The Best Transmission Advice You Probably Aren’t Taking

Does your car have an automatic transmission? When was the last time you changed the fluid? When was the last time you had the transmission flushed? Chances are that you are scratching your head trying to remember. Or, perhaps you are thinking, “That’s just some mechanics way to make money off you. Transmission fluid gets added, but it doesn’t need to be changed.”

That last line is an oft-repeated fallacy that can end up costing you big time in a transmission overhaul or replacement costs! No, we are not just saying that to “make money off you.”

The Basics about Automatic Transmission Fluid

There are many different fluids that run through your car, one of them is automatic transmission fluid. The transmission is what sends power to the wheels so you can drive the car at whatever speed you want to. If you maintain the transmission properly, your vehicle can run trouble-free for decades.

The engine in your car uses motor oil for lubrication and cooling. The transmission in your vehicle uses transmission fluid for the same thing. Maintaining your automatic transmission is fairly simple, just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for changing the fluid or flushing the fluid.

Why Does Maintenance Matter So Much?

Changing or flushing the fluid can prevent your transmission from overheating. It can even improve the shifting abilities and fuel efficiency of the motor.

What Happens When the Automatic Transmission Fluid is Changed?

An automatic transmission fluid change is similar to a motor oil change. The transmission pan is dropped to allow the removal of dirty fluid. Any metal shavings are removed from the bottom of the pan.

If your vehicle has a screen, it will be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. If it has a filter, the filter will be replaced. The pan will be reinstalled with a new gasket and fresh fluid is added.

However, unlike your engine oil, removing the pan does NOT remove all the dirty, worn-out transmission fluid. The oil cooler lines and the torque converter still hold about half of the dirty, old transmission fluid.

What Exactly Does a Transmission Flush Do?

A flush does what the name implies. All the old, dirty fluid is removed from the transmission, including the cooler lines and the torque converter. This will ensure that all metal shavings are removed, and fresh, clean transmission fluid will fill your transmission once more.

This process allows your transmission to run at a lower temperature while providing maximum protection to the internal parts.

A flush cleans out and removes all the sludge that can stick to vital parts of the transmission, like the valve body. A flush uses a machine to do all these things. So, don’t expect to see your mechanic under your car with a toothbrush and a box of Tide!

I Can’t Even Find the Dipstick for the Transmission!

If you have been trying to check your transmission fluid levels and you can’t find a dipstick, that might be perfectly normal for your vehicle. Some models use a sealed transmission. If this is true for your vehicle, then you don’t need to worry about changing or flushing or adding fluid. Be certain you aren’t simply overlooking the dipstick! Check with your owner’s manual or stop by Hong Kong Auto Service and we will be happy to check for the dipstick or tell you if your vehicle has a sealed transmission.

Will a Transmission Flushed Fix My Problems?

It could, but that would depend on the problem. If the transmission is slipping and you perform the flush at the first sign of trouble, the flush can sometimes help the discs inside the transmission to bond to one another and prevent slipping.

However, if your car is making grinding sounds, shifting erratically, clunking when you shift, or you can feel the transmission “slide” into gear, chances are that your transmission has already sustained damage and a flush might only make things worse.

Some people feel that a transmission flush will solve all their problems, but to be honest, it probably won’t. This is especially true if your car has more than 100,000 miles and you’ve never changed the fluid or had a flush before. Speak to a trusted mechanic and discuss the possible problems a flush might cause and whether you should even consider one.

Remember that a transmission fluid change or a flush is designed to be a part of maintenance. It is NOT a repair, so don’t expect miracles.

Automatic Transmission Trouble and What to Do

Believe it or not, sometimes what appears to be a problem with the transmission might be related to another part. This is especially true if you have a newer model vehicle.

Many computerized sensors and components operate everything on today’s modern cars, some of which control when and how your transmission operates.

Failing or dirty O2 sensors or MAF sensors can cause your vehicle to shift slowly. Even something as simple as a broken motor mount or transmission mount can cause a terrible clunking noise when shifting, even when there is nothing wrong with the transmission.

If you still have questions regarding your vehicle’s transmission, if you aren’t sure whether the transmission is working properly, or when you are ready to perform a flush or fluid change, the helpful staff at Hong Kong Auto Service are always here to help you. We have ASE certified mechanics who can run the appropriate tests and determine if your vehicle really does have a transmission problem.