I have an 01 CL type s with about 171k miles and am considering a transmission fluid change. It's currently shifting pretty smooth between gears and don't have any issues but the first shift is sometimes felt between 1st and 2nd. Not sure when it was last changed since I purchased it at 138k miles. I've heard that changing fluid can cause issues after if it's been too long as I might be better leaving it.

Any thoughts? Should I change it?

BTW I've checked fluid and it still seems pretty red/clean on the dipstick.

 

Some say that changing old fluid can cause issues, believing the fresh fluid may dislodge old particles and other crap, causing failure. The truth is that if your transmission is going to fail, it's going to fail, new fluid or old.

I don't see it as a bad thing to change even if it's been a long time. One wouldn't keep running the same motor oil just because it hasn't been changed in a while.

 

If your fluid is pretty red, then I would say you picked up a car from someone whom either took excellent care of the car (congrats) or replaced the transmission some time before you picked it up (still good in my book).

Most people on here are changing the fluid @ 15K miles, and those who are really ambitious are doing the 3x3 flush.

I would be proactive and change mine; by the time it turns brown it's probably too late?

 

Ok thanks I'll give it a shot.

 

Yes I purchased from an older man who had it for the last 13 years and bought it after it was 2 or 3 years old. Got it for 3k and was in great condition and didn't have any major work done to it.