When done at the right time, a transmission fluid change can really benefit your vehicle. But when is a fluid change necessary? And what are the benefits of a transmission fluid change?
If you drive an automatic transmission, as most Canadians do, then your transmission needs automatic transmission fluid (often just called “transmission fluid”). Transmission fluid is important because it lubricates the components inside your transmission, and it acts as a coolant. Furthermore, transmission fluid can also clean and protect metal components within the transmission, condition gaskets, and increase rotational speed and temperature range. There are different types of transmission fluid and your vehicle’s operating manual will tell you which fluid is best for your vehicle, though broadly speaking, synthetic transmission fluids are usually the best.
But what if your transmission is a manual? If that’s the case, then your transmission might use one of a few parallels to automatic transmission fluid. First, your manual transmission might simply just use automatic transmission fluid. Second, it might use motor oil. And third, you might need transmission oil or “heavyweight hypoid gear oil”.
Checking your transmission—which you should do regularly—will give you insight into whether or not it needs to be changed. You need to check your transmission fluid for two things. One, that fluid level reaches the recommended marking on your dipstick. If it does not, you need to top up your transmission fluid. Two, you must check the quality of your transmission fluid. Good transmission fluid is mostly odourless and translucent (with a reddish hue). If your transmission fluid is opaque or foul smelling, then there’s probably something wrong with your transmission. If so, you could benefit from a transmission fluid change.
Your transmission can’t run properly on damaged or used up transmission fluid. Burnt transmission fluid can’t lubricate or cool your transmission as well as new fluid. If there is too much particulate in your transmission fluid, those small minerals and metals can damage the other components of your transmission. If there’s something wrong with your transmission fluid, you should bring your vehicle into Mister Transmission so we can investigate with our Multi-Check Inspection. During the course of our inspection and any service or repair that might be necessary, we can also change your transmission fluid for you so you can be sure your transmission is running at maximum efficiency.
Mister Transmission offers quick and affordable transmission fluid changes for any model of car. To learn more, please contact us. We also have a comprehensive COVID-19 policy to keep everybody safe.
The Mister Transmission team consists of certified transmission specialists with decades of combined experience in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining automatic and manual transmissions.
With over 60 years of service across Canada, our experts provide trusted, accurate, and up-to-date automotive advice to help drivers make informed decisions about their vehicles.
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