[Chevota]

Vacuum stations? I guess I don't follow.

It's easy to tell when it's "not so fresh", new trans fluid has a distinct smell. After some time and heat it’s not so fresh, kinda like me. As time passes I smell less fresh chemicals, and more burned oil, clutch and metal. If all is well it just smells less fresh. Mine worries me because it’s so filthy, smells a bit of clutch, and the viscosity seems shot. That and everyone says these trannys have a short life.

Smell some new fluid out of a bottle, and then some from different cars, you’ll know. Same with motor oil, rub some new oil between your fingers very firmly, it’s thick and very difficult to remove. Then after your fingers are squeaky clean, try used oil from a few dipsticks, the really worn out stuff is very thin and rubs/washes off ten times easier. This is how I judge if my oil needs changing, not by miles. Some vehicles like my truck break down oil very fast, 10K miles on a change would be a bad idea.