All automatics should have certain critical parts replaced, those related to shifting functions. That means like a timing belt at 75k miles, do things for the trans, like all solenoids, all accumulators and related servo pistons(they all have rubber around the circumference(gets hard and develops leakage)). Sonnax makes very helpful VB parts for all popular models, including cheap cost o-ring kits, new PR valve etc.
Usually you can identify about $50 or so of that kind of Sonnax small kit parts, and all of them will increase lifespan, and improve shift quality. Installing those is not a job for a basic wrench turner, but most people can do it who are very careful and mindful of the process.
If everyone would do those kinds of maintenance for an automatic before every 100k miles, they would all last a lot longer. A trans fails almost never from wearing of the clutches, the friction/steel parts that are the common rebuild parts a shop puts in. Those rebuild kits are under $150, but the labor to R&R the trans and install it is, you know, $2-3k. The failure is virtually always a problem with one of the parts I mentioned that should be replaced regularly. When one of those things is faulty, the shifts get erratic, and it creates fast wear of the clutches.
People never stop driving their vehicle when the trans begins to have a symptom, they keep driving it until it gives up. By that time it is too late too fix it, they ruined the clutches by driving it another day or month etc. Do the parts that are weak links for shift functions, and the trans will live much longer. Lowering ATF operating temps, that helps too, a bigger cooler, deeper pan etc. It all helps, but the internal parts are still the most critical.
