What's the longest you've seen a transmission last?

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BobAbq87107@reddit

My 1997 E320 had 511,000 miles on it before I sold it last month. I did flushes every 50k and diligently maintained the car myself. The car was a tank but NM sun was not nice to the exterior.

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mandatoryclutchpedal@reddit

I only drive manuals so this is not a question i can answer.

Pretty sure the transmission for every car I've owner is still out there wandering the forest hunting for elk.

I've a 23 year old camry that still has the original gearbox oil from the factory.

Crap, just about every car I've ever owned was sent off to LA la land with the original gear oil and in perfect working order.

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My 08 Chrysler 300C AWD with the 5 speed nag1 has 230,000 on it and the transmission still shifts like new. As far as maintenance goes idk it's history I just saw it at a dealer test drove it and bought it on the spot cause it was one of my dream cars and this one was specced perfect. Was the right color, interior color, and AWD like I always wanted to. It needed and needs a lot of work still. I recently over the weekend changed the transmission fluid, replaced the front and Rear differential fluid, flushed and replaced the brake fluid, power steering fluid, and the coolant and it drives even better than before. I didn't see any clutch material or glittery metal anywhere in the transmission fluid or transmission pan so I think the trans will outlive the motor.

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SubjectTension6644@reddit

I just serviced a 08 Corolla at work. Was an automatic the odometer was maxed out on 299,999 miles. The whole car was falling apart the struts were gone and the motor was leaking everywhere. It still rand and shifted perfectly though.

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SubjectTension6644@reddit

I've also serviced a 08 Tacoma. It had 600,000 miles and it was practically brand new. It was even dirty or leaking anywhere. Looked like a brand new truck.

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WillowOk2122@reddit

2004 f150 5.0 triton engine and 5 speed automatic transmission lasted me well over 850k no repairs or any issues whatsoever would have continued if it wasn’t stolen

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jawnlerdoe@reddit

Shortest transmission life: ND Miata lol.

My civic is at 190k or so, but I’ve seen a few posts on /r/civic of the 8th gen getting over 400k on stock powertrain. Mine still runs flawlessly

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CantThinkOfAnyName@reddit

ND miata is a cheat code for shortest transmission life, but hey, at least they are at their 6th (?) revision now?

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jawnlerdoe@reddit

5 to my knowledge. Reputable sources say that the different “versions” are only marginally different though.

Early cars had metallurgy issues.

2021-23 cars had syncro issues.

All cars have a weak transmission though.

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CantThinkOfAnyName@reddit

Man that sucks, are these replaced after warranty at least, given the vast amount of confirmed issues?

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jawnlerdoe@reddit

Nope. Mazda does a good job at replacing them under warranty.

I follow the ND community pretty closely. People who experience issues usually drop the platform, get a built transmission, or an Nc transmission.

It’s interesting the issue is inconsistent. Some drivers have three failures in 15 track days. Some get 30 track days on a problematic year with no transmission issues.

The dual mass flywheel and an ECU retune reduces harmonic oscillations and shock loads for the ND2/3. Interestingly, that dual mass flywheel sometimes breaks transmission because the clutch is springless.

My ND is at 44k no issues. There is thought in the community that driving style comes into play.

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TrptJim@reddit

It's been a hard thing to pin down. For the most raced car in the US, there has been little evidence that such hard use has lead to a higher percentage of failures. Some cars are even failing at very low mileage.

The entire thing is just strange, with Mazda happily continuing to replace transmissions for anyone that needs it like it's just normal. You'd think they would have additional restrictions this many years later, but they will still happily repair a Miata that regularly races in addition to anyone else.

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jawnlerdoe@reddit

Maybe so many transmission are failing that it keeps their manufacturing up and costs down 🤣

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CantThinkOfAnyName@reddit

NC transmission has bunch of other issues, but at least it rarely breaks under stock power.

Probably mazda is right that driving style and mechanical empathy is the deciding factor here.

Nonetheless, sucks that almost 10 years later the issue is still very much alive, I guess I'll myself wait for NE generation to chase big power. Fingers crossed yours is reliable!

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biggsteve81@reddit

My brother has a NC Miata with the automatic and well over 300k miles with no problems.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

Gen 2 Prius to the heat death of the universe for most of them. I have seen 400k plus on them many times.

F150 6 speeds also seem to do well here in California. Not sure if it's the climate or that people don't tow as much here. Couple 300k+ that I have seen.

We have a local 355 Porsche owner in the club that has 700k on his car. Lots of clutch replacement and a 2nd gear synchro but not much more than that.

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biggsteve81@reddit

The Prius transmission is just a single (or in later models, two) planetary gearset that has 2 electric motors, an engine and an output shaft attached to it, along with a parking pawl. No clutches or anything fancy to break, as long as the fluid doesn't leak out of it.

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lazy_and_bored__@reddit

iirc there's a clutch between the ICE motor and generator, and a clutch between the ICE motor and planetary gear.

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biggsteve81@reddit

Nope. There is a device that looks like the clutch in a manual transmission between the engine flywheel and the planetary gearset, but that is only designed to slip if the engine produces too much torque so the transmission isn't damaged. Newer versions also have a one-way sprag clutch between the engine and the planetary gearset to prevent the engine from running backwards and allow MG1 to contribute torque to drive the vehicle. None of those function like the clutches that are in an automatic transmission.

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tbenoit94@reddit

The 6R80 is fantastic. My boss has a 16 F150 that he dogs the shit out of literally every day (sometimes while towing a boat) and he finally had to do his at about 180k. I can't believe it lasted that long with the way he drives. The 10R80 that followed it is among the worst transmissions on sale, which is a shame

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Background-Head-5541@reddit

The 6R80 is great. Up until the lead frame goes out and those cooler lines start leaking. I was able to do those repairs myself at home.

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KanterBama@reddit

I thought the 10R80 was god’s gift to the automatic transmission based on Mustang owner’s comments online, do they work better in lighter cars, or have those owners not hit the mileage to where they become a problem?

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OpinionofanAH@reddit

The 10 speed is fantastic in the trucks too. Until they have problems. Performance wise it’s great but they get sloppy after a while. I bought a truck new with one and by about 11k miles it was shifting weird and a few times it just kind of just popped out of gear and revved like it was in neutral while shifting. The other truck I’ve had with one I bought used with 22k miles and by the time it hit 45k miles it was shifting very rough at times and sometimes wouldn’t pick the right gear. The 5.0 and 10 speed match well together but the long term durability is iffy. My wife’s car is an explorer with the 2.3 eco boost and 10 speed and it seems to do a bit better but it only has 8k miles on it so time will tell.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

People don't know how to keep them alive or just expect them to be bulletproof and rag on them. Again lots of tire and traction is what kills them.

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DuLeague361@reddit

if traction is killing your trans, then it's too weak. the whole point is to have traction

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coolguy100@reddit

I have 135k on my 22 2.7 f150 and have had no issues. Put 100k on a 19 5.0 as well. I do change my fluid and filter every 50k though which I’m sure no one does.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

That's why I have the 2017 5.0. Gen 2 coyote and the 6 speed. Getting supercharged this year if I can find the time.

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King_in_a_castle_84@reddit

RIP those tires lol my '15 Coyote already smokes them all to hell if I'm not gentle.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

Yeah I used to run Mickey Thompson slicks on the street with my lightning. This is lifted on 35s with short gears. It's going to be a smoke show.

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King_in_a_castle_84@reddit

I have no doubt that the 6R80 in my '15 5.0 F-150 will last longer than even the 3rd owner cares to keep it.

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MixedCaptain@reddit

Sorry, 700k on a 356?!

Beautiful car but that’s not a comfortable way to rack up the miles. Being a 60 year old car helps but still, that’s a lot of use.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

He is a shorted dude so it works for him. He does a cross country trip a few times a year in the car.

I had to drop the floor in my 356 by two inches and run race seats to even fit in mine.

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nannernutz@reddit

I just want a build thread on your air-cooled now...

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wearymicrobe@reddit

It was a Covid project. 2276 fk10 cam dual 48 Weber motor. Has a weddle box, full disk brakes, aluminum rolled interior. Still figuring out how to cage the driver to be legal but I have the 356 and the 64 vette for now to track.

https://i.imgur.com/SYBvngk.jpeg

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WhetBred14@reddit

+1 for the gen 2 Prius. My dad and I have a salvage car dealer, Prius sell like hotcakes and they come in with absolutely no issues as long as you look for the right signs and keep the mileage under 150k. That’s just us tho, many customers have theirs to 400k with just oil changes and then other small stuff like spark plugs and such when needed. Absolutely amazing vehicles.

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wearymicrobe@reddit

I have been in and around the automotive industry my whole like. The Gen 2 Prius previous might be the best designed car that exists. I don't say that lightly.

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Underdogg13@reddit

My family owns 3 of them. All above 300k miles, 2008 and older.

My father and I are in agreement that the gen 2 Prius really deserves a spot in the automotive hall of fame. It is one of the best examples of a purpose built car.

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TheGT1030MasterRace@reddit

What's wrong with the Gen 1? I have a 2002 that is still running perfectly, recently replaced spark plugs and ignition coils.

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Hunt3rj2@reddit

Just not as practical. 13 second 0-60 in the gen 1 vs 10 seconds in the gen 2. More cargo capacity in the gen 2. They added bells and whistles like a backup camera. Packaging-wise they improved things like the inverter. Also it's not as obviously a really expensive Echo.

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RayofLight-z@reddit

Also the gen 1 gets rather poor fuel economy compared to gen 2

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WhetBred14@reddit

I don’t think necessarily there’s anything wrong with it but they basically improved upon everything for the gen 2 making it the better car for the money now that gen 2s are super cheap

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goot449@reddit

The first generation seems like a sales experimental more than anything. They made like 100k of them, but the 2nd gen they made well over a million.

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QuietCareful@reddit

My sister has a 02 4runners 300k miles

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yeahwhynot36@reddit

389 000 km on my honda pilot 2009

Fucking tank.

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Jay_Diamond_WWE@reddit

My old Freightliner is currently sitting in the back of our lot waiting on the new owner to pick it and the other 50 up. Mine has the same clutch and transmission at 997,000 miles. I got so close to a million. 5th gear was going out and would grind about half the time, but I just revved the balls off the Cummins in 4th til I could shift directly to 6th. It was better coming back down from 6th.

With the axles locked in and no trailer, it's lift the front tires off the ground by about 4". Torque in a semi is next level badass.

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srcorvettez06@reddit

I had a 4l60e last about 330k miles in a Silverado. That poor truck was my wife’s daily then my winter beater for years. It was really tired when the disconnecting rods created new inspection windows.

The 4l85 in my 8.1 liter Yukon has over 220k miles on it now. Fluid and filter every 50k miles. The truck pulls an 11,000 pound race trailer all over the country and is also my road/camping rig.

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Smykster@reddit

You hear people say these things are the worst transmission ever. I never had a problem with them. If you keep them close to stock torque levels, they'll keep on chugging.

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CabernetSauvignon@reddit

I had two give out before 60k miles.

Sun gear shell cracked on one

Valve body cracked in the other

All stock on 4.3 V6s.

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

How many burnouts did you do every day, though?

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CabernetSauvignon@reddit

Literally none. I'm not saying I drove them gently but I didn't beat the shit out of them. I towed with one of the trucks but never more than 2000 pounds.

Late 90s GM was just atrocious. I was working at a met lab at that time and did an analysis on the failed part and confirmed the sun shell gear on one was not through hardened.

No goodwill from gm despite my family history of decades of car purchases.

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

Yeah, the sun shell was absolutely a known problem. I guess I've been lucky, haven't had a 4Lslippy go on me yet.

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CabernetSauvignon@reddit

It just sucks because I actually really enjoyed it when the car worked. The 4.3 was adequately torquey and smooth and had very agreeable Highway mileage.

Dex cool sludging and the transmission grenading sealed the deal. I fixed what I could afford at the time and sold the car at break even for repair costs.

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Nitrothacat@reddit

Yep, I had two 4L60s in two different GMT800s. I think they shifted great for being a 4 speed automatic from the 90s. I liked how the torque converter would lock basically right off idle once warm.

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

I have owned three gmt800's with over 250k miles on the original engines/transmissions so far, and they all ran like a top. Zero problems with them. But unlike most regular non-enthusiast car owners, I religiously maintain them.

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Seamus-Archer@reddit

I’ve had the same experience. Almost 190K on the 4L60E behind my 6.0 Yukon and it’s been flawless.

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DuLeague361@reddit

a 4l60 behind a 6.0? didn't they get the 4l80

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Seamus-Archer@reddit

Only in the HD chassis SUVs, HD trucks, and HD vans. Half tons didn’t get the 4L80.

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DuLeague361@reddit

good to know. I assumed 6.0 automatically meant 8 lugs and 4l80

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srcorvettez06@reddit

I never had a 4l60e fail and I’ve had half a dozen high mileage tricks with them. I seem to have gotten pretty lucky.

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Smykster@reddit

I had one in a C5 vette that I drove hard. No issues. I have a 700R4 in a 35 year old camaro that I don't even think was ever serviced 150k(new to me). Still shifting smooth. I'm actually kind of afraid to do a flush and filter on it at this point.

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Trollygag@reddit

I did fluid on my gmt400 with the 5.7 @165k miles. Shifts like a new truck.

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srcorvettez06@reddit

I have a 700r4 in my Vette and 3rd gear is realllllly tired.

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Snazzy21@reddit

That's because people put it in overdrive before towing and complain that they keep burning up

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mervmonster@reddit

I think it depends on the application. I have been left stranded with no cell service twice by 4l60e transmissions but they were company trucks that towed a lot.

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coolguy100@reddit

I’ve heard you have to lock out overdrive when towing with them and they’ll last

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Smykster@reddit

I had one in a C5 vette that I drove hard. No issues. I have a 700R4 in a 35 year old camaro that I don't even think was ever serviced 150k(new to me). Still shifting smooth. I'm actually kind of afraid to do a flush and filter on it at this point.

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Toyota313131@reddit

Funny how you hear such bad about them yet there are so many out there that made it hundreds of thousands of miles. The problem is most humans don't have a reasonable expectation on what a good service life is. Dodge had the same bad rap with the 46/47 rh/re transmissions in the 2nd gen dodge, especially diesels. They were good transmissions with very little known actual failure points but because people don't know how to service and take care of things they were considered crap. Shoot I had an all factory 47re hold up for 1 month behind a dyno confirmed 650 hp Cummins, and I beat the shit out of the truck in that month.

Vehicles and components seriously only get a bad name because of people themselves, not having reasonable expectations, not servicing properly, and the main thing I've seen is calling something junk just because they can't afford to fix it even though the vehicle/component made it hundreds of thousands of miles before failure. People are the problem not vehicles or components.

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TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

And when people hotrod or abuse them beyond what they were designed for. Guys in GMT800's doing burnouts everywhere they go, and then act surprised when they get 6 N's.

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srcorvettez06@reddit

Neglect causes more failure than poor design.

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OpinionofanAH@reddit

My last 4l60 was shifting fine at 180k miles when I pulled it to manual swap my truck. I have an 03 suburban with 140k miles on it and the 4l60 in it shifts perfectly and a friend of mine has an 03 Silverado with 350k miles on the original transmission. They have a bad reputation but they will last if you don’t over heat them or tow in overdrive.

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ads1031@reddit

I sold an Envoy with a 4l60e to some relatives. I think it has about 350k miles on it now. It makes some funny noises, but it keeps going!

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5cott@reddit

Sold my Silverado to a buddy, it’s sitting at 315 on a 4l60e. The 4l85 in the Isuzu he told me has 278, going strong. We both maintained them on a tight maintenance schedule. 2004 and 2006 models respectively.

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wander9077@reddit

320k miles (515K kilometers) with the odometer rolling backward at that point for two years so it was actually higher. 1990 Pontiac Bonneville with the 3.8L. Bought the car at about 120K miles and uncertain of service at that point but I had the transmission serviced NEVER. Finally gave out after 10+ years use, but by then the ceiling was falling apart. Engine would eat oil at about 1/2 a quart every 3K mi back then. Died in the early 2000's

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Realistic_Village184@reddit

I've seen a number of old Mercedes diesel cars with well over 1,000,000 miles on the original powertrain with no significant repairs.

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Basic-Bath5969@reddit

https://www.thedrive.com/news/29982/this-2006-honda-civic-hit-a-million-miles-on-its-original-engine-and-transmission

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phorkin@reddit

We had a 1978 Ford with a five speed that had over 600k on the clock when I left the tree service. It was meticulously maintained over the years however

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InsertBluescreenHere@reddit

prolly be a manual trans if you dont count clutch replacements as they are a wear item. altho the last clutch i had lasted to 208K miles in my s10 and my ranger has 254k miles on the factory clutch...

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

I had 195K on a factory clutch on an NSG370, which isn't really known for being all that great. I abused it, too, several reverse pulls before I learned better...

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

Manuals are pretty much limited by how many clutches and TOBs you want to throw at it, maybe some shift forks...

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SirLoremIpsum@reddit

Seems like 200-400k km is the norm and the accepted reasonable length.

Most Landcruisers will have more than that in the stock transmission.

The million mile Lexus LS400 has the original transmission I believe.

Unstoppable mileage guy put north of 440,000 miles on a 2020 RAV4

https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/13qk1e8/my_2020_toyota_rav4_xse_reached_400000_miles_today/

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carmeiser@reddit

I think the unstoppable mileage guy had 2 separate Fiesta STs as well, there were 440-480k miles on each before a fuel pump knocked them out of service iirc. Possibly they were just before he got that rav4 too? Whoever had them was in the ST facebook forums for a bit. Had original transmissions to my knowledge as well.

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SirLoremIpsum@reddit

That man just LOVES driving.

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carmeiser@reddit

The fiestas guy drove for work iirc. He gets that much in a couple years at most. It's a shitload of miles he does.

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Epotheros@reddit

The million mile Lexus had a new transmission put in around the 800k range according to Tavarish after he bought it. So it has had at least two transmissions over its life.

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SirLoremIpsum@reddit

The million mile Lexus had a new transmission put in around the 800k range according to Tavarish after he bought it. So it has had at least two transmissions over its life.

Dammit! Didn't watch too closely... swear everyone always said how original it was.

But es, 800,000 miles... pah.

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Jack_Attak@reddit

Similarly, Victor Sheppard's million mile tundra had the original Aisin 5 speed rebuilt in the 700k mileage range.

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Fact0ry0fSadness@reddit

Pfft, only 800k. Well that's not impressive at all now.

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Eharmz@reddit

370k on my 1998.

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ExorIMADreamer@reddit

Got a 79 Chevy K10 with the original trans and motor at our farm. The odometer quit sometime in the 90s with 400k on it. Who knows what it has now but it's a lot more than that. It still runs fine and is kind of my chore truck around the farm.

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Rich-Temperature8665@reddit

My 2007 Acura TL had hit 460k original motor and transmission. Shifted smooth as butter, drove great, but drank oil like an oilholic. Sold it, warned the guy that the oil drops faster than the gas and to keep an eye on it. Unfortunately, about a week after I sold it, I was sitting at a shop and saw it rolling in on a flatbed. Dude blew the motor, no oil. Sad day

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bgb111@reddit

Toyota Hybrid transaxles are indestructible. There’s a Prius at my job that I put an engine in, and then that engine went out, and I put another one in years later. Fucker has almost 700k on the original transaxle, I don’t even think the guy has ever serviced it.

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little_dog137@reddit

Couple Toyotas well over 400k. No sign of them stopping

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nahrub@reddit

My dad’s Mazda 929. Odometer rolled over twice since he owned it. The guy who has it is now still uses it every day. Never once had a problem with the transmission. My dad worked on it himself.

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SRQmoviemaker@reddit

My buddy had an 88 Cadillac Seville (his grandpa got it new) that finally died at 460k original trans second engine.

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King_in_a_castle_84@reddit

Probably my dad's '86 F-150 4spd manual. It hit about 250k before it needed a new clutch.

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shorties_with_mp40s@reddit

2014 Subaru WRX STI hatchback hit 423k miles on the original tranny before someone hit me and totaled the car.

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Minimum_clout@reddit

Ford 6R140 is insanely durable. FIL has a 2015 that has been absolutely thrashed on towing stuff all the time with 400k, still going. Many trucks with higher mileage on original trans too.

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stakoverflo@reddit

The longest I've seen? 132,622 miles 😫

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NewPerfection@reddit

My dad's 2002 Toyota Sienna has 385k miles on the original transmission (and engine). Still going strong.

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ScubaSteve7886@reddit

My '98 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) has its original AX-15 in it. With about 330k miles (531k km) it's all original the only thing that's been changed was the clutch.

Though this longevity isn't uncommon in XJs.

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xSimoHayha@reddit

My dads 3rd gen Tacoma is at 300k miles. Everything original, yet to change the oil

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Only_One_Kenobi@reddit

Taken a few Isuzus over 400k. Audis are apparently good.

Seen one Isuzu pickup go over a mil with original box.

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The_Crazy_Swede@reddit

A friend of mine is rolling around in a 1 100 000km car with the original tyranny.

But it's a Volvo 940 so that's not that weird.

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snatch1e@reddit

One of the longest-lasting transmissions I’ve heard of was in a Toyota Land Cruiser. A guy I knew had his '90s model with the original 5-speed manual, and it hit over 500k km before he sold it, still running strong.

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dbpdbpdbpdbp@reddit

Friend of mine had an e36 328i with 700.000km, first trans first engine. Car was parted out due to rust so the trans might still be around somewhere

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Relative_Trick_5890@reddit

2003 VW Jetta TDI I had 770,000km on original transmission and clutch.

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LittlePup_C@reddit

I’ve got an ‘03 Elantra with 334k miles. Not just the original trans, but also the original ATF.

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_nf0rc3r_@reddit

r/taxidrivers and r/uberdrivers are some of ur best bet to get an answer

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Big-Coffee8937@reddit

GM Turbo 400’s. Went in everything from cars to pickup trucks, drag racers, pulling tractors. Virtually indestructible.

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CommunityCritical822@reddit

Ford e150 seen one that had 530000 miles on it. It was a rusty pos but we'll maintained and still drove like a champ

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MAjIKMAN452@reddit

My family's hand-me-down 1997 Ford Ranger with the 4.0 HO engine and Auto trans made it 450k miles between 6 kids in the family. Sold it for a couple hundred bucks to a family friend on hard times and it had the factory engine and trans with working a/c still. That truck was a beast.

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mgobla@reddit

The transmisions of Toyotas HSD Hybrids (planetary gear) last "forever"

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Kev50027@reddit

Prius transmissions are bulletproof because they're so simple. Even the third gen, which is regarded as the least reliable generation has transmissions that will make it to 300k miles without issue.

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GOLDTOOTHTATTOO@reddit

Longest was 1998 Lexus gs400 to 410k miles and 22 years. Replaced transmission shift solenoid once at 300k miles.

Shortest lasting ever (factory vehicle) was 2011 Mercedes benz s550 at 40k miles and 3 years

Longest on a built motor (LS3 single turbo) was a stock T56 out of a Fbody Camaro with 145k miles reached 5k miles and pure redlining and beatings for an entire year every weekend before a rebuild and upgrades to bronze fork pads

Shortest on a built motor (Ls2 pro charged) 4wd trailblazer ss 4l70e with 60k miles before the build was only good for a couple 1/8th mile passes before blowing up

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Square_Painting5099@reddit

My first car was '88 Civic. Sold it at 550k km, original transmission and engine. Clutch replaced at 330k.

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redditonreddit_65@reddit

You got 330k out of a clutch?? That’s crazy

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Square_Painting5099@reddit

The car was driven mostly in countryside.

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TheDirtDude117@reddit

S2000 manual transmission is easily at 500k

6R80 Automatic in the 09-14 F150 can easily last 400k miles but the lead frame can be an issue as can the transmission cooler lines

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Ru4pigsizedelephants@reddit

My wife's '15 Accord Hybrid has 498k on the CVT, aka the "untransmission".

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Mayhem072114@reddit

I believe they are called gender dysphoric missions

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grundlemon@reddit

One of my friends has 900k on her first gen geo metro 4dr hatch. No 2nd gear and the motor has been replaced though

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TSLAog@reddit

Any power-spilt hybrid

-Prius (or any Toyota hybrid) -Ford escape, Fusion hybrid

A lot of ZF transmissions were very good.

I rebuilt transmission for 4 years of my career. The common failures were

Chrysler A604 (Caravan, Neon, Sebring, etc..)

GM 4L60e, mainly sun-shell failure.

GM 4T60e, converter modulator valve, converter itself, axle leaks.

Ford 4R100 like pressure issues, worn slipping clutches.

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xkmackx@reddit

Had 300,000+ kms on original 2000 Avalon transmission and engine. Finally parted with it when it needed a new fuel pump last year.

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phxbimmer@reddit

I’ve had multiple BMW E34 525i’s with over 350,000 miles on their original ZF 5-speed manuals. My current 540i/6 has almost 290k on the original 6-speed manual.

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MattTheMechan1c@reddit

350k miles on a first gen BMW X5. My retired uncle bought it new and he currently uses it to drive from LA to Vegas often so it’s mostly highway

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FNA_Couster@reddit

Are we going on mileage or age?

I know a few farmers with nearly antique F series pick ups but they only put 3-4,000 km on them a year since they're farm trucks.

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Agloe_Dreams@reddit

My father has an 87 F250 with 375,000miles.

It is equipped with the iconic 300ci six and the four speed with the granny low.

My very favorite thing about that truck is that he had a two foot diameter 60ft tall tree fall on it, downright smashing the bed and roof.

He got on top of it with his chainsaw, cut the tree up, put the easily 2000lbs in the bed and drove it out to dump the load.

Got second place in a local mud bog with the 35s.

That transmission is a glutton for punishment.

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

The NP435 is indestructible but so unpleasant to actually use other than as a farm truck or offroad.

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campbellsimpson@reddit

So you're saying I should swap out this bad boy for something less agricultural? 😂

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

Oh man! No, no, you clearly did something evil in a past life to deserve that thing. And a trans handbrake!

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campbellsimpson@reddit

And a trans handbrake!

Ain't it ridiculous?

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Agloe_Dreams@reddit

Have you considered just pushing grinding until it finds home? Haha first manual I ever drove (I was like 6), granted that was off-road.

The beauty of the combo off-road though was that the truck in low was unstallable.

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fiddlythingsATX@reddit

Yup, I could literally leave it in gear and walk next to it, and sometimes did. The new Tremec TR4050 has that granny but decent ratios for road, it’s my current preference.

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Igota31chevy@reddit

If we're going by age, I have an original Model A chassis that has been both untouched since it left the assembly line and more recently, abused by me doing dirt drags. Those transmissions are incredibly basic but also extremely tough and built for abuse.

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devereux619@reddit

I have 348k miles on my 2008 Ford Focus. Original transmission

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TheBigFurFur@reddit

my parent's 2008 CR-V has 340,000 miles and still going strong with zero issues.

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Rarepep3s@reddit

I had a 2006 chevy 3500 as a work truck with an allison 6 speed it made 840k kms before it went

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ottergang_ky@reddit

My dad’s Tahoe had original unopened motor and original unopened trans we he sold it. 375k miles and LOT of trailer and camper pulling miles in there. That thing was a unit

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MegaCockInhaler@reddit

I’ve seen a Toyota tundra with 1.2 million kms. Seen plenty of 90s civics at 500-600k

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reesesbigcup@reddit

I knew a guy who put over 400k miles on a Saturn Ion, bought it new, automatic transmission. Idk about maintenance but he didnt have any transmission problems. He drove a lot for his job.

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Edm_swami@reddit

My '82 civic lasted to 640,000 miles. I couldn't get it into 2nd gear near the end though, but it ran fine otherwise.

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Fearless-Minimum-922@reddit

Nv1500 5 speed trans that came in the s10s were perfect for the little 4 cylinder it was mated to. I have never heard of one that failed under normal circumstances (some of those guys that stuck a turbo on the lil 2.2 broke them while dumping the clutch). Normally the 4 cylinder spins a bearing or the truck gets wrecked beforehand. Mine had 234k on it but I know a guy that daily drives one with 350k on the original drive train.

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Positive_Tackle_8434@reddit

1912 model T 100+ years 1971 Nova 510,000+ mi 2002 F-150 439,000+ mi 2004 mountaineer 350,000+ mi 2004 f-150 285,000+ mi current truck All just normal maintenance engines included.

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bigtexasrob@reddit

My NV4500 (5-speed, 90’s Chevy 2500 and 3500 trucks) has half a million miles and outlived the truck.

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Fearless-Minimum-922@reddit

I’ve got one with probably 270k on it and it shifts smooth as fuck still. Transfer case on the other hand clanks like a mfer

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campbellsimpson@reddit

It's a truck transmission, but my NP435 has 1.1 million kilometres on all the original hardware.

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roman_maverik@reddit

Are we only talking about automatics?

The 5 speed MT that was in the Nissan Frontier for decades has got to be one of the most bulletproof transmissions of all time.

Here’s a guy who got 1 million miles out of his (and 700k on the original clutch):

https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/the-nissan-frontier-that-delivered-a-million-miles-and-counting

I’ve owned a couple Nissan 5 speeds. They aren’t pretty, but they will get the job done

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Relative_Location_65@reddit

I have a 1995 bronco with an e40d transmission with 740,000 miles and counting, It's mostly highway miles.

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akmacmac@reddit

Everybody shit on the Honda auto transmissions from the early 2000’s but my 2003 Civic with the 4spd auto lasted 300k miles with no issues

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NYCBYB@reddit

My Landcruiser has 246k miles (396k km) and is still going strong.

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0peRightBehindYa@reddit

I managed to get a factory Ford AX4N past 300k in a 98 Taurus SHO before it threw a rod. Damn thing slipped at WOT and any time the air and cruise were on at the same time, and I did NOT follow recommended maintenance intervals whatsoever. I didn't even add the recommended Gen 2 SHO trans cooler.

It still outlasted the engine somehow.

It's been over a decade and I'm still gobsmacked.

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AbrocomaRealistic224@reddit

Irv gordon open and shut. Volvo reigns supreme.

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87RegalTurboT@reddit

300K in a V6 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Only did trans flushes every 75k miles. Do regular maintenance and things last longer than most others.

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CO14ers@reddit

My roommate has a 93 accord that was passed down to him by his dad. Still on its original clutch at 256k miles. The clutch is at the very end of it’s life span tho

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jtbis@reddit

I would bet an early-mid 2000s Toyota truck holds the record for an automatic. The 5-speed units they put in Tacomas, 4Runners and Tundras are bulletproof.

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CantThinkOfAnyName@reddit

I kind of wonder whether it's automatic or manual transmissions that have the highest mileage and how the distribution looks given proper maintenance. I've tried to find a study but can't find anything worthwhile.

On one hand, automatic transmissions won't have bad shifts, on the other hand, there are more moving parts and failure points.

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getawombatupya@reddit

/r/millwrights

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kentxflow@reddit

Buddy of mine has a Mercedes W126 260SE with a 5speed manual on LPG. Bought it like 20 years ago with a broken Tachometer and (already) 400k kilometers on it. Pre owner said it was already broken when he got it and he drove it very often and very far. My buddy drives it about 20k kilometers a year when he doesn‘t visit his Family often.

That thing has likely 7 figures kilometers right now but he can‘t prove it…

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graceparagonique2024@reddit

My 1992 Thunderbird still had the original 4spd AOD in it at 278k. Never rebuilt, but I religiously changed the fluid, drained the converter and changed the filter every 30k.

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bigloser42@reddit

My ZHP was just short of 300k and had just a touch of wear on the 2nd gear synchro. It was only on its second clutch, and even that only got replaced because I had to do the rear main seal and was assuming the clutch needed to be done, but it had plenty of life left.

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argent_pixel@reddit

My Odyssey has 198,000 miles on it, still the OG transmission. One owner prior to myself who just did basic maintenance.

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MKVIgti@reddit

I drive a stage 1 tuned 2017 GTI with a DSG tune as well. Maintained religiously.

I’m at 224,000 miles and car still purrs like a kitten. Transmission is still smooth and fast as well.

Yeah, not as many miles as you’re quoted as seeing, but I think as long as I continue proper maintenance the DSG will be fine for much longer. Hell of a gear box.

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vargemp@reddit

If you could just specify the exact transmission code… DQ250?

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Hutwe@reddit

I had 217k miles (~350,000 km) on the original clutch on my 2004 Acura RSX when I sold it. I can’t say how long the transmission lasted, but I can say it wasn’t giving me any problems. Still worked perfectly like the day I bought it.

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dang_it_bobby93@reddit

My first car 1990 Camaro with a 305 and 5 speed. Still have the car sitting at my parents. Original transmission and second clutch made it to 350k miles. 3 gear syncro didn't work quite right but that was thanks to me being a boy racer and thinking it was cool to shift and not use the clutch. Fun car still at my folks house it would still be working but rats are the wiring harness sadly.

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binding_swamp@reddit

Allison 5-speed is all original and working fine at 440,000 miles.

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Confident_Season1207@reddit

That's pretty common of them. Especially if you don't abuse it with more power

My work van had its first Allison 1000 changed out somewhere in the 500,000 mile range. It was still working, just wouldn't stop leaking after being resealed. The 2nd is at over 300,000 miles on it

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StayStrong888@reddit

My 1989 NA Miata manual transmission lasted over 130k miles with no issues.

My 1994 Ford Ranger 4 speed manual went over 240k miles without needing anything.

My 1998 Ford Crown Victoria 4 speed automatic crapped out at 180k and I had to change it and drove another 60k miles then sold it. It's been going strong according to the new owner.

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AwesomeBantha@reddit

Toyota A440/A343F

Slow and inefficient but I know more people with more than 275k miles on theirs than people with under 275k miles

They don’t require much/any maintenance, and this is in city, highway, offroad driving

Pretty much every one of these I’ve heard of being replaced came from the 2000 model year… so just avoid that year and you’ll be set

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quiksi@reddit

The Toyota A750 and AB60 transmissions have both lasted over 1M miles in the Tundra on at least a few occasions

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I_amnotanonion@reddit

I’ve gotten both automatics and manuals past the 300k miles (a bit less than 500k kilometers) mark. Those were: - 2001 GMC Yukon with the 4L65e - 1979 Mercedes 240D with a 4 speed manual

I’ve also had cars, or had family members with cars, that didn’t make it to 100k miles (~160k km). Those were: - 2016 Subaru Crosstrek automatic - 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager - 2003 Honda Odyssey (buddy of mine got it cheap with like 90,000 miles because of the blown transmission

I think you are generally correct about the average transmissions length of life. There are some cars that will be huge outliers on both ends of course. I also think people will generally get rid of cars before the transmission fails because of other issues or just because the car is old. The vast majority (like 95% or more) of cars in the US never make it to 200k miles (320k km) because they’re scrapped for a variety of reasons.

Anecdotally, I know that W123 Mercedes automatics need a rebuild at 200k miles in most cases, so your theory holds there. I only know that though because the rest of the cars hold together so well so people were able to measure that

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20-20beachboy@reddit

What happened to the crosstrek?

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I_amnotanonion@reddit

I’m not entirely sure. It’s my brother’s, all he told me is that it was driving funny, took it to his mechanic, they put in a new transmission and it was good

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tlivingd@reddit

04 Malibu, 98 s.c. Rivera, 94 lesabre, all had over 220k miles on original transmissions. Those were mixed use. And none were babied. I and my sister learned to drive the 94. I beat the shit out of the 04. And the riv was my dad’s that he was gentile but would occasionally flog it.

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kingfisher-monkey-87@reddit

I had a Mazda protege with 328k miles on original manual trans and clutch when I traded it. My dad had a ford Aerostar van with 450,000 on original transmission and engine, trans fluid and filter changed religiously every 100k miles.

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LCImpulse@reddit

GM 6L45, definition of a slushbox but it’s the only part of the E9x 328i’s that won’t fall apart (yes the E9x 3 series used a GM trans for the 328i)

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naf_Kar@reddit

You probably aren't looking for this information, but I daily drive a 2004 Ram 1500 with over 300,000 miles (around 490,000km) that has the original transmission and as far as I can tell just routine maintenance (fluids and filters) was done on it, along with a valve body rebuild around the 200k mile mark. I haven't had it it's whole life but all the work has been done at dealers in it's life before it got to me. I got a Carfax on it that had every service record on it, which is how I know about the valve body rebuild.

And I can already feel the "dumb American drives a big truck every day for no reason" thoughts and for the record, I don't like driving it every day, but my wife has horses which need trailered to shows and whatnot and I can't afford a second car

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