The maintenance of your vehicle goes beyond the routine oil change and the tyre rotation. When we talk about the vehicle maintenance we usually skip at the routine checks of the transmission fluid because they are one of the easily neglected parts of the vehicles. Fact is that the transmission is the most critical component of your car because this system is what delivers the engine power to the wheels to make your vehicle run. That is why transmission fluid is so important because this system needs proper lubrication to perform smoothly, efficiently, and reliably. Getting regular check ups on your transmission fluid can help avoid costly repairs, prolong the life of the transmission and improve the performance of your vehicle. Check out this article to find out why we should consider a routine transmission fluid check part of our regular car maintenance.
- Understanding Transmission Fluid and Its Role
Transmission fluid is a type of lubricant, which means it has the primary goal of reducing friction between components, but in the case of transmission fluid it also has some more specific uses to serve in the transmission system, such as:
Lubrication: At least half of what transmission fluid does is lubricate moving transmission parts and eliminate friction so that the parts don’t wear away.
Cooling: Transmission fluid pulls heat out of the transmission while it is running. It needs to do this because heat is a major cause of transmission failure.
Hydraulic Function: (1) Automatic transmission uses fluid as a hydraulic fluid to ensure the mist-free operation of gears, clutches and valves, thereby reducing the resistance of shifting and improving the driving performance.
Cleaning and Protection: Detergents and additives in the transmission fluid help to clean and protect internal transmission components from deposits of sludge, varnish and other contaminants.
- The Importance of Routine Transmission Fluid Checks
Like engine oil, transmission fluid can be affected by heat, friction and contamination over time, so it needs regular checks for a number of reasons.
Prevents Overheating: Another advantage to getting regular transmission fluid checks is that it helps to prevent overheating. When your transmission fluid gets too low or dirty, it can overheat, slip gears, and eventually fail completely. This means that you’ll have to get it repaired or replaced.
Ensures Smooth Shifting: Enough clean fluid will ensure a smooth shift through the gears, reducing the chance of jerking or delayed shifting, which are not only irritating to drive but detrimental to the vehicle’s performance.
Extends Life of the Transmission: Checking and changing your transmission fluid will prolong the life of your transmission. Fresh fluid with no contamination keeps parts clean and reduces wear while keeping the system operating effectively.
Catches Problems Early: Regular checks will alert you to problems maybe caused by micro-leaks, contamination or fluid degradation before a much greater big issue rears its ugly head.
- How to Check Your Transmission Fluid
Changing your oil is easy, but do you know how to check your transmission fluid at home? Here’s how.
Step 1: Warm Up the Vehicle
As transmission fluid expands when heated, it’s best to check the level when the vehicle is at operating temperature, so start the engine, let it idle for a few minutes, or take it for a short drive.
Step 2: Locate the Transmission Dipstick
An engine dipstick (similar in design to those used for checking engine oil) is normally fitted somewhere in the engine bay at the front of the vehicle. It’s usually located beneath the bonnet, towards the rear of that compartment, though different makes and models might have them placed a little differently, so if you’re not sure then always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Step 3: Check the Fluid Level
With the engine running or warm, the car parked or in neutral (check your manual for your exact car’s specifications), pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, replace it then remove it again. You can put it all the way in, then wiggle it back out. It should be within the marked range on the dipstick.
Step 4: Inspect the Fluid Condition
Likewise, transmission fluid should be a bright, clear colour – whether it’s red, or perhaps amber in some vehicles – and it will smell clean. If the fluid is dark, cloudy and, worse yet, exhibits the telltale odour of burnt toast or caramel, this might be a good time to flush or replace the fluid – if you spot a few metal flakes on the dipstick, even better!
Step 5: Top Off If Necessary
If the fluid level is low, add the correct type of transmission fluid (constantly consult your vehicle’s manual to verify). Do not over-fill as excess fluid will produce pressure that places your transmission in peril of damage.
- When to Check Transmission Fluid
Check your transmission fluid… If you are covering a lot of hours or do a lot of driving, you should check your transmission fluid more often.Also, the type of car you drive and its manufacturer’s recommendations influence when you should check your transmission fluid. Here are some general guidelines, however.
Monthly Maintenance Schedule: Always check your tranny fluid whenever you change your oil, which should be about every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Before Long Trips: Check the product mentioned above when preparing a long road trip.
Transmission Troubles? Examining the Fluid Can Give You a Clue If you notice that your transmission is slipping, shifting roughly or making other noises, check the fluid immediately.
- The Consequences of Ignoring Transmission Fluid Checks
Neglecting to check and maintain your transmission fluid can lead to several serious issues:
Transmission Overheating: Insufficient or degraded transmission fluid can result in overheating of the system and, consequently, failure from damage to internal parts.
Greater Wear and Tear: The moving parts in the transmission are not being lubricated, so they can wear out faster, which could result in expensive repairs or even a transmission rebuild.
Poor running:slow or jerky gear changesdue to poor running and very poor fuel economy. low or dirty oil. Performance directly related to the fluid level and condition.
Pricey repairs: One of the costliest automobile repair jobs are the transmission repairs because you cannot drive your car without a proper transmission. Suggestion: You can effectively avoid these repairs by proper inspections and regular transmission maintenance, which usually work to prevent the breakdowns of the transmission.
- Transmission Fluid Change vs. Flush
Apart from routine inspections, you should drain/replace or flush the transmission fluid periodically. The difference is:
Transmission Fluid Change: Consists of full fluid drain, drain fluid and replace with new fluid. This procedure will result in replacement of 50-60% of the life fluid.
Transmission Fluid Flush: A fluid flush is much more thorough than a drain-and-fill. It uses a machine to remove most of the old fluid and its contaminants from the entire system. It’s usually not needed unless the fluid is heavily contaminated or your car’s manufacturer recommends it.
Your car’s manufacturer will tell you how often to change or flush your transmission fluid – a ballpark figure is every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, but this can increase dramatically in conditions that are hard on the vehicle (extra towing, for instance, or very dusty or salty conditions).
- Professional Transmission Maintenance
Even though you can check some levels of transmission fluid, like on an automatic, yourself:
Spotting a Transmission Problem: If you see any red flags of transmission trouble, a competent mechanic will be able to accurately diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.
Transmission Fluid Flush: While technically possible for the DIYer to do your own fluid flush, the key is that the fluid is changed correctly and at proper intervals, meaning this is a better job for the shop professional to get done right and the right type and quantity of fluid is used.
Regular Service: A lot of times, early transmission trouble can be detected by a qualified technician before it gets worse. So a regular transmission service will help ensure your car keeps running well for longer.
Conclusion: Protect Your Vehicle with Routine Transmission Fluid Checks
Routine checks of transmission fluid are part and parcel of maintaining a vehicle. The process is quick, easy and will keep the transmission cooler, function better, and prevent costly repairs. Keep the readings clean and the levels full as recommended, and your vehicle will be on the road for years to come. Whether the checks are routine maintenance on the part of the owner, or are carried out by professionals, doing what is necessary to keep the transmission in shape is vital to the long-term reliability and usability of the vehicle in question. Never ignore it, next time you are under the hood.