If you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you have automatic, you can typically boost that range up to 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's no harm in changing your fluid early.
Depending on what the manufacturer recommends, you may need to get a transmission flush every 30,000 miles or two years. In some cases, your owner's manual may suggest waiting until your car reaches 100,000 miles. Your best bet is to check your manual and consult with our technicians.
How Long Does it Take to Flush a Transmission? It can take between 3 to 4 hours to flush out the old transmission fluid by vacuuming or using a simple siphoning system. Siphoning or vacuuming is repeated to remove all sticky dirt from the synchronizing gear and until the inside of the transmission is clean.
Routine transmission flushes are especially important if your car uses an automatic transmission. They can help prevent your transmission's internal hydraulic lines from clogging and protect the inner seals, which can lessen the likelihood of transmission fluid leaks.
Transmission Flush
As a result, your transmission should run cooler and receive maximum protection against wear to clutches, gears, and bearings. You'll also notice smoother, more consistent shifting since the new fluid will provide more effective frictional properties.
Downsides of a Transmission Flush
The flushing procedure may cause some fluid to move in the opposite direction of normal flow due to eddy currents, which may increase the risk of dislodging debris and causing it to settle somewhere it shouldn't.
Almost every car manufacturer recommends against using transmission flushing chemicals, and most will void your transmission warranty if they can prove these chemicals are being used. These chemicals can damage your transmission, which is why most automakers recommend against them.
Drivers can expect to pay $125 to $250 for a transmission fluid flush service. This is approximately twice as much as a transmission fluid change. This is due in large part to the additional fluid required. A flush will take 12 to 22 quarts, while a fluid change requires 5 to 7 quarts.
A transmission fluid flush forces fluid through the transmission and can cause debris to circulate around and clog up parts of your transmission. That said, having it flushed can actually cause more harm than a simple drain & refill.
A flush removes and replaces old transmission fluid. New, clean transmission fluid improves performance and extends the life of your car or truck's transmission.
If you don't replace your transmission fluid, it will break down much like engine oil and lose its lubricating and cleaning properties. This leads to high temperatures, sludge buildup, and excess friction, which can damage the internal clutches that shift the gears.
Transmission Flush - Replaces 100% of your transmission fluid and purges accumulated particles and deposits from the entire transmission. Fluid is expelled from your transmission using a cooler line flushing machine or a pump inlet. The transmission pan is inspected and cleaned, the filter replaced.
Improve shifting: Transmission fluid loses its frictional effects over time, meaning old fluid can result in hard, jerky or hesitant shifting once it becomes worn. Transmission flushes deliver the frictional properties needed to facilitate smoother, more consistent shifting.
Though changing transmission fluid can't fix mechanical problems, it does make for smoother shifts and can extend the life of your transmission. And even when manufacturers recommend fluid change intervals of 150,000 miles under normal conditions, it may be a good idea to change it more frequently.
One key note to using the flush is that you do want to change the filter also as the additive can collect inside the filter while the transmission is being cleaned. If you plan to only complete a flush without a filter change, the cleaning additive is not recommended.
It cleans sludge, gum, and varnish. It also removes harmful deposits and dirty oxidized fluid. It improves shifting and reduces transmission heat. The biggest benefit is it extends the life of your transmission making it less likely for an avoidable expense like premature transmission replacement.
With proper maintenance, transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles or more. This includes changing the fluid in your transmission system and regular checkups. However, when you don't keep up with routine maintenance, your transmission might have problems at the 100,000-mile mark or even sooner.
What Color Is Bad Transmission Oil? A bad transmission fluid color oil is muddy brown, dark brown or black. If you notice this, schedule transmission maintenance as soon as possible before damage occurs.
Good transmission fluid is clear or pink-tinted. If it's a deep red or brown color, then it is old and dirty. You need to replace the transmission fluid to avoid any damage to your transmission. Look to see if there are any visible particles as well, as this can also mean you need to change the fluid.
Very Dark Brown (or Black)
This indicates that your transmission fluid is severely contaminated and often oxidized to a significant degree.
Healthy transmission fluid should be relatively clear or pink in color. If your transmission fluid is deep red or brown, your transmission fluid is old and most likely causing extra damage within your transmission.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission. Sometimes, life happens, and you have to keep driving your vehicle even though you know that it needs to be serviced.
With proper care and maintenance, a new transmission can last for 300,000 miles or more. Since the average American drives 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year, a new transmission could last you up to 30 years under the right conditions.
If you hear buzzing, humming, or clunking you need to have the transmission looked at. If you don't, you risk causing further damage. Another clunking is when the car goes to shift from one gear to another. Instead of a smooth shift, the transmission just clunks, thuds, or drops into the next gear.
Should the whining noise of your transmission continue whenever your vehicle is in gear, this can mean there is a problem occurring in your torque converter. Check to see if the noise desists when you shift the vehicle to park or neutral. A constant whining noise when your car is in gear needs professional attention.