Is this a question that has come to your mind recently? Unfortunately, unless a driver is experiencing problems with shifting, the idea of changing transmission fluid does not often come up. It is generally “out of sight, out of mind.”
When should transmission fluid be changed?
Automatic transmissions: A fluid change for automatics can vary from every 30,000 miles to possibly never. The transmission fluid is a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. Because more heat is generated in automatics it also acts as a coolant. It will deteriorate over time as it becomes contaminated with worn bits of the transmission.
Manual transmissions: Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a transmission fluid change between every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The fluid becomes contaminated over time as the synchronizers, bearings, and gears in the transmission wear out, resulting in metal particles floating around. If these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission as dirty fluid does not lubricate as well as clean fluid.