Why do Americans hate drain plugs? Drive line oil change queries.

[mxer147]

Last month I used an external fluid pump for 50k transmission service to empty the pan. It sure reduced the mess from draining and spilling since I pumped the old fluid directly into the recycling container. I still removed the pan, cleaned and replaced the filter. A well spent $50 to reduce the mess and know it was done right.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Last month I used an external fluid pump for 50k transmission service to empty the pan. It sure reduced the mess from draining and spilling since I pumped the old fluid directly into the recycling container. I still removed the pan, cleaned and replaced the filter. A well spent $50 to reduce the mess and know it was done right.

Probably a lot easier to measure how much came out, so you can determine how much new fluid to put back in. I've found that the newer the automatic transmission is, the pickier it is about the "correct" fluid level.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Amazing….
Rage bait, ignorance or filthy rich? Guessing not the latter as the vast majority of rich folks don’t run their vehicles 2-400k miles.

Guess I'm just ignorant

They say it's bliss.

I'm pretty happy.

 

[Ricko1966]

If you use an upside down trash can lid as a funnel over a drain bucket it's very easy to measure what you took out,what ever is in tge bucket is what you took out and how much needs to to go in. You can measure what you pour out of the bucket,or do a little math pi x radius2 x depth

Probably a lot easier to measure how much came out, so you can determine how much new fluid to put back in. I've found that the newer the automatic transmission is, the pickier it is about the "correct" fluid level.

 

[Turbo4whl]

John Deere, another manufacture that has stuck it up the end user. WE have many small JD's in the fleet, truck mounted for the street breaking air compressors, the welder trucks and a few others. We had a JD computer program that would let you clear codes and run a re-gen on the exhaust.

No more. If the operator ignores the codes/warnings, when the soot level goes above 3, the Deere will not re-gen on it's own. The worst is what fails. Sensors and the wiring harnesses, all from Deere fail. Not all the Deere dealers will even touch these small oil burners.

@WP29P4A

Update on this, our manager stated JD offered up a new program. None of the bosses could figure it out yet. The Company trainer now has it, we'll see what he comes up with.

 

[JBswth]

That 1 cent magnified x people want them to change 1000 other 1 cent items times a billion cars. It adds up. And a lot of these thing are a no issue deal for 99% of their owners. 99% of people don't maintain their vehicles,most will never have a brake fluid flush,change differential lubricant,change transmission fluid. Most never even check the levels. And most of the car enthusiasts that do maintain their stuff aren't buying and maintaining new cars it's older stuff. There were some guys on another forumn complaining about what a bad design it was the way GM put the fender emblems on some late 60s early 70s A bodies. JEEZ this is ridiculous you have to loosen the inner fenders to get your hand in there to remove the speed nuts so you can take the emblem off,what a bad design!! And others chiming in about how it is a bad design and how it should have been done. 99% of people never remove the fender badges,but they've stayed on the car for 60 years. I see nothing wrong with that design.

I agree about the fender emblems, which eventually moved to a better location, but no drain plugs is really stupid. Issues like this are what gives rise to the lie that our vehicles are low quality. Screw this "Maximum possible profits by any means necessary" attitude.

J. B.

 

[JBswth]

That 1 cent magnified x people want them to change 1000 other 1 cent items times a billion cars. It adds up. And a lot of these thing are a no issue deal for 99% of their owners. 99% of people don't maintain their vehicles,most will never have a brake fluid flush,change differential lubricant,change transmission fluid. Most never even check the levels. And most of the car enthusiasts that do maintain their stuff aren't buying and maintaining new cars it's older stuff. There were some guys on another forumn complaining about what a bad design it was the way GM put the fender emblems on some late 60s early 70s A bodies. JEEZ this is ridiculous you have to loosen the inner fenders to get your hand in there to remove the speed nuts so you can take the emblem off,what a bad design!! And others chiming in about how it is a bad design and how it should have been done. 99% of people never remove the fender badges,but they've stayed on the car for 60 years. I see nothing wrong with that design.

I agree about the fender emblems, which eventually moved to a better location, but no drain plugs is really stupid. Issues like this are what gives rise to the lie that our vehicles are low quality. Screw this "Maximum possible profits by any means necessary" attitude.

J. B.

 

[Grit dog]

Guess I'm just ignorant

They say it's bliss.

I'm pretty happy.

I forgot the other options. Lucky being one of them.
On that note, I’m always looking for a good old beater with a heater.
Since you have experience with running a lot of vehicles with zero maintenance, I’d enjoy seeing a list so I could keep my eye out for those old vehicles that run 3-400k on an original transmission and original fluid.

 

[goldpack]

years ago:

my brother needed a car right away as he lost a 2002 VW diesel in a wreck. working on 230,000 miles going towards a million)

I bought a 2003 saturn 300 from a neighbor. I asked him if he ever changed the trans fluid in 10 years / 150,000 miles of urban stop and go driving. ..

the answer was no. "the manual says it does not need to be changed"
and there is no dipstick to check. ...

still running fine though. I looked what fluid was in it: plain old Dexron III dino fluid, (non-synthetic)...that in a truck would be replaced every 30,000-40,000 miles....or more often in stop/ go driving; towing, on mountains/ snow/ dusty. (you know like "anywhere", any vehicle gets used)

(so a 2003 saturn,.... a sign of dipstick-less things to come)

I had my brother call 5 trans shops and ask for a pump through, and not just a drain / fill. (and they said the existing was dark brown, ...no coffee grounds though...so not actually breaking down and clogging the works up yet).

$300 later, and he drove it for 4 more years, no leaks no troubles.

until the rear subframe thing rusted through and the car's ass landed on the blacktop while parked. (and he had a junk man haul it away, ... ...a sad end to many a Chevy malibu type).

at least the GMC company pr;cks did not just put a 100% sealed transmission in for it to die in 100,000 miles exactly.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I forgot the other options. Lucky being one of them.
On that note, I’m always looking for a good old beater with a heater.
Since you have experience with running a lot of vehicles with zero maintenance, I’d enjoy seeing a list so I could keep my eye out for those old vehicles that run 3-400k on an original transmission and original fluid.

Every single one on Marketplace. Every one in the parking lot. Everyone you go past daily.

Only on enthusiast forums are people up at night waiting for their Blackstone analysis on their 3 month old oil.

You guy's really think Kyla from accounting is following the factory service schedule on her 2014 Hyundai Elantra?

 

[Jordi]

I’m used to dunking my suzuki in water up to its windows. All kitted out for deep water but it still gets in. Regular fluid changes are a must.

Latest RockAuto delivery arrived.

Transmission filter, air filter, oil filters for future changes.

Got the Ram front springs, rear shocks and service items to keep on stock.

Gonna be busy.

Hoping to have the Chevy useable for a few shows this year.

 

[xm20k]

You must remember for most people their car/truck is an appliance, point A to point B as long as it does that that's all they give a crap about. That's why 90% are some versions of black, grey, white or beige and they will drive them with as little money spent as possible either till it gets sold/traded off or junked.

Very few people drive to just drive anymore and could really care less about their Livingroom on wheels until it breaks. Let along give a rat's ass about maintenance.

 

[Keith Seymore]

That's why 90% are some versions of black...

You say that like it's a BAD thing -

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[xm20k]

I was just saying most new cars are all the same uninspired general shapes and in bland colors that just all blend in to all the other traffic.

Those cars have shape/design that even in black stands out.

You say that like it's a BAD thing -

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[Grit dog]

Every single one on Marketplace. Every one in the parking lot. Everyone you go past daily.

Only on enthusiast forums are people up at night waiting for their Blackstone analysis on their 3 month old oil.

You guy's really think Kyla from accounting is following the factory service schedule on her 2014 Hyundai Elantra?

Nice deflection. Of course I don’t think Kyla in accounting and Kyle in sales understand or even give a f. But they are not driving 300k-400k mile whatever’s on the original transmission with 0 service since the factory fill.