![]() ![]() Checking Your Automatic-Transmission Fluid Any questionable transmission behavior (such as slipping, rough shifts or a delay in gear engagement) is a good reason to look elsewhere. ![]() Of course, it’s always possible that the seller just replaced the transmission fluid themselves in an effort to correct a slipping transmission (or to just make it appear as though the maintenance has been kept up) in that case, you’re reliant on the results of a test drive. It’s always best to check the transmission fluid before buying a used car, and if it’s at all questionable, take a pass - replacing the transmission is a huge expense, often costing more than a 100,000-mile car is worth. This theory often comes into play when someone buys a used car with high mileage and an unknown service record. That’s because there are friction clutches in the transmission that are activated when changing gears, and if they’re very worn, the stickiness of the old fluid or grainy metallic flecks might be all that’s preventing those worn clutch surfaces from slipping. That bad fluid may have a “sticky” quality to it or metal flecks that act to aid friction, and if it’s changed, the new fluid might cause the transmission to start slipping. Why? Because it probably looks that way due to wear in the transmission. The concern is that if the fluid appears to be past its prime - dark-colored, smelling burnt or with metal flecks in it - then it may be best to leave it alone. (If you bought the car used and don’t know whether the fluid was changed at recommended intervals, it may be logged in something like a CarFax report.) However, if the transmission is shifting properly and the fluid is vivid red or pink without metallic flecks in it - as “good” fluid normally is - you’d probably be fine changing the fluid as a preventative maintenance measure since it implies the transmission itself is OK. On another note, some folks question whether it’s a good idea to change the transmission fluid in an older car if it hasn’t received its previously scheduled fluid changes. If you plan to keep the car well past that point, it’s a small price to pay if it saves you from having to replace the transmission - which would be a big price to pay. In the past, the factory-recommended interval for changing the automatic transmission fluid was typically between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, but some newer vehicles have what’s referred to as “lifetime fluid.” However, there’s some question as to whether never changing the transmission fluid may shorten that “lifetime.” Thus, there’s something to be said for at least checking the fluid (as some can leak out) and probably changing it at about 100,000 miles. In any case, a transmission-fluid change, if done correctly, can address all of those issues. You can usually tell if transmission fluid is leaking, as you’ll see pink or red puddles on the ground - or maybe dark puddles if the transmission fluid is bad. However, if the fluid is low, it’s likely because it’s leaking out somewhere, as it doesn’t just “burn off” as engine oil sometimes does. That debris is largely trapped by a filter that’s replaced when the fluid is changed.įurthermore, it’s possible that the fluid level can get low, which can cause shifting problems. Also, the clutch surfaces wear over time, and that creates debris. For vehicles operating under “severe service” conditions, you should probably have the transmission fluid changed more often - as might be called for in the maintenance schedule. When heat breaks down the fluid, it loses some of its capabilities.Įxcess heat can be generated by stop-and-go driving, hauling heavy loads or towing a trailer. The fluid is not only a lubricant, but it also serves to prevent corrosion and actuate the clutches inside the transmission that perform the shifts. Heat is the biggest killer of your transmission, partly because it’s the biggest killer of your transmission fluid. Related: We Answer Your Manual Transmission Questions Why Does the Transmission Fluid Need to Be Changed? ![]() (Note: While manual transmissions may also have service internals, the process is comparatively simple, so we’ll only be discussing automatics here.) But in the case of automatic transmissions, there may be some exceptions. As with most automotive maintenance questions, following the factory-recommended intervals for changing your transmission fluid is generally your best bet.
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