I have a Heavy Duty F-250 with a 460 and I pull
my boat in overdrive with it. I also have an
Econoline Van with a 302 and I don't pull it in overdrive un less I'm going downhill or on flat
land.

My 2004 Ford F250 6.0L Diesel has a tow/haul button that I use when pulling my boat. It assists in braking, as it downshifts quicker and I don't have to use my brakes nearly as much.

I have a basic transmission question. Car info: 91 Chev Lumina Euro 3.1 front wheel drive, almostt all highway miles to and from work.

The question is this:
I was told by an older timer to pull the pan, replace the in-pan filter and gasket, put the pan back on and fill with new transmission fluid every 30 - 50,000 miles depending on the type of driving. Now I have heard from someone else that that only replaces about 1/3 of the fluid and is a waste of time and money and to just have the fluid flushed. They said it is more expensive to flush because it takes alot more fluid.

Now on my last auto trans vehicle (81 Pont Bonnieville) I bought the car with 66 k original miles and doing the filter/gasket change every 30 - 50 K miles the original trans lasted to about 150 K miles before I had to get it rebuilt.

Which is better overall; a gasket/filter kit every 30 - 50 K or a trans fluid flush and why?

Thanks in advance for the help and information.

What does your owners manual say?

I don't pull in OD with my Tahoe, because more than one GM service tech has 'advised' against it.

Now if I was pulling with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton PU with a heavier duty transmission, then I'd feel safer with pulling in OD.

If you keep your vehicles longer than 100k, then be careful.

If you trade your unit in every 60k, don't worry about OD towing.

What about older transmissions?? I have a 94 chevy silverado that I have changed the fluid on maybe three times in 200K miles. I'm leary since I've heard such varying statements on mixing old fliud with new fluid and creating problems- is that a myth or is there something to it?

I don't pull much with it any longer and don't want to upset the status quo. The fluid color has darkened some but is still mostly red.

okay...now that i'm reading this...answer this for me. I have a 2000 chevy 1500 with the 4.8 and tow haul. I pulled a 18ft single axle bass boat that i pulled in 3rd with no problem. But now I have a 20ft Skeeter tandem axle, and I could feel the difference when pulling it, because it was so much more boat and heavier. Am I going to have problems ???????? Before I bought the Chevy , I had a 91 ford Explorer, 5sp, and I threw the transmission out pulling the boat......so this really concerns me. I don't want a repeat?

I pull a 17 ft. boat with single axle with overdrive off. I have toyota 6 cylinder. Doesn't have a problem pulling. Wouldn't think of pulling with overdrive on.

I don't know anything about toyota transmissions, only gm. It used to be that all you could do was to replace the filter and about 5 quarts of fluid.
Since trans flush machines have gained more popularity you rarely see a filter change service.
On a flush you probably replace about 90 percent of the fluid instead of about 40 percent. With the price of fuel it is very hard to convince someone to pull their boat in third, but in a half ton pickup it will increase the life. A heavy duty with a 4l80 trans or allison you really don't have to worry about it. Also if there is more than 100,000 miles on a vehicle and it has never had the trans serviced I really would not recommend it. Most of the friction material is not on the clutches any more but in the fluid.

Here is the truth, you CAN NOT FLUSH A FILTER! I have always recommended a service, new filter and fluid. A flush will make the fluid look cleaner and a service i think is better in the long run

You are better off if you do both but it if came to one or the other I would do a flush. True if pull the pan you see if there is something coming apart but it will still have to be torn down. Modern day filter also to not plug up like they used to, nor do they fall apart like they once did. If the filter is stopped up you already have problems with something coming apart. my opinion only.

I�m a retired auto mechanic who owned his a shop for 25 years so here�s the deal. The problem is not pulling you boat in over drive; it�s starting out in over drive. Even though you have an automatic transmission it can be shifted manually. Just like when you pull out at the ramp, down shift to 1st, & then pull out. On the road start out in 3rd & then shift to over drive.

Now about changing the filter, I would recommend that with every second filter change you do a complete oil drain and filter change. It�s not hard just time consuming because you have to drain the oil at the tork converter.

As for the Chevrolets I would recommend buying a Ford

Guys, rule of thumb if the transmission can stay in OD & Lockup while towing then tow in OD. If it down shifts more than once on a hill pull into 3rd gear until you get to the top or out of the hilly area (ie Lake Travis area). My boss (who has been in the transmission business 25+ yrs) change your filter & fluid once a year or every 20k miles. With todays electronics it is important to keep the fluid clean clean clean. Rule of thumb if you have to keep the pedal on the floor in OD to keep your speed then you need to drop it down into 3rd.

The manufacture will have in the owners manual change it anywhere from 30k to 50k but if you read the fine print this recommended when the temp doesn't get over 80 degrees & and you are not in stop & go traffic which doesn't not apply to Texas!

For you guys that have late model GM's you have the tow/haul button on the shifter, USE IT.

MARCUS10, You have mail!

hey sniper, try my email now. I had the wrong address