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Probably this is a transmission flush offered to you by a chain garage (Midas, Mieneke, etc.).
What it will do is cause a trans that's working at least OK to work worse.
Don't walk away, run away.
If you do anything just drain and refill, using the correct type of ATF, not that "multi-vehicle" crap offered by quick-lube outfits. That and replace the filter and pan gasket if it has a filter, I would suggest OEM, or NAPA Gold, or Pure-1 for the filter, and would recommend against Fram.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Agreed, with something that old and that many miles unless it has been done every 60,000 or more during it's life, flushing most of the time causes leaks and dislodges burned on crud and causes failures. Rebuilds run more than it's worth, $2,500-$3,000. Service usually runs $90-120 but I'd just check the fluid level regularly and count your blessings. That particular
transmission commonly fails at 120-140,000 miles.
Well, it's actually not that old and worn out, if it's V6. But come to think, onn my 91 Sable trannie failed right about around same mileage.
HS, simple tune up is - and why do you need one? - to buy a can of Transtune by Seafoam, pour it into the transmission, drive on it for good 500 - 1000 miles, and do full ATF change. That is done at the shop, unless you know what to do, by disconnecting cooler line and running ALL of it out. Sometimes they even connect vacuum to it to suck it all out. And then normal refill with appropriate quantity.
Thing is, entire ATF volume is normally 3 times to 4 times what you drain out of pan. You have plenty in torque converter and radiator and in lines.
I think all of us are implicitly assuming the tranny is basically working OK at present. Is it?
If not, unlikely that a fluid change will improve anything, although if the fluid is really dirty and burnt, doing a drain and refill is not likely to make things worse, may make things a bit better - but if the transola is slipping, shifting rough, etc.- so long as the fluid level is correct - most likely you are looking at installing a rebuilt or ex-junkyard trans to fix.
If it is working OK, the collective wisdom here is to do a drain and refill, and don't do any sort of flush.
i have a 1998 mercury sable that i just bought from an person and i now noticed that the vehicle seems to be idle up a tinch because as you increase speed , you can remove your foot from gas pedal and also the vehicle never seem to go in another gear somtimes but dont figure problem with transmission what do you thin,,,,anyone who is educated in this matter? thanks alot .
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