I read somewhere that it is not good to change the Trannsmission (tranny) fluid. But I read that you must if your fluid colour is brown/dark red rather than the regular red colour which means its in good condition.

What am I to do? I don't know anything about changing the tranny fluid and really don't have the $$ to pay someone to do it. The engine is still okay, I change gears at a higher rpm for now, like 3700-3900 than the usual 3300-3500. Is the vehicle going to get any permanent damage?

Hopefully I don't have any real transmission failures, just to get the fluid flushed and refilled. Anyone got any info or advice?

Thanks for reading.

Well, you definitely didn't reed it hear. Even though the Pontiac Manual states that you don't have to change the transmission oil for 100,000 miles it was meant to be 100,000 highway miles. Most of us here change the trans oil at about 50,000 or even sooner(every year). If your oil is brown and smells bad it'* a good bet that something is cooked inside the transmission and short of some miracle oil I don't think that just changing the transmission oil and filter, or even getting the transmission oil flushed out, will improve the condition of your transmission at this point.

In the Tech Info section of this Forum there is a procedure that you can do to change the transmission oil yourself. But if you do have any "real transmission failures" this won't help, but again, it won't hurt. Maybe others here can offer you some better advice. Good Luck

Is your car worth 80 bucks? I'd suggest a professional flush at this point. Simply changing the fluid through the pan will only get 1/3 of the fluid.

90.00 for me but well worth it.

I have changed mine every 1.5-2 years on both of my Bonnevilles.

252,000 on the original trans when I sold my 89. Shifted great.

My current car has 143,000 on the original trans. It runs like a charm.

I would recommend changing the fluid at regular intervals. If it smells burned, it'* usually too late.