Why Should You Change the Transmission Fluid?
If you want maximum longevity of your transmission, then you need to change your transmission fluid frequently. Reusing the old fluid for a long time is not good for your car or its system, as it does not serve as an effective lubricant and disperse heat well. This can lead to unaware damage that may affect your car in the long run.
Depending on the make and model of the car, the age and how well it’s maintained, you can change the transmission fluid without overdoing it. You can get all this information from your car’s manual, or you can simply ask your mechanic about the frequency with which you should change the transmission fluid.
If you are someone who knows about cars and how to work with them, you can also lift the hood and check if it’s time to change the fluid. Simply take a clean white or light-coloured cloth, take out the dipstick and wipe it.
- If the colour of the fluid is bright pink, it means the fluid is new and does not require any changes.
- If it’s light brown or even black, then it means you need to change your transmission fluid.
- In case you notice any metal particles in it after wiping, it means your transmission is damaged and needs a mechanic to fix it. This usually happens when you have not changed the transmission for a long time.
Sometimes, you will simply need to refill your transmission fluid. To check this, behind the oil dipstick, you can find markings of transmission fluid. If it’s below the desired level, you can add more or change it if necessary.
How Do You Know If You Need a Transmission Flush?
Before discussing whether you need a transmission flush or not, let’s get into the basic difference between draining your transmission fluid and flushing it. Draining the fluid usually happens when you are changing the transmission and it is done by opening the drain located under the car. Around 40-50% of the fluid drains out and the rest remains in the other parts of the transmission.
On the other hand, flushing removes all the fluid in the transmission. To flush out the transmission fluid, you need to put a transmission hose into the line that runs the transmission. Once you push in the new transmission fluid through this hose, the old fluid is flushed out completely and replaced by the new one.
Flushing the transmission fluid is only recommended if the transmission is in good condition and without damage. Flushing the old transmission fluid while the transmission is damaged can cause problems with the valve, resulting in expensive services. That’s why changing the transmission fluid frequently is necessary to keep the car system in good condition.
At Gunceler Motors, we can help you with all your transmission needs, whether it concerns automatic transmission fluid or manual transmission fluid. Get in touch with us today to learn more. You’d be glad to know we serve across Melbourne.
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