85 Transmission Recommendations

[rmmagow]

Hi All,
My 85 300D w/193,000 seems to shift perfectly. No flare, soft and smooth shift under light acceleration, more firm under heavier acceleration but not a bang, just a nice firm shift. Generally I feel it works as designed. The fluid looks OK, reddish, no particular smell.
So, my question, should I leave well enough alone for now or should I service the transmission, fluid and filter to keep it happy? I am driving it 100 miles a day, highway at 70~75 mph and will be doing so until the first salt on the roads in New England. It then goes to sleep until spring unless pressed into service due to other vehicles acting up.

[Govert]

According to the maintenance schedule fluid & filter change should be done every 35,000-40,000 miles. It prevents trouble.

If the fluid smells burnt, or is dark red/black, you're too late.

[Brian Carlton]

Come on Rich..........you don't leave "well enough alone" with regard to engine oil changes...........do you?

You wouldn't make the argument that the "engine is running fine so I'll just let the oil go 20K miles.........".

All the other fluids on the vehicle need replacement at specified intervals for the exact same reason.

[rmmagow]

OK, changing this weekend. DEXIII right? I have the filter kit and gasket already. I'm gonna drain the TC too. Still looks good and no bad smell. I wasn't even sure about service intervals but can tell from other things that the PO took care of the beast, so will I.

[WDBCB20]

People who put off or forgo transmission fluid & filter changes are reputed to be transmission shop's best friends.

Ever notice how much better a transmission responds after being serviced?

Consider the fluid as just another component of the transmission -the component most subject to wear (and, depending what condition it is in, most preventative or causative of wear of the other parts) and yet the least expensive and easiest to replace.