How Often Should You Change Manual Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid reservoir cap being removed

By Rick Popely

May three, 2017

In that location are many fluids that run throughout your vehicle, but ane of the near important to keep rail of is the transmission fluid. Whether or not you should change it is not a thing of debate: Yes, you lot should. But how often this service should be performed varies by manufacturer and vehicle, and it's open to argue.

The manufacturer's maintenance schedule for many automatic transmissions doesn't call for fresh fluid until 100,000 miles or, with some Ford transmissions, fifty-fifty 150,000 miles. A lot of mechanics say that is besides long and that it should be done at least every 50,000 miles. Transmission transmissions crave more conventional gear oil rather than automatic manual fluid and tend to be on a different maintenance schedule, so it's all-time to consult the service intervals in the owner's manual.

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Similar other vital automotive fluids, transmission fluid deteriorates over fourth dimension. Hard use — such equally frequent end-and-go city driving, hauling heavy loads and trailer towing — will accelerate the deterioration. That kind of driving raises the transmission'south operating temperature, and heat puts more strain on the transmission and the fluid. Unlike engine oil, which is primarily a lubricant, transmission fluid serves as both an oil and a hydraulic fluid that helps facilitate gear shifts, cools the transmission and lubricates moving parts.

If you practice a lot of driving under high-stress conditions, you should bank check the transmission fluid level more often and have a repair shop bank check the condition of the fluid. Transmission fluid oftentimes is red but can come up in other colors, and as information technology deteriorates it tends to turn darker. It may likewise acquire a burned odor that could indicate it needs to be inverse or that the transmission is developing mechanical problems.

How to Check Your Transmission Fluid

Many modern cars don't have a transmission fluid dipstick, and automakers instead recommend a service center cheque the fluid level because information technology'south often done from underneath the car. Utilise your car's owner'due south manual to determine if the transmission has a dipstick that'south easily accessible; if it does, here are a few tips when checking the fluid:

1. Utilise your owner's manual to notice the recommended process for checking your transmission fluid.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface for the nigh accurate reading.

3. Be cautious of engine cooling fans that may continue to run after the engine is off, as well as hot engine components; many cars recommend that the engine and manual exist at operating temperature when checking the manual fluid.

four. Determine if the fluid is checked with the engine running or off. This can vary from car to auto and will affect accuracy.

v. Some cars recommend moving the gear selector into each gear for a few seconds before checking the fluid; always render to Park or Neutral and apply the parking brake before getting out of the vehicle.

6. Identify the transmission dipstick handle, which is typically brightly colored; once again, your owner's manual will aid you notice it.

7. Remove the dipstick, being cautious not to spill any fluid on hot engine or frazzle parts, and wipe off the dipstick using a clean rag.

8. Reinsert the dipstick, then remove the dipstick to check the fluid level, which should be between the depression and full marks.

9. If you lot have a leak and need to refill, make sure y'all utilize the recommended transmission fluid, fill it to the appropriate level and get the leak stock-still equally presently as possible.

x. Reinstall the dipstick when done.

Some other indication that the transmission fluid needs changing is if there are particles or other droppings in it. When you take your vehicle in for an oil change or other routine service, the repair facility may urge y'all to pay for a transmission fluid change or flush. Even if they can prove you that the fluid is darker than original, that might not mean you need fresh fluid right now. Footstep dorsum, bank check the maintenance schedule in your possessor's manual and see what the vehicle manufacturer recommends before y'all decide. This too will give y'all time to store for the best toll.

Many repair shops utilize flush systems that strength out the old fluid and pump in new fluid rather than letting the old fluid just drain out. Though that sounds good, some manufacturers say you lot shouldn't do that (Honda is i; in that location are others), so you need to know this before y'all concur to a flush. Look in your owner'southward transmission. Some manufacturers, such as Honda, likewise call for their own type of automatic transmission fluid and warn that using other types could cause harm. Moreover, some automatic transmissions have filters that should be cleaned or replaced when the fluid is changed. Make sure the repair facility is using the right fluid and procedures for your vehicle.

If you lot take never changed the transmission fluid in your vehicle and have more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, should you change it now ? Nosotros have seen mixed opinions on this, with some mechanics suggesting you should simply leave well plenty alone if you aren't having shifting problems. Calculation fuel to this theory are stories about older transmissions failing shortly after they finally received fresh fluid.

Nosotros have a hard time accepting that fresh fluid causes transmission failure, and so our inclination would be to have it done if you're planning on keeping the vehicle a few years or longer. Notwithstanding, fresh fluid is not a cure for gears slipping, crude shifting or other mechanical bug , so don't await a fluid change to be a magic elixir.

Editor'south note: While nosotros hope to assistance you lot, Cars.com is non responsible for any injury or damage that may occur to yous or your vehicle by post-obit the steps higher up.

Cars.com's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com'south long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't take gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com'due south advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Cars.com's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com'southward long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't have gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial section is independent of Cars.com's advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.