A functional transmission seamlessly transfers your engine’s power to the wheels. If the transmission is problematic, your engine may not be adequately lubricated and may subsequently become prone to overheating. When this issue becomes a recurring problem, your car’s performance will be affected. Specifically, your vehicle’s average speed may decrease and it may develop more complicated engine troubles. Transmission Fluid Change-
One way to keep your transmission working well is through a transmission fluid change. This process involves flushing the old transmission fluid and then refilling it. While a transmission fluid change is generally performed by auto service companies, many car owners take the DIY route. Suppose you want to do the same—here are some tips to make the process easier for you. So, read on!
- Know When To Change The Transmission Fluid
Understanding when and how often to change your transmission fluid is vital in keeping your transmission at its best state. Usually, car owners prefer replacing these fluids regularly. Meanwhile, other car owners choose to change their transmission fluid depending on the extent of the car’s use.
Some carmakers suggest that people change their transmission fluid every two years or in 30,000-mile intervals, whichever comes first. Because of this, you need to monitor your car’s odometer. This way, you’ll know if your vehicle has traveled long enough for you to replace the transmission fluid. If it’s been two months since your last transmission fluid change and your car hasn’t reached the 30,000-mile mark, you should still change it.
For better transmission fluid change, you may refer to reliable DIY guides you may find on the web. You may also interview seasoned auto service professionals for more insights. Moreover, you could join auto communities to expand your knowledge on this essential vehicle care process.
Apart from knowing the signs of when to replace your old fluid, it’s also important to know when not to do a transmission fluid change. If the fluid shows debris such as metal bits, and you keep smelling a burnt odor, you may need to bring your car to an auto shop. Doing so will help you decide whether you need an engine repair or a complete rebuild, especially if the scenario is worse than what you expected.
- Know Your Car’s Model And Extent Of Use
It’s also important to note that some vehicles’ transmission fluid still works properly until their 100,000-mile mark. Some cars may also already need fluid changes before the typical 30,000-mile mark. Generally, the car’s model and extent of use determine how early you need to change the transmission fluid.
Aside from these factors, you should consider performing transmission fluid changes if your has gone through any of the following:
- driving in extreme temperatures
- joining a race
- hauling
- towing
- any driving activity that requires maximum engine capacity
- Know Your Transmission Fluid
Generally, cars have three types of transmission fluid. Your choice of transmission fluid depends on whether your vehicle is used or new. To help guide you, the following are the common types of transition fluid you may need to choose from:
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
This transmission fluid is made for cars with an automatic transmission or some special and modern manual transmission vehicles. This fluid contributes to lubricating gears, operating clutch friction, and colling transmission.
- Manual Transmission Fluid
This type of transmission fluid is used in older manual transmission vehicles. However, having a car with a manual transmission doesn’t guarantee that you need this kind of fluid, as new cars need the automatic type.
- Synthetic Transmission Fluid
This transmission fluid is designed for certain chemical reactions. Many car specialists believe that this type of transmission fluid has better qualities than the traditional manual and automatic types. This also lasts longer and may need an extended time of fluid change. However, this type of transmission fluid is more expensive than the others.
If you aren’t particular about what type of transmission fluid to use, you may contact a car specialist to help you identify which best fits your car engine. You may also check your car engine’s specs.
- Choose The Appropriate Method
To lubricate and clean the engine, many car owners choose between the following methods:
- Pumping Method
This approach could remove much of the old fluid as it uses a flusher to pump out most, if not all, of the fluid. This process is preferable for old cars and cars that haven’t undergone transmission fluid change for a long time.
- Drop-The-Pan Method
This procedure is ideal for newer car models and vehicles that have regularly had their transmission fluid changed. In this process, the old fluid flows down into a pan before the new fluid is filled in. This may not suck out all the old fluid but is a quicker way to refill the engine with the new one.
- Use The Right Tools
To ensure that you change the transmission fluid properly, you need to have a complete set of tools. This will save you time, money, and effort as you could complete the fluid change whenever and wherever is most convenient for you. This way, you won’t have to spend as much as when you bring your car to an auto shop.
If you want to replace your old transmission fluid, you need to have the following:
- socket wrenches
- screwdrivers
- longneck funnel
- mallet
- high-lifting jack
- rags
- transmission gasket
- Fill In The Right Amount Of Fluid
In many cases, car owners use three to six quarts of transmission fluid. However, you need to consider the quality of the removed oil and the frequency of your fluid change. In addition, if you’re using the drop-the-pan method, you may need more oil to replenish what’s removed.
However, you should only put in what’s within the safe levels of transmission fluid. Overfilling may cause the fluid to produce foams, leaking to other portions of the engine and car. This could also create problematic engine vibration, oil starvation, and transmission issues.
Wrapping Up
Changing the transmission fluid can be challenging. If you find it too hard for you, you could simply bring your car to your trusted car service center or hire a car mechanic to help you. However, this could cost you time and money.
If you want to save more and practice your skills, the DIY route is perfect for you. With constant practice and the right set of tools, you could master this process after just a few attempts. You may also read more DIY guides about transmission fluid change to learn more about this essential process and other troubleshooting skills. A functional transmission seamlessly transfers your engine’s power to the wheels. If the transmission is problematic, your engine may not be adequately lubricated and may subsequently become prone to overheating. When this issue becomes a recurring problem, your car’s performance will be affected. Specifically, your vehicle’s average speed may decrease and it may develop more complicated engine troubles.
One way to keep your transmission working well is through a transmission fluid change. This process involves flushing the old transmission fluid and then refilling it. While a transmission fluid change is generally performed by auto service companies, many car owners take the DIY route. Suppose you want to do the same—here are some tips to make the process easier for you. So, read on!