
- TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE HOW TO
- TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE MANUALS
- TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE MANUAL
Average cost to change transmission fluidīelow are the cost ranges for a transmission fluid change for popular makes and models. Burnt transmission fluid means you should get to a transmission shop for a flush and fluid and filter change as soon as possible. Some of these conditions can be the result of low transmission fluid levels.
Slippage when the engine races but the transmission isn’t really engaging properly. Delayed shifts from one gear to another. Delayed engagement putting the transmission in gear. ATF darker in color, rather than the pinkish/magenta color of fresh fluid. Regardless of manufacturer recommendations on how often you should change your transmission fluid, these are all signs of possible trouble: Signs you need to change your transmission fluid A transmission cooler looks like a small radiator and mounts up front for air flow, with a supply line and return line from the transmission circulating fluid through it. That’s why aftermarket transmission coolers are available for heavy hauling or towing. The excess heat generated by towing a trailer or hauling a heavy load puts a huge amount of stress on your transmission and ATF, and will break the fluid down much faster. Heat in particular is the enemy of transmission fluid. The same sort of thing happens with transmission fluid-it picks up microscopic metal shavings, some of which are caught in the filter, then loses its lubricating properties and leaves varnish-like deposits on internal assemblies, possibly clogging small passages inside the unit. Motor oil degrades over time, picking up contaminants and losing its ability to lubricate. Why does transmission fluid need to be changed? Make certain that you’re using the manufacturer’s recommended fluid-even if you take your vehicle to a shop for a flush and refill. Using the wrong variety of ATF in your transmission can cause serious damage or even destroy the unit in fairly short order.
No doubt this seems pretty confusing, but here’s the one thing you need to remember: Each of the variations listed above are designed specifically for those vehicles.
ATF-TIV (Lexus, Volvo, VW, Audi, certain Toyota models). Matic S, Matic K, Matic D (Nissan, Subaru, Infiniti). Today, manufacturers and engineering teams have ATF formulations specific to their vehicles, including: There used to be only a few types of transmission fluid on the market: Type F for Ford vehicles, Type A, Dexron/Mercon for General Motors and Dexron II for GM and Chrysler models. Without the fluid, your car’s transmission would overheat and self-destruct within a few minutes of operation. Unlike green antifreeze or honey-colored motor oil, ATF is dyed red to make it easy to identify. ATF contains additive packages, friction modifiers, anti-foaming additives, gasket conditioners, anti-corrosion agents, detergents and other ingredients custom-formulated to provide the best protection and reliability. Until the 1970s, transmission fluid actually contained whale oil as one of its ingredients. It lubricates and cools the transmission and prevents oxidation and corrosion, as well as transferring torque through the unit. What is automatic transmission fluid?Īutomatic transmission fluid (ATF) is as vital to your transmission as motor oil is to your engine. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE MANUAL
Manual transmissions should generally have their gear oil changed every 30,000-60,000 miles. A manual transmission’s design is fundamentally different, but their oil can still be prone to contamination by microscopic metal fragments that wear synchronizers, bearings and other parts. Manual transmissions need their gear oil changed over a vehicle’s life cycle, but they require a completely different type of oil from the kind used for automatic transmissions.
TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE MANUALS
Is there a difference between manuals and automatics? There are a lot of reasons for that variance. Some automakers have even introduced sealed automatic transmissions with no dipstick, no filler tube and lifetime transmission fluid.
Different manufacturers use different formulations, and their maintenance intervals for how often you should change transmission fluid can vary from about 30,000 miles to… never. Many car owners don’t know how often to change transmission fluid, and the truth is that there’s no hard-and-fast answer. How often should transmission fluid be changed?
TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE HOW TO
If you don’t know how often to change transmission fluid or how to check it, read on for a rundown. That’s a shame: Other than the engine, the transmission is the most vital component to the vehicle’s operation. But other fluids, such as brake fluid and (especially) transmission fluid fly under the radar. Most people know about fluids like motor oil and windshield washer solution and regularly check and replace them.