Do I Need a Transmission Fluid Flush?

How Often Are Transmission Fluid Services Necessary?

A general rule of thumb is to err on the side of more often rather than less often. Getting a transmission service done more than necessary will not harm your transmission. However, not getting your transmission serviced enough can cause serious damage.

Most manual transmission cars will need a transmission fluid flush around every 30,000-60,000 miles, though that will vary depending on use. Automatic transmissions may not need a transmission fluid flush until they hit 100,000 miles – or later. This is up for debate even amongst mechanics and will depend on the type of driving done most, as well as how long you plan to keep the car.

It’s important to think about the type of driving you’re doing. If you’re doing a lot of stop-and-go city driving, carrying heavy loads or trailers, or driving on more mountainous or hilly terrain, your transmission fluid may need to be serviced more frequently. Any type of driving that raises the temperature within your transmission more will cause more damage, as heat is tough on transmissions. And as the parts within your transmission wear out, the fragments coming off those parts will contaminate your transmission fluid.

What Happens to Transmission Fluid Over Time?

The most likely cause of transmission fluid wearing out will depend on what type of transmission you have. With manual transmissions, contamination is the main factor because there are so many moving parts that interact with one another and wear down over time. On the other hand, automatic transmissions generate more heat and therefore transmission fluid degradation is the key issue. Though contamination is a factor with both types.

What Can You Do Yourself?

Depending on your car, it may be easy to check transmission fluid levels regularly yourself. Automatic transmission cars and some manual transmission cars will have a dipstick for this purpose. If this is the case, you’ll be able to check transmission fluid in the say way you can check your oil. Even if you cannot easily check your transmission fluid level, it’s a good idea to get it checked regularly by a mechanic because often if signs appear, it’s already too late to prevent a more expensive transmission repair.

When you check the transmission fluid level, you should also check the consistency and smell of the fluid. If you notice metal or plastic particles in the fluid or it smells burnt, you should take your car in for a transmission flush as soon as possible. Those both indicate contaminated transmission fluid that could be causing more serious damage to the parts within your transmission.

What Other Signs Should I Look For?

While noticeable signs most likely mean you need more than a transmission fluid service, there are things to look out for. If you notice grinding or strange noises when changing gears, have trouble shifting or notice slipping gears then it’s time for a transmission service. Other signs include surging or a delay in movement.

All of those signs will indicate you need a transmission fluid service – but they also indicate you have waited too long to get that transmission service done, so there is likely more damage to be diagnosed. Once those signs appear, there is mechanical damage within your transmission and that will likely require more than just a simple transmission fluid flush.

What Exactly is a Transmission Fluid Flush?

During this transmission service, your mechanic will drain and flush all of the transmission fluid from within your car’s transmission. This will flush out all of the old worn out and contaminated transmission fluid so that it can be replaced with fresh. The process will also help dislodge extra contaminants to prevent them from getting into the new transmission fluid.

When you get a transmission fluid flush done by your mechanic, you should also get a new filter. Over time, just like the transmission fluid, your filter will become increasingly contaminated. If the transmission fluid is contaminated, so is the filter.

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