Billion Auto Group Official Blog
Don’t forget to check on how your transmission is doing
By Product Expert | Posted in Technology on Monday, December 3rd, 2018 at 4:23 pm
How often do I need to change my transmission fluid?
It isn’t a huge mental leap to imagine that a vehicle’s transmission is made of a lot of individual parts that operate in very close quarters, producing a lot of heat. Transmission fluid keeps these parts lubricated and moving freely. However, unlike engine oil, the fluid flowing through your vehicle’s gears shouldn’t need a whole lot of attention. So, how often do you need to change your transmission fluid? Like far too many things in the automotive industry, there isn’t one universal answer that will apply to everyone. We’ll go over a few things that might help you take better care of your vehicle and get as many miles out of it as possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to our service department today.
READ MORE: Signs of a bad transmission
Transmission fluid change intervals
Each vehicle has different service intervals for changing transmission fluid and flushing the system. You’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual for the best results. Naturally, there is a difference between manual and automatic transmissions.
Manual: On average, vehicles with a manual transmission should have its fluid changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. However, if you drive a heavy-duty vehicle in a dirty environment, you might need to have it done every 15,000 miles.
Automatic: Modern automatic transmissions are very reliable and can go a long time without needing new fluid, although 60,000 to 100,000 miles is about average. As long as the fluid has a healthy-looking bright reddish color, it should be fine.
How do I know if it’s time for a flush?
There are a few ways to tell if its time to have your transmission fluid changed and/or flushed. In an automatic transmission, it will sound like it’s struggling to find the right gear during acceleration. On the other hand, a manual transmission might be more difficult to shift.
The myth of lifetime transmission fluid
A lot of heat builds up inside an automatic transmission, which causes it to break down. This requires the fluid to be changed. Owners of a vehicle with a manual transmission don’t need to worry about heat, they need to be on the lookout for contaminated transmission fluid.
Make an appointment with a Billion Auto Group Service Department representative today if you’re having any transmission problems. We can fix just about anything, or at least give you some options for what to do next.
