It usually is, and it has only gotten more expensive in recent years. Before you get your fluid changed, get a (free) sample test kit from Blackstone Labs (not that Blackstone) so that you can send it back for used oil analysis. Used oil analysis is like $50 from them (on their “pay for samples” page, it’s the Oil + TAN test), and the analysis will give a breakdown of things like acidity and presence of wear metals so you have an inkling of just how fucked your transmission is. If you decide to go through with it, start with a drain-and-fill and get your oil sample from that.
I can’t decide whether I sound more like a bot or if “not having my car’s transmission blow up” is my special interest
It usually is, and it has only gotten more expensive in recent years. Before you get your fluid changed, get a (free) sample test kit from Blackstone Labs (not that Blackstone) so that you can send it back for used oil analysis. Used oil analysis is like $50 from them (on their “pay for samples” page, it’s the Oil + TAN test), and the analysis will give a breakdown of things like acidity and presence of wear metals so you have an inkling of just how fucked your transmission is. If you decide to go through with it, start with a drain-and-fill and get your oil sample from that.
I can’t decide whether I sound more like a bot or if “not having my car’s transmission blow up” is my special interest
A bot would never have useful in-context information like this, thank you for taking the time.