way to tell if transmission fluid has been changed

[philip_pc]

with all these stories coming up of dealers ripping customers off on service's where they are invoiced for services that were not even performed just wanting to check if there is actually any way of double checking if the items written on the invoice have actually been done. i know that there are certain things that cannot be identified, such as tightening belt and stuff, but just the stuff that CAN be seen, my question is mainly focused towards transmission fluid.
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Engine oil --> check if the oil on the dipstick is fresh and clean
brake pads --> remove wheels and just look at them
transmission oil????
oil filter --> visually see if its the same one as before

would it be possible for people to add to the list, i think this should help people in general, just to make sure they are getting what they are paid for cause i just read a post about s fella with a S2000 that went through these troubles with a very unethical service department and just thought i might start a thread on it

[Sir_vtec]

Generally if you go to a dealer, things are in an orderly manner.

You could believe a dealer when they say theyre changed the transmission fluid.

But from a private auto mechanic workshop, some are full of shit.

Theres really no way of telling whether transmission fluid has been change apart from draining it and inspecting the quality of the fluid yourself. Alternatively you could always remove the VVS from gearbox housing and stick a brand new or non contaminant oil dip stick into and pull it out.
Or you could loosen the fill bolt from the side housing of the gearbox with the car having all 4 wheels sitting flat on the ground, and if the mechanic has filled the gbox with more then require amount of fluid in the gbox, you should be able to see the fluid coming out and from there examine the quality and age of the fluid.

Just a few ideas if your really paranoid about being ripped off. lol

[blk_shadow]

or sometimes, you can judge it when you reversing. if the reversing sound is loud then you know that u prolly need to change the fluid.

other way is when u find it hard to shift in to gear

[philip_pc]

hmmmm, so these methods are really based on what the driver perceives of the cars "drive"
generally how long do you guys reckon the suggested interval is between transmission fluid changes? say general driving, nothing past 3.5rpm and once in a while (say once or twice a week up to 6-7rpm) giving it a bit more gas. i know the service manual says the first change is at 120,000km, it just seems a bit high for a fluid that is subjected to continuous shear and stress everytime the car is driven.

[power_of_dreams]

I got mine changed at 33000.
Cannot for the life of me understand how Honda service manual advises to change at 120,000.

If you can afford it, every 20k is probably a good idea (maybe even excessive), otherwise just change when things get sloppy.

[blk_shadow]

if you track the car often, its better to change the manual fluid when you do an oil change

[philip_pc]

I got mine changed at 33000.
Cannot for the life of me understand how Honda service manual advises to change at 120,000.

If you can afford it, every 20k is probably a good idea (maybe even excessive), otherwise just change when things get sloppy.

reckon every 10,000km would be advisable? i plan to keep this car for as long as i can so i really wanna make sure things are in good shape, at the moment im changing filter and oil every 5000km with oem parts and fluid.

[bennjamin]

for all hondas...standard or light to medium modified...

change oil every 5000ks
change oil fitler every 10,000ks
change gearbox fluid every 40,000ks etc.

Only change at shorter intervals if car used for track use or constant hard driving.