What You’re Getting Wrong About Transmission Fluid Changes

October 27, 2022 | By Mister Transmission

What You're Getting Wrong About Transmission Fluid Changes

Whether you’re a first-time vehicle owner or a seasoned driver, here are some misconceptions you might have about transmission fluid changes.

160,000 Kilometres Is The Maximum Interval For A Transmission Fluid Change.

The main thing drivers get wrong about transmission fluid changes is when to do them. If you look online for recommended transmission fluid change intervals, or even in your vehicle owner’s manual, you’ll likely see a range of 95,000 km–160,000 km (or roughly 60,000 miles–100,000 miles). Many drives automatically default to the higher end of this range. They may even think that 170,000, 180,000, or 190,000 km is close enough. It isn’t.

Let’s remember what transmission fluid does. It cools and cleans transmissions. Did you know most transmission problems involve overheating? Without effective, clean fluid, your transmission is liable to overheat. Furthermore, because transmission fluid collects particulate matter as it cycles through your transmission, it becomes adulterated over time. It eventually turns sludgy, and then it can do more damage than good. There’s no harm in getting your fluid changed every 95,000 km. At Mister Transmission, we don’t charge a lot to perform a fluid change, and this service could save you thousands going forward in unnecessary repairs.

Transmission Fluid Is Mostly Used In Automatic Transmissions.

The above figures are for automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions typically require more frequent fluid/oil changes. A common recommended interval is 45,000–95,000 km. Most cars on Canadian roads use automatic transmissions, so when Canadian drivers first purchase a manual transmission vehicle, they’re often surprised to learn they don’t need transmission fluid at all. They need something else.

Transmission fluid is technically called automatic transmission fluid, or ATF. Manual transmissions use transmission oil, hypoid gear oil, or motor oil. And, just to make things more confusing, some manual transmissions do use ATF. If you could use some clear instruction on what’s best for your manual transmission, you can come to Mister Transmission. Our technicians can recommend what oil or fluid is best for your transmission and perform the necessary fluid/oil changes.

You Maybe Should Be Using Synthetic Transmission Fluid.

Synthetic transmission fluid offers some advantages over traditional ATF. It has the same essential molecular structure, but it’s synthesized. The synthesization process removes some impurities, so this fluid is often more efficient and can go longer without being changed. The technicians at Mister Transmission can let you know if synthetic fluid might be better for your vehicle.

Come To Mister Transmission For A Transmission Fluid/Oil Change.

At Mister Transmission, we can check your fluid, change it, examine the pan for signs of transmission distress, and more. Please contact us to schedule a transmission oil or fluid change.

image-reviews image-reviews
Customer Reviews
Excellent service. Brian and other...
Navjot Kaur
Excellent service. Brian and other team members were very helpful. They gave honest advice for my vehicle and I can’t thank them enough for saving my thousands of dollars on repair.
Date: March 16, 2024
Website: Google
Amazing customer service! Super friendly!...
Cynicalest T
Amazing customer service! Super friendly! Family owned by mark and son both awesome people!
Date: March 15, 2024
Website: Google
Mark and his staff are...
Ryan Rose
Mark and his staff are the BEST!!! Kind, knowledgeable, transparent. Will gladly take any and all of my future business to him and his exceptional team.
Date: March 15, 2024
Website: Google
Excellent help! Chris had his...
Steve Vandevelde
Excellent help! Chris had his guys test and inspect my transmission for free. Knowing that I preferred to save money by doing as much as possible myself, they gave me all sorts of advice, laying out the pros and cons for my choice. I trust these guys. I recommend this shop.
Date: March 15, 2024
Website: Google
Jamie and the staff went...
DARIN GEAKE
Jamie and the staff went above and beyond to help me get my car fixed. I have a Subaru that was having issues and they spent a lot of time making sure everything was done correctly. Even though they did extra work and got extra parts to make it work, he stuck to his original quote (which btw was almost half of what I was quoted by a different shop). I would recommend Mr. Transmission to anyone!!!
Date: March 15, 2024
Website: Google
Thank you for the great...
Linda Jones
Thank you for the great service we received at Mister Transmission in Barrie. It was exceptional. They made sure the vehicle was at 100% before they let us pick it up. I would recommend them to anyone that needs transmission repairs. All the employees were pleasant and made you feel important. If you had any questions they answered them right away. Great job everyone. Ted and Linda Jones.
Date: March 14, 2024
Website: Google
I needed an expensive repair...
Daniel Zwiercan
I needed an expensive repair but the folks at Mister Transmission helped me save money where I could and did a great job. Thank you.
Date: March 14, 2024
Website: Google
Friendly and efficient, you couldn’t...
Dale Allen
Friendly and efficient, you couldn’t ask for much more from a mechanic.
Date: March 14, 2024
Website: Google
Got my car back fast...
Brenda Kane
Got my car back fast , amazing staff. Thanks Mr transmission!!
Date: March 14, 2024
Website: Google
Great facilities and friendly staff,...
Jack
Great facilities and friendly staff, highly recommend!
Date: March 13, 2024
Website: Google
Featured Services
Transmission Repair

The evolution of transmissions has made these machines and systems increasingly complex. When transmission repairs are required, determining the cause and cure for what ails can be tricky.

Read More
Transmission Technology

At Mister Transmission we have access to leading-edge diagnostic equipment, enabling us to offer you the fastest and most accurate findings about what’s going on inside your vehicle’s transmission.

Read More
Transmission Maintenance & Service

Just as you have other parts of your car serviced, your transmission needs maintenance to ensure a long life and avoid transmission problems.

Read More
Recent Blogs
How A Timely Transmission Fluid Change C...
In the world of automotive maintenance, the importance of a timely transmission fluid
Read More
February 23, 2024
Rebuild Transmission: A Cost-Effective S...
In the complex world of automotive repairs, transmission issues can be among the most
Read More
February 16, 2024
The Journey To Becoming A Leading Transm...
In the dynamic world of automotive repair, the rise to prominence of a transmission
Read More
February 9, 2024
What Makes A Transmission Repair Shop St...
In the automotive service industry, selecting the right transmission repair shop is
Read More
February 2, 2024
Mister Transmission’s Approach To ...
When it comes to maintaining the health and efficiency of your vehicle, the
Read More
January 26, 2024
Solving Automatic Transmission Slipping:...
Automatic transmission slipping is a common yet perplexing issue faced by many
Read More
January 19, 2024
The Ultimate Guide To Solving CVT Transm...
Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) have revolutionized the automotive industry
Read More
January 12, 2024
Preventing Vehicle Breakdown: Identifyin...
In the realm of automotive care, the transmission is a vital yet often overlooked
Read More
January 5, 2024
Diagnosing Transmission Problems: A Comp...
In the intricate world of automotive care, the transmission system emerges as a vital
Read More
December 29, 2023
Keeping Business On Track: The Top Reaso...
In today's fast-paced business environment, fleet operations are the backbone of many
Read More
December 22, 2023