Thanks for the update. Did the mechanic end up calling you back? Did you tell them that it’s slipping and that you’ve “started having problems with it”.
Are you low on fluid? If you are it could be due to a leak and is probably the cause of the slipping. Check the fluid level and top it up if it’s low.
There are two opinions on whether or not you should change the fluid on a high mileage (possibly neglected) vehicle:
1) Changing it will not cause the transmission to fail because it was going to anyway.
2) If you wait too long you should not change the fluid because it could cause the transmission to fail.
What is the mileage on your Odyssey and how long has it been since the last fluid change? What does the fluid look/smell like? If the fluid is very old or never been changed, burnt and contaminated, the damage might already be done to the transmission and you should just keep topping it up as it is only a matter of time before it fails. Changing the fluid won’t work miracles on an already damaged transmission (which yours probably is since the gears are slipping).
That said, there is an opposing opinion that says new fluid cannot harm a transmission/cause it to fail and that the “don’t change the fluid if it’s high mileage” is an old wives tale. If the tranny does fail after the change, it isn’t the fault of the new fluid, despite what the shops might say or what you read online. The transmission was going to die anyway as a result of the damage done due to long-term neglect. The shop and mechanic you have been talking to probably want to avoid this situation, as most people would blame them for “killing” their transmission.
Try asking them if they are speaking from personal experience (they’ve changed the fluid on a number of high mileage vehicles which have broken down shortly after) OR if they are simply reciting something they *believe* to be true. Ask them to back up their answer with good reasons.
If you do choose to have the fluid changed, make sure it is a CHANGE and not a high pressure FLUSH and that you get a new filter put in at the same time. A flush forces the old fluid out with pressure which could cause sludge and particles to get lodged in places they shouldn’t be and cause the transmission to fail or breakdown faster. As always, be sure to follow the recommendations found in your owner’s manual as the the type of fluid to use, etc.
Hope this helps, and keep me posted!
