What You Should Know About Your Car’s Transmission

Taking care of your vehicle’s gearbox is essential for its long-term health. However, car owners often misunderstand or overlook the basic maintenance required to keep a transmission functioning properly. In this blog post, you’ll find out everything you need to know about maintaining the gearbox:

Is it necessary to change the transmission fluid?

While service intervals for new cars can reach 100,000 miles before this is required, the short answer is: yes. Timely fluid changes are important to maintain a vehicle for a lengthy period – or for anybody who has purchased a used high mileage car.

The cost and time involved vary depending on the vehicle. Whatever the price may be, it’s a necessary job. Replacing the fluid will cost less than replacing a gearbox that has been neglected due to a lack of servicing. Failure to maintain your car’s transmission properly might leave you stranded and with a hefty repair bill.

How frequently should transmission fluid be changed?

You should become familiar with your vehicle manufacturer’s suggested service intervals. It can range anywhere between 30,000 miles to 100,000 miles for some trucks and cars. Some new automobiles, particularly those with automatic transmissions, have sealed gearboxes with fluid designed to last the vehicle’s lifetime.

Most continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) need fluid inspections or changes. We recommend that you check the owner’s handbook for precise information on this.

Are transmission fluid flushes important?

First of all, it’s important to grasp the role transmission fluid plays in the operation of a vehicle. Transmission fluid aids in the cooling and lubricating mechanical components, whether the gearbox is manual or automatic.

The interior components of the transmission deteriorate with time, contaminating the fluid with tiny particles and potentially causing damage. Isn’t it logical to get rid of this dirty fluid? Let your mechanic flush the transmission fluid if specified in the service manual.

Do manual transmissions need fluid as well?

Yes. However, the type of fluid varies from vehicle to vehicle. Some manuals use standard engine oil, while others work well with automatic transmission fluid. Be sure you’re using the correct fluid for your vehicle otherwise, it can have a significant impact on its performance and the gearbox’s lifetime.

CVT car owners will also want to pay close attention to their vehicle’s needs. Unlike a standard automatic transmission, which has a fixed number of gears, a CVT uses a pulley or belt system to operate an endless number of gear ratios. If you don’t use a CVT-specific fluid, you risk major hassles (and repair expenditures) down the line.

Is changing the transmission fluid a simple do-it-yourself job?

For the ordinary car owner, it can be a messy and complicated task. Many modern vehicles feature gearboxes that are either completely sealed or require a dealer’s service computer to read parameters like temperature, making them difficult to work on for the average DIYer.

Want to stay up-to-date with your transmission maintenance? At Cutter CDJR, we provide high-quality transmission services and more in Honolulu, HI.

Schedule a service today!

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