Routine maintenance is needed to keep a car in top condition. Every car owner understands this and strives to stay up-to-date with routine maintenance. While some maintenance practices like oil or tire changes are well-known, some tend to elude car owners. One of the latter is transmission fluid change, something we’ll be discussing in full in this article.
You can top off the transmission fluid yourself as it’s a fairly simple and straightforward process. However, how often you replace the fluid depends on the make and model of your car and you should consult the owner’s manual for this.
As you’ll learn later in this article, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to when to replace transmission fluid. You’ll have to find out and follow your manufacturer’s recommendations. Continue reading to learn more about transmission fluids and how often to change them.
What Is The Transmission Fluid?
An automobile uses different types of fluid from brake fluid to transmission fluid, engine oil, power steering fluid, windshield water fluid, coolant, hydraulic fluid, gear oil, lubricants, and antifreeze. Each of these fluids has its specific role and one of the most important of them all is the transmission fluid.
Just like the engine needs oil to cool and lubricate its internal component, the transmission also requires its own fluid for the same purpose. Regardless of the type of transmission that comes equipped with a vehicle, the transmission fluid will always be needed for the transmission to function optionally.
For those not familiar with the transmission, it’s the component of a car that moves power from the engine to the wheels. You are able to drive your car and change speed thanks to the transmission.
Can You Change The Transmission Fluid Yourself?
There’s a reason why many people don’t give the transmission much thought and this is because the transmission fluid doesn’t require frequent changes like some of the other fluids in the car.
If there’s ever a need to change your transmission fluid, you can do it yourself as all you have to do is just top off the fluid already in your car. While this process is simple and straightforward, it may still be a good idea to let your mechanic take a look at your vehicle if the transmission fluid gets low.
This is because transmission fluid isn’t supposed to get low. It may get dirty at times but the reason why the transmission fluid can get low is if there’s a leak somewhere. So, you should consider having a mechanic check your cat out if the transmission fluid gets consistently low. Chances are, there’s a leak somewhere that needs fixing.
Another way to know if there’s a leak in the transmission fluid is to look for puddles under the car after parking for some time. A yellowish fluid on the floor is an indication that the transmission fluid is leaking.
How Often Should You Replace Transmission Fluid?
How often you have to replace your transmission fluid depends on the model and make of your car. Your driving habits also affect how often you replace your fluid. If you haul heavy loads or do a lot of stop-and-go driving, your transmission fluid will degenerate faster and will need to be replaced more often. Apart from these situations, you’ll only need to change your transmission fluid once in a while.
Below are recommendations on when to change transmission fluid from some manufacturers:
General Motors: recommend that you change the transmission fluid every 45,000 miles, especially if you’ve been driving in severe conditions. However, the company didn’t give a specific schedule for normal driving conditions.
Toyota: recommends that you change the transmission fluid every 60,000 after severe use. Unless you’ve been driving under severe conditions, there’s no real need to replace the transmission fluid.
Honda: For Honda vehicles, the manufacturer recommends that the maintenance minder on its vehicle. For those not familiar with Honda’s maintenance minder, it’s a component that monitors driving time and mileage and alerts the driver when it’s time for certain maintenance practices.
Ford: recommends that drivers replace transmission fluid after every 150,000 miles under normal driving conditions. While the company doesn’t specify when to change the transmission fluid under severe driving, it’s natural that you change your transmission fluid faster than normal in the aforementioned driving condition.
BMW: recommends you change your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles.
Mercedes-Benz: recommends you change your transmission fluid every 40,000 miles.
As you can see, the intervals for changing transmission fluid vary among manufacturers and you should consult your owner’s manual for your manufacturer’s recommendation.
It’s worth mentioning that some manufacturers design their cars in such a way that there’s no need for fluid top-up except if there’s a leak somewhere. The compartment for holding transmission fluid may even be sealed in such vehicles and you’ll need a mechanic in case there’s ever a need to open the transmission fluid compartment.
Signs You Might Need Fresh Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid can lose its effectiveness over time depending on your driving habits. Tiny metal shavings and other residue may also get into the fluid and affect how it works.
Signs of a bad or failing transmission mainly involve your transmission shifting sluggishly or slipping out of gears. If you notice any of this, it may be time to change your transmission fluid.
To check the level of your transmission gear or access its current condition, consult the owner’s manual. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, you may have to check the transmission fluid with the engine running or off. The owner’s manual will specify which one works for your vehicle.
The transmission oil dipstick is usually located under the hood in the engine compartment. It usually looks similar to the oil dipstick. Remove the transmission oil dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it in the fluid compartment. Then remove it again to know the level of your transmission fluid. If there’s a need to add transmission fluid, you should add it in increments to avoid adding too much fluid.
