire time and the car never went up on the hydraulic lift. Don't you have to remove the pan to replace the transmission filter or is it different on Mazdas? I have the 2002 sedan.

when you do a flush it is different from doing a tranny service

the flush is a flush and thats it

the flush "kit" you speak of is just some other chemicals they put in the fluid to help clean out some of the other debris

do you have an automatic or manual? How much did you pay?

Isn't a "flush" where they drain and refill the fluid? Unless they have a pit, I would think it would have to go up to get the drain plug out. I worked at a GM/Toyota dealership and all the gm cars required a trans filter replacement, but the toyotas just got a gasket, the filter was reusable. I've heard of "flushing oils" for engines (we never used them), flushing fluids for radiators, but never for auto transmissions. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, chevy dealer down the way offered some kind of engine flush treatment that supposedly involved chemicals and vacuums and stuff. Maybe they did something like that on yours, sucked all the old fluid out and replaced it. Dunno.

The bill was 98 bucks. They had this thingamagigger with tubes and everything that he used. The bill also says flush and fill with new fluid. Maybe I got one of those filters that doesn't need to be replaced. On the sign where they advertise their basic services it just says "transmission service: 89.95...it doesn't distinguish between a flush or service.

do you have an automatic or not???

It's an automatic...

Yeah, I guess transmission "service" and transmission "flush" and transmission "oil change" are all pretty much the same thing. It's like how they call changing the spark plugs "minor tune-up" and charge you 200 dollars. The owner's manual for my 02 Protege shows automatic transmission fluid replacement in the maintenance schedule (no mention of filter). In the 02 factory service manual, under the directions for auto trans fluid replacement, no mention of replacing the filter, so if logic holds, you don't need to change the filter as part of regular maintenance. GM probably only specifies the filter replacement in their vehicles as a means of selling you an extra part you don't really need.

It sounds like the shop used a crappy vaccuum machine to suck the fluid out, mix with chemicals and then flush them back through.

When I do automatic tranny services I try to make sure I'm as thorough as possible.

1. add your detergents or cleaners to ATF dipstick hole....
2. drive the car to operating temperatures making sure it shifts into and out of each gear several trimes.
3. remove trans pan
4. remove/replace filter after ALL fluid stops draining/dripping
5. clean off excess gasket or silicone from trans pan.
6. use a die grander to remove any gasket from the trans body
7. re-apply a small bead of silicone around the transpan (optional)
8. re-seal pan starting fromt the middle of the largest side and working around towards the opposite sides middle
9. refill the ATF with .5quarts LESS than recommended
10. With the car running shift through the gears several times allowing the car to actually engage each gear before moving to the next (i.e. P-R-D-2-D-R-P over and over) Do this for about 3 minutes.
11. re-check atf level
12. If you have to add more add the second part of the trans cleaner kit (the additive thats supposed to tighten shifts or soften seals etc) THEN add the correct amount of ATF to top off.
13. Burp the tranny again via gear shifts.
14. re-check ATF level
15. go for a drive.

Shows how little I know about automatics. The procedures sound familiar, but I wasn't aware of the cleaners/detergent/additives part of it.

the chemicals are worthless (IMO). I know some people feel better using them so I say go for it. If you keep up on your maintaince on time you shouldn't have to worry about for a long long time.