Hello! I have an 07 Mitsubishi Galant with 190,000 miles on it. The automatic transmission fluid is a brown color with very minimal black specs. I want to change it, but don’t want to risk ruining the transmission. Scotty says don’t change it if the fluid is damaged. Is this fluid too damage or am I good to change it? Transmission fluid is low BTW
when was it last changed? How is the transmission performing now and has it ever had issues?
Hi mountainmanjoe, not sure as I bought it used. I don’t think that it has had issues but I have slowed acceleration. No noticeable slips yet
A fluid change cannot damage the transmission. If anything happens after you change the fluid, it's because the transmission was already worn out, and the clutches were glazed. It was just hanging on by a thread, so to speak. The thread being gritty fluid. If that were the case, then you probably needed a new car soon anyway.
In any case, I would personally change the fluid. Other may disagree. If you do, then hang to the old fluid just in case you need to put it back in.
I would only top off the transmission fluid.
Hi yaser- can I ask why you choose to just top it off? Additionally, how would I know how much to put in to top off if I don’t know the transmission fluid level?
Hi, You are low on fluid and high on the miles. The color seems to be off and since you don't know when it was changed, you better be on the safe side and leave it alone. I should mention that this is my personal opinion and at the end of the day, it is your call to follow or not.
For the level, you should have a dipstick under the hood that you can check the ATF level.