It’s essential for car owners to keep a close eye on any potential vehicle maintenance operation, and one of those tasks is to change a vehicle’s transmission fluid. A transmission likely will be one of the most expensive things to repair if it’s neglected for a while. Luckily, similar to some other routine operations, it’s easy to check your transmission and replace the fluid as needed.
Changing your transmission fluid is a much less frequent task because experts recommend replacing the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. In this article, we’ll discuss what your transmission is, why it’s important, and how to know when it’s time to replace the transmission fluid.
What’s a Transmission?
The transmission is the car’s gearbox, similar to the gear shifter and system of chains on a bicycle. It allows a vehicle to seamlessly shift gears and park. The typical transmission has either five or six gear sets and then belts or chains that run along a few of the gears. Because of the transmission, power can be delivered to the engine without affecting the engine’s speed. So, a transmission makes sure the engine spins at the correct rate, not too fast or too slow.
What’s Transmission Fluid?
Just like how a vehicle’s engine needs oil to work, so does the transmission. Lubrication ensures that all of the moving parts of the transmission (gear sets, gears, chains, belts, etc.) can move without wear, drag, or too much friction. If the transmission isn’t properly lubricated, the metal parts would grind and break down more quickly. Whether your vehicle is an automatic or manual transmission, both types require transmission fluid.
When Do I Know to Change My Transmission Fluid?
The boilerplate answer to change transmission fluid is every 30,000 or 60,000 miles. This can change depending on your vehicle’s make and model, or from a mechanic’s recommendation. A good thing to keep in mind is that manual transmissions typically need a fluid change more frequently than automatic transmissions.
Signs You Need a Transmission Fluid Change
Nevertheless, 30,000 to 60,000 miles is a wide range, so it’s smart to keep an eye out for any signs that your transmission may not be working properly. For any questions or recommendations, don’t be afraid to contact the experts at Performance Muffler.
Audible. The transmission, of course, is a key part to your vehicle’s performance, and the sure sign of low transmission fluid is grinding, cranking, or other loud noises from under the hood.
Visual. Puddles under your car can indicate a number of leaks, such as from the exhaust system or transmission, which means your car should go to the shop as soon as possible. The other key visual sign is your check engine light, which should never be ignored.
Feel. Another way to determine if your engine is working well is how it feels when you drive. If you notice your vehicle shift, difficulty accelerating, struggle to change gears, or more, your engine or transmission are damaged or lack fluid.
Final Thoughts
All of the maintenance operations to your car can sometimes be overwhelming, but manufacturers and mechanics all agree that staying on top of regular maintenance operations will both ease the stress of maintaining a car and ensuring it lasts for a long time. One element to that is changing all of your vehicle’s fluids in a timely manner, including the transmission fluid.
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