to that. As vehicles got environmentally conscious things, the world of automatic transmissions went crazy. At Ford, Henry’s cousins, the McGintys, decided the feud was on and brought out Mercon (very similar to Dexron), M2C138-CJ, Mercon LV, Mercon V and Mercon SP, to name a few. Not to be out done at GM the


McTavishs grandkids brought out Dexron II, IIC, IID, and lately Dexron VI. Everyone thought the gentlemen at Chrysler were nonplussed about what was going on until one of the cousins to the McGintys began working there aſter he got his science badge and they brought out ATF+3, and ATF+4. I’ve lost count now as to how many


different types of tranny oils there are out there and like fashion statements it seems every manufacturer has a few new kinds every year or so. So it is not only critical to make sure you get your tranny fluid flushed or changed as per schedule, but to make sure the right type of fluid is put in. Many are not only incompatible, but don’t mix backwards with older fluid types. Which is like remembering what the eighties were like, until you look at some old photos and go, “I really wore those clothes?” Not to mention the big hair! According to the ATRA (Automatic


Transmission Rebuilders Association), 90% of all transmission breakdowns are due to overheating, while according to the AA (Alcoholics’ Anonymous) the biggest cause of breakdown is putting the vehicle into R for race and storming through a brick wall, several other cars and a waiting taxicab. Almost all tranny fluids are a nice red


in colour in order to distinguish them from other fluids. Once your fluid has begun to change to a darker colour or, heaven forbid, brown, then it’s time to have the fluid flushed. If it’s turned gold, you’ve parked your RV at the end of the rainbow or Leprechauns have been relieving themselves under your hood. Also, if you’re into smelling things,


like flowers or this week’s laundry for that fresh-as-a-daisy scent, take a whiff of the dipstick. If the fluid has darkened


and begun to stink of overdone burnt pizza crust (I could murder a ham and pineapple pizza smothered in Mozza right about now) that’s a sign your tranny is getting overheated. Remember the hotter the temp of your transmission the more oſten you need to


change the fluid. An average transmission should run around 175 degrees F at which range normal service intervals will suffice; usually every 120,000 kilometres. Raise that by 20 degrees and you can count on halving the life of the transmission fluid and another half for every 20 or so aſter that. Many transmissions are constantly run around 200-230 degrees. Reach anything approaching 250 and real trouble begins, as in seals go hard, clutches begin to burn up and next thing you know you’ve got a box of neutrals, and you’re staring at a huge tow bill to the nearest garage. Most car transmissions run at 200 plus degrees, and RVs more than that, hence


the need for regular service intervals - 60,000 km’s for cars but only 40,000 km’s on most RVs. Having, and watching, your tranny oil temp gauge is very important in prolonging the life of your automatic transmission, especially when you’ve decided to push your 20 ton RV up the sheer mountain passes where the mountain goats will squint at you with you-gotta-to-be-kidding looks, or through the Mojave desert where snakes sip on coolers and use SPF80. Regular transmission oil coolers in vehicles usually involve running hot tranny


fluid into a section of the radiator where it is cooled by about 20 to 30 degrees and then ran back to the transmission. Adding an aſtermarket cooler is very wise and can drop fluid temps from 70 to 120 degrees. Newer models of coolers also have internal temp controls that don’t allow flow until a set temp is reached, allowing the transmission to come up to operating range faster. Synthetic trans fluids offer greater protection, but make sure the brand you’re using


is compatible with the original fluid. As a word of advice, I would usually have the tranny filters changed on every second visit along with a complete flush every time. Some new vehicles now have to be put on a hoist to have the tranny fluid checked,


via fill and drain points. Others require the purchase of a dipstick (I’m not kidding you); some need to have computer scanners to unlock certain components and weird tuby affairs inserted anally into a plug in the tranny pan. Small wonder you get a $60 bill just to check the tranny fluid and you might wonder ‘What, really, are those quick lube type shops putting into your transmission?’ If anything. d


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