Just changed the oil in the tranny and 9 bolt. The T5 is now enjoying a fresh fill of Synchromax and the 9 bolt is full
of Redline 75W110. T5 shifts smooth.

 

ok....?

 

Haven't taken a decent drive in it since Sunday. I'll take her out this coming weekend. The T5 is shifting very smoothly.

The drain oil was pretty black coming out of both the rear end and the trans.

 

Question about this:

I bought a stock TA in February of 2018. It was well maintained, in great shape, one owner. It had 32,000 miles on it and I've put added about 3,000 miles on it now. The car runs just great.

I don't have maintenance records regarding the fluids. I've changed the oil of course and I had the brakes flushed and filled.

No idea when the rear differential fluid or transmission fluid (automatic) has been changed, if ever. Years ago I used to read warnings about older cars regarding automatic transmissions, basically saying that if you haven't changed it and the car is of a certain age, you're better off leaving it alone. I think the reasoning was that the new fluid might break down the old seals.

I tend to think that I should probably change the tranny fluid. Any thoughts? I know this is quite an old debate and I've read arguments over the years on both sides. Some people say that is absolutely a myth that new transmission fluid caused later problems and that in such cases, the transmission was on its last legs anyway.

 

I'd go ahead and change the fluid on both the tranny and rear end. And put a new filter in the tranny. Use good fluid, not the cheap **** or Iffy Lube.