Buying a car is now a trend. It’s easy to own one but difficult to maintain. People are often head over heels for their vehicles and consider them to be a part of their family, which is they pay attention to a lot of things in their cars such as the air pressure in tires, air filter checks, mobile battery replacement and wear and tear of tires. However, one critical component which is often overlooked is the transmission fluid.
There are many fluids that keep your vehicle running smoothly, but one of the most important is the transmission fluid. Change it or not is not a matter of debater, but it’s a fact: You should do it!
What Does Transmission Fluid Do?
As important as engine oil is to keep your car in tip-top shape, so is the role played by transmission fluid.
Shifting gears is a demanding chore for a car and transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that acts as a lubricant and allows a car to shift smoothly without wearing out its components. However, other than lubricating mechanical parts and keeping the gears from grinding, transmission fluid has other functions such as:
- Preparing the gaskets
- Protecting metal surfaces against abrasion
- Assisting in temperature regulation
- Assisting in increasing rotational speed
It is important to note that manual transmission fluid is different from the automatic transmission fluid.
While manual transmission oil has existed somehow since the beginning of automobiles, the automatic transmission fluid was introduced in the late 1930s. Today, automatic transmissions might be considered as one of the most advanced technological and highly intelligent features of a modern automobile, but they still depend on automatic transmission oils for the proper operation of a car.
Why Should We Change The Transmission Fluid?
Over time, the transmission fluid will break down and be soiled with dirt and debris. Naturally, a dirty fluid can hardly serve as an effective lubricant.
Yet despite this, many don’t even bother changing their transmission fluid. The consequence then comes in the form of expensive transmission repairs and replacements. Or worse, a malfunctioning car.
Now, there are several different types and qualities of transmission fluid available on the market, but remember that every vehicle has its own requirements. It’s best to either reference your owner’s manual or seek the help of experts at Fix it Transmissions when it comes to choosing the right fluids for your car.
How Often Do I Have To Change Transmission Fluid?
- For Manual Transmissions:
Generally speaking, most vehicle manufacturers strongly recommend a transmission fluid change every 30, 000 to 60, 000 miles.
- For Automatic Transmissions:
If you have an automatic, you can change your transmission fluid every 60, 000 to 100, 000 miles.
However, changing your transmission oil can also depend on other several factors such as the type of transmission your car has or your style of driving. Furthermore, harsh weather conditions or even towing heavy loads can cause more strain on your transmission and thus require a transmission fluid change.
The easiest solution is to refer to your car’s manual or to use the transmission dipstick, which is located right behind the oil dipstick. Using a clean rag or paper towel, wipe off the dipstick and then examine the transmission fluid’s hue.
- If the result is bright pink, it means the fluid is still freshly new. Thus, no need to change it.
- If the hue is light brown with a little touch of pink, consider a replacement.
- If it’s dark brown, it means that the fluid hasn’t been changed in a very long time. Sometimes, it can also indicate transmission damage.
Want To Escape The Possibility Of Transmission Damage?
Rumour has it that changing transmission fluid after a very long time can cause damage. That’s not just a rumour, it’s the plain truth. Changing old transmission fluid after the mileage has already crossed 180, 000, for example, indeed carries a great risk.
A Word To The Wise: If you want to avoid this whole dilemma and ensure a healthy transmission for your vehicle, contact Fix it Transmissions now!