When Should I Change the Transmission Fluid on My Car?

The majority of car owners are unaware of the manufacturer's recommended transmission fluid replacement period. Some of them have had transmission issues in their cars as a result of their ignorance and have spent money unnecessarily to rectify the problem.

As a result, many car owners have asked, "Should I change gearbox fluid after 100K miles?" Others inquire, "How long does transmission fluid last?" The frequency at which transmission fluid should be changed varies by vehicle make and model, with some vehicles requiring a shorter time than others, especially when comparing manual and automatic transmissions.

If you're unsure about how often you should change your car's transmission fluid, take a moment to read this report for more information. If still in doubt, search online for car service in Reading and schedule an appointment with a car mechanic who will be able to advise you further.

Changing your car's transmission fluid at the recommended intervals is critical to the vehicle's survival. As a result, if you're debating whether or not to change your car's gearbox fluid after 100k miles, 100k miles is sufficient.

The intervals between transmission changes in vehicles range from 30,000 to 50,000 miles, 100,000 to 150,000 miles, and so on. Many modern vehicles can travel over 100,000 miles before requiring transmission fluid replacement.

You should browse for car garages in Reading and schedule an appointment with a service specialist to find out the interval your vehicle's manufacturer advises in the manual and follow the prescription faithfully. The car and its components were designed by the manufacturer, so they know what works best for their product.

According to some experts, driving your vehicle for up to 100k miles before changing the gearbox fluid is not a good idea. After about 50k miles, they recommend changing the transmission fluid.

Because most modern vehicles can go up to 100,000 miles before needing to change their transmission fluid, you should try to figure out the interval specific to your car's make and model, and then stick to it.

You may have a transmission problem if your automobile shifts jerkily. This and other symptoms may persist until you have a failing transmission, which would necessitate spending a significant amount of money to get your automobile back on the road. The expense of a transmission fluid replacement is low when compared to the cost of repairing a broken transmission; yet you must exercise caution. This is the reason why we recommend looking for garages in Reading online and schedule an appointment with a car mechanic to carry out a gearbox service as per the manufactures schedule.

Allowing your car's transmission fluid to sit for an extended period of time will change the colour of the fluid. Its original hue should be brilliant pink; but, as you start driving, it gradually fades from bright pink to brown with a hint of pink.

When the fluid turns from bright pink to brown with a hint of pink, it's time to get your car's transmission serviced. If you leave the fluid in your car for an extended period of time, it will turn quite dark; in this scenario, the dirt in the fluid will eventually impact the transmission system and lead it to fail.

The most common cause of CVT problems is clogged transmission fluid, which has become extremely unclean due to debris and particles in the transmission system. For automatic transmission vehicles, 100k miles is a long time. Regardless of whether or not your transmission fluid has to be changed, do not drive your car with dirty transmission fluid.

If your car is already showing signs of transmission failure, changing the transmission fluid will help you avoid more issues. In reality, if you want your vehicle to last a long time and be passed down to your children, you should replace the transmission according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Meanwhile, remember that having too much transmission fluid can be a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Is it a bad idea to change transmission fluid when the vehicle has a lot of miles on it?

Changing transmission fluid is, of course, dangerous if you have a high-mileage vehicle. Although it is critical to change your car's transmission fluid on a regular basis, if your vehicle has a high mileage and is still operating on factory transmission oil, it is preferable to leave it alone.

If you change transmission fluid on a car with a high mileage, you risk sudden transmission failure; therefore, you should strive to minimise this problem as much as possible to avoid any additional financial load.

Should I change the transmission fluid if it hasn't been changed in a long time?

It is debatable. You don't have to change the transmission fluid just because it hasn't been changed before. It would be beneficial if you changed it because you needed to; otherwise, you may be wasting money.

So, if you're thinking, "Can changing the transmission fluid damage the transmission?" It goes without saying that poor transmission fluid can harm your vehicle's transmission. As a result, when replacing the transmission fluid in your car, you must use the suggested fluid.

Observe the colour of your vehicle's transmission fluid to determine when it needs to be replaced. The fluid is still fresh if it is bright pink; however, if it is light brown with a hint of pink, it needs to be replaced.

The colour of your car's transmission fluid, on the other hand, will be excessively black if it hasn't changed in a long time. You must replace it as quickly as possible in this instance, or you risk a transmission breakdown.

When is it necessary to change transmission fluid?

The transmission replacement schedule is usually specified in the vehicle manual; some manufacturers recommend changing the transmission fluid every 100,000 miles, while others propose 150,000 miles.

Many expert mechanics, however, believe that the manufacturers' transmission fluid change guidelines are a little too long. They recommend changing your car's gearbox fluid after 50,000 miles.

In any case, you should not change your vehicle's transmission fluid until it has travelled at least 50,000 miles, as recommended by qualified mechanics and your vehicle manufacturer. Also, make an effort to check the transmission fluid level on a regular basis.

Why should your transmission fluid never be flushed?

Supporters of transmission fluid change vs. flush debate which option is best for your vehicle's transmission. Transmission flush proponents frequently suggest that flushing your transmission is better since it allows you to replenish more transmission fluid.

Although it is true that emptying your transmission fluid (as recommended by the manufacturer/expert) only removes roughly 70% of the fluid, draining is still the best option.

Flushing your transmission fluid may not cause transmission failure, but the pressure from the flushing may hasten transmission failure because metal particles are pushed through the transmission system. It could also lead to leaking old seals, which is not a pleasant experience.

What happens if the transmission fluid isn't changed?

According to experts, failing to change your car's transmission fluid on a regular basis puts you at risk. If you don't change your car's transmission fluid, the old fluid, which is now unclean (extremely dark), can't efficiently serve as a lubricant, and hence can't dissipate heat.

Wear and tear on your vehicle's clutches and other critical transmission system components will result from this incapacitation. You could possibly have a faulty transmission filter, resulting in transmission failure, which is quite dangerous.

Meanwhile, if you're wondering whether replacing transmission fluid improves performance, the answer is yes. Changing the fluid will undoubtedly improve the gearbox and overall performance of your car.

After 100K miles, should I change the CVT transmission fluid?

Of course, you should change the gearbox fluid in your vehicle every 100k miles or so. The gearbox fluid in most modern vehicles is now changed after 100k miles. Expert mechanics, on the other hand, recommend that you change your car's transmission fluid after 50k miles for optimum CVT transmission maintenance.

In any case, do not change your vehicle's transmission fluid too soon or too late if you must take any options. Also, avoid having a low transmission fluid level because it can interfere with the transmission system's proper operation.

It's best to stick to the recommended interval between 50,000 miles and the interval recommended by the manufacturer of your car.