How Often Should You Change Transmission Fluid

Many mechanics recommend drivers get their vehicle’s transmission fluid changed approximately every 50,000 miles. Making sure your vehicle’s transmission system is in top shape can help extend your vehicle’s life and keep you safe on the road. Not changing or flushing your transmission system can result in system failure and expensive repairs. Read on to discover more about your vehicle’s transmission fluid, including which factors determine how often you should change it and what happens if you don’t change your transmission fluid regularly.

What Is Transmission Fluid?

Wrenches sorted by size in a car mechanic’s workshop licensed under CC BY-20 via Flickr by Ivan Radic

Transmission fluid helps lubricate the different bearings and parts inside a gearbox. Both automatic and manual transmission fluids exist, so it’s important to understand more about which lubricant your car needs before getting your transmission fluid changed. Automatic transmission fluid can also help with torque converter operation, valve body operation, clutch friction operations, brake band friction, and transmission cooling. Transmission fluid can be a variety of colors, such as red, blue, green, purple, or amber, which can help you distinguish it from other oils and fluids in your vehicle.

Getting your transmission fluid serviced regularly can help extend the life of your vehicle, help keep the gearbox cool, and can help make for a smoother ride. Researching synthetic versus traditional transmission fluid can also help you determine which fluid works best for your vehicle. One distinguishing factor is that synthetic fluid breaks down more slowly and doesn’t oxidize or thin out at higher temperatures.

What Does Transmission Fluid Do?

Transmission fluid is essential for the continued operation and performance of your vehicle’s transmission system. It lubricates your vehicle’s mechanical parts and helps keep it operational. Some other important things that transmission does for your vehicle include:

• Maintaining fluid pressure
• Cooling your transmission system
• Preventing oxidation
• Conditioning the gasket
• Preventing system rust

How Often Should You Change the Transmission Fluid?

Since fluids break down over time, it’s important to change your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Reviewing your car’s manual or researching manufacturer recommendations can help you ensure you change your transmission fluid at the right time. For example, if you drive a manual transmission vehicle, it may need a fluid change closer to 30,000 miles. Additionally, if you tow heavy loads, drive in adverse weather conditions, or experience frequent city traffic, you might consider changing your transmission fluid at more regular intervals.

It’s also important that you add transmission fluid if it’s low. There are several ways to determine if your transmission fluid levels are low. If your transmission begins to overheat, if your car’s gears slip, or if your engine revs higher than normal, your transmission fluid might be low. Looking for any leaking fluids on the ground or checking your fluid levels with every oil change can help you learn more about your vehicle’s transmission fluid. Here are some quick tips to help you find out if your transmission fluid is low:

• Puddles underneath the car that are red, dark brown, or muddy green
• Red transmission fluid changes from a bright or rich red to a dull red or brown
• Roaring sounds during acceleration or when going around corners
• Engine chattering or a feeling like you’re driving on a rumble strip
• Warning light indicator that signifies a high transmission temperature
• Shifting problems, such as taking a long time to get into gear or shifting gears really quickly
• Transmission gear slippage or engine revving
• A slight burning smell or an unusual tart burning smell
• The vehicle barely moves when it’s in gear

Does My Manual Transmission Vehicle Need Its Fluid Changed?

Yes, your manual transmission vehicle does need its transmission fluid changed. Certain manual transmission vehicles need special transmission fluid, while others are compatible with automatic-type transmission fluid. Many newer models with manual transmission work with automatic transmission fluid. Reviewing your vehicle’s manual or researching manufacturer recommendations for your vehicle can help you determine if your vehicle needs manual or automatic transmission fluid. This can help maintain your car’s transmission and clutch, which can reduce the wear on these systems and improve your transmission’s longevity.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Transmission Fluid?

The main thing that happens if you don’t change your transmission fluid is that the system can overheat and cause a system failure. Low transmission fluid can also delay or cause difficulty in shifting, which can prevent your vehicle from accelerating or operating correctly. It can also cause gear slippage, which can cause sudden gear changes when driving. Over time, this can result in costly repairs because a failed transmission system can affect the integrity of other mechanical systems.

Can You Change the Transmission Fluid Yourself?

Depending on your vehicle, you may be able to change your own transmission fluid. Completing the job yourself may save you money and time. However, certain vehicles require specialty tools to change or flush the system, which is when a professional might be needed.

If you do decide to change your transmission fluid yourself, it’s recommended that you completely remove the old fluid before replacing it. Many manufacturers also recommend replacing your transmission filter every time you change your transmission fluid.

Because of all this, it’s a good idea to seek the services of a professional because many mechanics complete other maintenance tasks while servicing your transmission system. Having a professional complete your service can also ensure your system is properly flushed, inspected, and filled. Many transmission services that technicians complete while changing your transmission fluid include:

• Grime removal
• Transmission case cleaning
• Pan gasket replacement
• Filter replacement
• Transmission flush

If you’re looking for reliable and efficient maintenance professionals, stop by Ike Honda for all your transmission and maintenance service needs. Schedule your service through our online portal to find a time that works for you. We also offer many service packages that combine several services into one, which can ensure we keep your vehicle in top shape. You can also give us a call or contact us online with any questions — it’s our goal to provide the best service we can.