A transmission flush is a more comprehensive service in which we power-flush out old transmission fluid and contaminants with custom-blended chemicals. Fresh transmission fluid is then pumped into your system. This service typically requires 30-40 minutes.
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.
Most repairs are fairly quick. Flushing the fluid, sealing, and recalibration can be done within a day. Replacing the shift solenoids takes a day or two. A full rebuild, however, is very time and labor-intensive and will typically take three to four days.
Changing your transmission fluid regularly, especially when it has turned black, is a great way to improve your fuel economy. Your transmission will run smoother after you change the fluid, which means your engine will run smoother as well.
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.
The 5 signs include: 1) strange noises or even grinding coming from the transmission, 2) you experience problems shifting gears, 3) you experience some slippage when shifting gears, 4) unexplained surging of you vehicle, and 5) delay in movement after placing the vehicle in gear.
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.
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.
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 transmission flush is a maintenance process that removes all the oil inside the transmission, replacing it with fresh, clean quarts. To accomplish this, the current fluid is placed through a specific machine where any dirt, grime, or sludge will be “flushed” out, then replaced with new oil.
A transmission flush-and-fill from a shop will cost you $149 to $199. But you can do it yourself and save about $100. Draining the old fluid has always been a messy, ugly job. That's because it has meant lying under the car, “dropping” the pan—and then getting drenched in fluid.
Along with gear slippage, low transmission fluid levels can also cause low levels of pressure, which leads to slower engagement when shifting gears. If you notice your transmission takes a second to engage when put into drive or reverse, it could be due to low fluid levels.
The main thing that happens if you don't change your transmission fluid is that the system can overheat and cause a system failure. Low transmission fluid can also delay or cause difficulty in shifting, which can prevent your vehicle from accelerating or operating correctly.
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.
Generally speaking, transmission fluid replacement and inspection intervals can range anywhere between 15,000 and 100,000 miles. Toyota recommends that vehicles featuring an automatic transmission have their fluid changed every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
For most cars on the road, the time between transmission fluid changes can range anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 km or more. On average, automatic transmissions will require a transmission fluid change every 50,000 to 100,000 km. And manual transmissions require fluid changes every 35,000 to 70,000 km.
Typically an automatic transmission fluid change cost is higher than a manual transmission. This is because the job may also require that your oil filter and pan gasket be replaced as well. The total cost for this service you can estimate to be anywhere from $300-$500.
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.
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.
This is precisely the reason most specialist, independent workshops strongly recommend you replace the transmission fluid regularly in cars that come with a “lifetime” fluid. Prevention is better than cure, so keep the fluids fresh before they degrade to the point that the transmission experiences catastrophic failure.
Strange Noises
If the sound resembles humming, buzzing, or clunking, you may be experiencing transmission failure. Bad automatic transmissions may emit humming, buzzing, or whining noises while manual transmissions have harsher “clunking” sounds.
If your transmission fluid gets low enough, the check engine light could pop on. It's important to have this checked out to make sure it doesn't result in any serious damage.