Changing Transmission Fluids

Transmission Fluid is the Lifeblood of your Transmission

Humans need 8 glasses of water each day to help maintain optimal health and to keep our systems running smoothly. When it comes to your transmission, fluid is also crucial so it’s important to make sure to maintain your transmission fluid.

The Importance of Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid serves three purposes. First, it serves as the hydraulic element of the system, as proper pressure of the fluid within the transmission regulates gear changes in an automatic transmission. It also keeps the transmission clean and lubricated. There is a lot of friction happening within the transmission at any time and these mechanisms are designed to work with the full capacity of transmission fluid. As soon as the levels drop, that friction is less productive and more damaging.

And finally, transmission fluid helps with cooling the transmission. Bob McFegan of the North Vancouver Mister Transmission explains why this is so important.

“Heat will break down the fluid so it’s more like a varnish. The hydraulics are still there but the lubrication isn’t. It gets to be like a glaze and it’s harder for the transmission to push it through the filter.”

When the transmission fluid breaks down this way, the seals and gaskets that help maintain fluid pressure will begin to harden, which can lead to leaks and loss of pressure. Keeping the transmission properly cooled helps to keep these soft and pliable and functioning correctly. Transmission fluid does not burn like oil in an engine, so if the levels drop, there is a leak. This should be taken care of immediately in order to avoid the loss of fluid and pressure and more damage to the transmission.

Another disadvantage of fluid breakdown is the difficulty with filtration. While the parts of your transmission are designed to work optimally within the fluid, friction is still a necessary part of the equation. Friction also means wear and tear over time and debris begins to form.

Jim Hodgson of the Mister Transmission in Peterborough, Ontario says,

“Debris is part of normal wear. Clutches and bearings are always running and minute particles break off and get suspended in the fluid. When we drain it out, it has usually started to turn brown and is known for smelling like burnt toast.”

Transmission Maintenance

The frequency of your transmission service is largely determined by how you drive your vehicle. For most of us, once every year to two years should be sufficient. If you have high mileage on your vehicle or you put it to the test on a regular basis by towing (i.e. a camping trailer or boat) or you carry more weight in your vehicle with equipment or tools, you should have it tested at least once a year as these sources of added weight put additional stress on the transmission.

Most transmission service appointments will include a road test of your vehicle by a technician who will look for symptoms of transmission problems in the way it drives. This is often accompanied by a scanner, which is attached to the transmission computer to identify any electrical problems.

If there are no specific concerns, the technician will perform a transmission flush to remove the old fluid. It is replaced with new transmission fluid that is specific to your vehicle’s needs, which is re-circulated through the transmission and a new filter is installed.

This type of preventative transmission maintenance can keep your car running longer and minimize larger transmission problems and more expensive repair bills down the road.

If you are interested in having a transmission service on your vehicle, please contact your local Mister Transmission and book an appointment for our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection.