My apologies if this is the wrong section to post this in...

Today I went to have my oil changed and the tech said my transmission fluid was "black with metal shavings in it." I paid for the fluid to be replaced.

My question: is this too soon for my transmission fluid to need replacing? I have a 2004 Honda Accord V6 EX, but I got the car in Oct 2003. I have almost 34,000 miles on it. I have my oil changed every 3,000 miles, and the last time I went in, I don't recall anything mentioned about my transmission fluid.

I'm not very knowledgable about cars, so expect my confusion if you use highly technical lingo.

Edit: Should I have the dealer check out my transmission?

 

34k miles is a little too soon for the fluid to be black with metal shavings in it.... but it wouldnt hurt to get the fluid changed.

 

sounds made up. :eh: where was this sevice performed?

 

Hope it wasn't Jiffy Lube.....
http://www.nbc4.tv/video/9152183/detail.html

 

Unfortunately it was Jiffy Lube. However, he did show me the transmission fluid from my car. It was dark, and there were specks of something in it, which I assumed were the metal shavings.

 

well that think is that could not be your fluid but some other guys car. Just do it your self and save it realy easy. I did my own Transmission Fluid and I change it every 40k and my fluid is still red.

 

I don't think that tranny fluid turns black at all. Dark red yes but not black.

 

You, sir, have just been scammed. Some shops will keep a bit of nasty fluid around and dip the tip of your dipstick in it, wipe it on a cloth, and show you so you'll change the fluid. I'd bet they didn't use Honda ATF either.

 

:werd: Go to the dealer and get it changed ASAP or do it yourself. NEVER, EVER go to those places to get service done. Only use Honda ATF every 20-30k miles and NEVER flush the tranny fluid.

 

metal shavings can be normal if they are on the drain plug. 2 yrs and 30,000mi is a normal time to get the fluid changed. if its truly dark and burnt u could smell it on the dipstick. it doesnt take much time to burn up an automatic tranny. just trying to get it out of a slick spot in the snow and ice can do it if u rev to high too fast trying to get out. if u drive in severe conditions then change the fluid 1x a yr. its not that expensive.

go ahead and have a honda dealer or a reputable independent import repair place do it. if all jilly lube did was drain it and fill it then most of your original fluid is still in the tranny. it would have to be drained/ filled 3x to get most of it changed. tranny flushing would get most of it out also but watch out on the flush.