The Minivan Club

[Pelado]

How are you all defining a "flush" of the transmission fluid? This mechanic recommends it periodically, but warns about making sure they do it right:

Let's start with the automatic transmission -- the most frequently flushed fluid besides the radiator. The advent of the transmission fluid exchange machine was a great step. In the past, automatic transmission fluid could only be changed by removing the transmission oil pan, which only holds three to six of the eight to 10 quarts in the transmission. The second you started the car, the new fluid mixed with the old, eliminating much of the benefit of the service.

The fluid exchange machine, which some people choose to call a flush machine, cuts into the transmission cooler line at the radiator. As the car runs, old fluid goes out into the waste tank while new fluid is simultaneously pumped in. If the shop is really thorough, the car is lifted and actually driven through all the gears while the exchange is taking place. And if the service is done properly, the transmission oil pan still has to be removed and cleaned and the filter replaced -- a solid hour and a half of work. So if a quick-lube shop is offering it to you in 35 minutes, something's not being done.

http://autos.aol.com/article/fluid-flush-fallacy/

[Pelado]

Honda recommends replacing the transmission fluid at 105k miles.

[Green Monstah]

The 01 to 05 Odysseys have. Otorious transmission issues. As I understand it, the tranny overheats and it suffers from slow viscosity breakdown. Drain N' fill is prob best, since the real issue is keeping the oil fresh.

Jacob, your tranny was toast nomatter what, but you grossly overpaid.

[FMCoug]

Honda recommends replacing the transmission fluid at 105k miles.

Nobody is arguing against replacement (drain and refill). A flush involves a machine that runs fluid through the transmission under some pressure while exchanging it.

The idea is that with draining any metal shavings, etc. will just go to the magnet or drain out. With a flush the pressure could cause the shavings to cause damage.

[Jacob]

Jacob, your tranny was toast nomatter what, but you grossly overpaid.

I overpaid because I spend a ton of money doing a major service, flushing all my fluids only top leave the shop with a transmission that didn't work, when it did before I went in. Then I paid the shop to not fix it, then I took it to another shop to replace the tranny. You are probably right that my tranny was going to fail sooner or later, but it would have almost certainly been later had I not got it flushed.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

My brother has an 01 or an 02 Honda Odyssey and his tranny hasn't gone out yet. He's had it since it was new. But I suppose it will be just a matter of time until he wishes he had Ping's 97 Nissan Quest, but by then it will be mine, not his.

[wuapinmon]

I'm sitting in Cale Yarborough Honda in Florence, SC getting a quote for a 2013 exp Odyssey. The damned door just,led the track and won't close.

[myboynoah]

I'm sitting in Cale Yarborough Honda in Florence, SC getting a quote for a 2013 exp Odyssey. The damned door just,led the track and won't close.

Demand to see Cale himself. Tell them you're a doctor.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm sitting in Cale Yarborough Honda in Florence, SC getting a quote for a 2013 exp Odyssey. The damned door just,led the track and won't close.

Spending that raise already?

[wuapinmon]

Demand to see Cale himself. Tell them you're a doctor.

Oh, they knew already. I was taken to the VIP waiting room, and Cale Yarborough himself handed me the keys and invited me over to dinner this Sunday with him Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, and Terry Labonte. He asked me to bring cole slaw.

Spending that raise already?

Shit, man, not by choice. I just bought a $38,990 MSRP vehicle. They gave me $17000 for my trade-in, which I know was only worth about $14,000. I told them I could pay $475 a month (I could pay up to $500). Of course, they came back with "$490's." I say $490 and it's a deal. They came back with $498. I countered with $490. They dropped to $494, I asked for a Coke Zero, a free oil change, and help getting all my shit out of the old one. Done deal.

Now I just have to pay for the damned thing. Final sale price was $34,840 for a red 2013 EXL-RES Odyssey with $0 down and about $1100 in equity from my trade-in. My 2008 one had one door jump the rails today; I drove 30 miles to the dealer with the door open. It's been making odd noises above 70 mph. What sucks is we just bought the new maps for the nav system, and this new one doesn't have navigation (I couldn't afford the $46k Touring Elite model). Also, I just bought brand new tires at Christmas, but they said that's why they gave me above book on my trade because they were top-flight Continentals. The new one has Michelins.

Anyway, I had no plans to buy a new car anytime soon, but my wife wants to drive to Utah this Summer, and I'll feel much safer driving a new car than a 5 y/o one.

Here's what it looks like (this one isn't mine):

[YOhio]

Thanks, Wuap. I appreciate the thorough rundown on your vehicle situation. Very informative.

[wuapinmon]

Thanks, Wuap. I appreciate the thorough rundown on your vehicle situation. Very informative.

I can fax you the contract if you'd like. I'll include those tasteful photos you asked for back in 2009.

[FN Phat]

Congrats. We will be looking for a minivan this summer

[Coach McGuirk]

I'm getting out the club this month.

Yay!

[Donuthole]

The Odyssey is awesome. We comfortably fit 6 men (4 of us over 6'-1", two over 6'-3") plus 6 sets of clubs and 6 duffel bags into an Odyssey for a golf trip last summer. But $500/mo! Holy shiz that's a lot for a car! But then, I pretty much drive the crappiest car at our office (staff included).

Our family still fits into our Kia pretty nicely, but if Mrs. D ever gets child #4, we'll probably upgrade to the Honda.