How often to change transmission fluid?
How often to change your transmission fluid is going to be a long and tedious debate if you want a generic answer without going into the specifics of your car such as make, operating conditions, nuances you notice while shifting, etc.
How often to change transmission fluid?
To make an informed decision about how often to change your transmission fluid based on your own vehicle’s needs, you can follow a few simple guidelines. However, your first point of reference should always be the maintenance section of your owner’s manual. If the manual does not contain any recommendations, you can determine it based on the following factors.
1. Transmission Type: Automatic or Manual?
Different transmission systems use different types of fluids. Fluid degradation over time is more common with automatic transmissions due to high heat generation from hydraulic pressure. Transmission fluid contamination is a major problem in manual systems. It happens because they have more moving parts that cause more frictional wear.
The change of fluid depends on the type of transmission.
What can you do to make the transmission system last longer? Consider replacing the fluid at intervals of approximately 75,000 to 100,000 miles for automatic transmissions. It will be 30,000 to 60,000 miles in case of manual systems. A more frequent fluid change goes a long way and doesn’t hurt, in case you were wondering.
Don’t Repeat These Black Transmission Fluid Mistakes
The principle of operation of CVT
2. Driving habits
For normal driving under normal conditions, it is not necessary to change the transmission fluid frequently. But you’ll need frequent transmission fluid changes if your vehicle is used under other than normal conditions, such as:
- Trailer or heavy transport,
- Driving at low speed for long periods of time
- Frequent driving on uneven terrain
Depending on the degree of use, you may need to change it frequently. The rule is to change every 15,000 miles for manual transmissions and 30,000 miles for automatic transmissions. Keep the fluid under regular check. Opt for a change if the color is different from the characteristic bright red.
Things to keep in mind
Various models from the same automaker may have different service requirements, for example, the Honda transmission fluid change is not the same for a Vezel and an Accord, or even for 2006 and 2018 Honda Accords. Not a good idea ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations. recommendations on how often to change transmission fluid.
A low fluid level is a shortcut to transmission failure or quick damage. Visit a service shop and test the fluid level if you have concerns about a leak or find changing gears strenuous.
Also, have your transmission system checked immediately if you feel gear slippage, notice any unusual noise or vibration in the transmission, or feel any unexplained difference in your vehicle while operating the gearbox or transmission.
If you’ve never changed your transmission fluid and your odometer reads over 100,000 miles, check out this article on black transmission fluid before deciding if changing your fluid is a good idea.
