WHY DO I NEED TRANSMISSION FLUID?

There are many fluids your vehicle needs to operate properly. Transmission fluid is one of the most important. The job of transmission fluid is to lubricate and cool down your transmission. Transmission fluid protects the gears of your transmission and protects them from grinding.

Transmission failure is one of the most devastating issues that can plague your vehicle. When it comes to transmission fluid, it’s all about preventative maintenance. By the time you realize your fluid has gone bad, it’s usually too late. Over time debris will build up and make it hard for the fluid to do its job. Frequent stop and go driving and towing heavy loads make the debris break down and at an even faster rate.

Transmission fluid is usually red but may be green or other distinguishing colors to be easily visible. Automatic and manual cars use different types of transmission fluids. Automatic transmission fluid is always used on automatic cars and is used for some modern manual vehicles. Manual transmission fluid is never used in any automatic cars and if you drive a manual car it’s even more important to check the specifications of your vehicle.

You can drive a long time without noticing you need new transmission fluid. In that way, transmission fluid can be a silent killer. There are a few ways to identify if you have an issue. When getting fluids checked if the color is brown or transforming to a dark color then that’s a good indication it may be time for a flush. A leak under the car, a delay or issue shifting, and even a tart-burning odor are all signs that you should get your fluids examined.

Depending on what vehicle you own you may have to change your transmission fluid anywhere from every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The type of car you drive and the way you drive it can alter the maintenance schedule, so as always consult with a trusted mechanic to ensure your fluid is as fresh as possible!