My wife just got a 07 town and country and im wanting to get the tranny fluid changed on it... All the places that i called are wanting 140-200 dollars to just do the fluid exchange (this does not include the filter)

I just called a reptuable transmission shop and asked for a exchange and he got a little rude at first and said the only way they do it is change the filter and then put in new fluid.. His price was very reasonable at $130.00. My thinking is if he drops the pan then i will still have old fluid in the TC mixing with the new fluid.

Which is better all new fluid or pan drop with new filter?

The van has 52k on the odometer

 

Here's what I have done on every vehicle (auto trans) that I have owned for 30 years....

At 20k miles, I change the filter (due to possible residual/initial wear particulates that may be floating inside) and either drain the torque converter (if so equipped with a plug) or disconnect the trans cooler line at the radiator, fill the pan with fresh fluid, my wife starts the engine and when 2-3 quarts drain into a bucket, she shuts it off, I refill the pan and repeat until the fluid is clear.

I change only the fluid after that (unless I determine substances/contamination in the oil). The intervals vary depending on the type of trans, type of fluid and conditions, but in general, every 30k miles. Heat is a killer on automatic trans fluid and when we lived in the desert area, I changed the trans fluid at the end of summer every year.

In regards to filters, oem is fine, but I typically use Wix.

In regards to trans oil, both in sticks and autos I have always used Valvoline.

I have also never had a trans failure in any vehicle I own and typically keep my vehicles for 10+ years, with over 100k on the odometer.

FYI- I would avoid allowing any shop to use ANY fluid exchange machine- I won't go into all the details but, the oem service manuals (all) specifically state not to use such equipment when servicing the tranny.

 

Go get an exchange, not a "flush". An exchange uses the machine in the passive mode, letting the tranny pump do the work of pumping out the old fluid and drawing in the new fluid.

Beechkid is full of it, exchange machines are all dealers around here use. In fact, the new F-150's don't even have an easily accessible dipstick/fill port.