![]() Today, there are over 15 different variants of transmission fluids, and many manufacturers insist using on their specific fluid for the transmission. Back then, there were only 2 types of Fluid used – Dextron/Mercon, or Ford Type F. Transmissions today are much different than the transmissions of 40 years ago. If it gets low, it is time for an inspection to determine where the fluid is going Ensure the fluid level remains at the proper level.If you notice any grit or metal shavings of any kind in the fluid, the transmission fluid needs to be changed and inspected.Have it changed and make sure the transmission is checked over If there is a brown or black color with a burnt smell, your fluid is well past its life-cycle.This is normal is some cases, but should always be checked out If there is a pink color but looks foamy, make sure the transmission is not over-filled.Transmission fluid has a distinct smell, but it shouldn’t smell burnt A pinkish or reddish color is an indicator that the transmission fluid is in good condition.Once you remove the transmission dipstick, the best and safest method is dab the dipstick either on a piece of paper or your finger (make sure the oil isn’t hot!) Now, inspect the fluid: In the vast majority of vehicles, there will be no indicator light that transmission fluid is low, and just like checking oil, it must be done manually on a dipstick. Knowing the symptoms of low transmission fluid is important. Many vehicles over time become very failure-prone to transmission issues that the original manufacturer was not aware of at the time of recommendation, and changing the fluid more often will help keep the transmission operating properly. Like engine oil, changing transmission fluid too much will never hurt anything but your check book.Ĭheck your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended change frequency, and also ask for recommendations within your community of ownership on car forums and the internet. In retrospect, this led to many transmission failures due to the continued neglect of the fluid. As transmission fluid begins to degrade, the temperature inside the transmission will get higher during operation, leading to further breakdown of the fluid, which leads to failures such as clutch pack slippage, banging or knocking going into gear, pump failure, and ultimately, transmission failure.Ī common, one-size-fits-all recommendation for when to change your transmission fluid is every 30,000-40,000 miles, or 5 years, based on normal, everyday driving. Truck owners who do frequent towing, or constant stop/start city drivers need to move this interval into the 20-25,000 range. Many manufacturers in the 1990’s and early 2000’s began developing synthetic and specific-type transmission fluids, and with this, extended the service life of the fluid, sometimes even declaring a “lifetime fluid”. ![]() ![]() Hence, how often to change transmission fluid will vary according to the vehicle and its frequency of use. Some factors include the climate, the fluidity of traffic, towing, and other concerns that can affect the fluid’s longevity. When to change your transmission fluid comes at the behest of a few factors. You have the option to change that transmission fluid and its parts with no labor costs associated with it or with the confidence of handing the job to a professional. It is crucial to know when to change your transmission fluid, how to check your transmission fluid, and the costs of changing the fluid if you take the vehicle to a professional. Over time, transmission fluid loses its ability to properly lubricate and keep the transmission cool, and an overwhelming amount of transmission failures are due to neglect of fluid. While the industry has done a great job training vehicle owners about the necessity of the engine oil change, these same owners still often neglect the transmission fluid, often until it’s too late. An automatic transmission uses fluid for two purposes: to provide lubrication and cooling for certain gears and components, and also to provide the proper amount of friction for the clutch packs in the transmission to operate properly, and keep cool. The best source of peace of mind in the automotive world is regular maintenance, and maintaining your transmission fluid is one of the most important parts.
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