How often should you get your transmission fluid change

Changing the transmission fluid used to be a staple of routine maintenance schedules, usually every 50,000 miles.

These days, though, the transmissions in many vehicles are filled with fluid that may need to be changed only every 150,000 miles – or never, according to some automakers. And most newer transmissions are sealed: They don’t have a transmission fluid dipstick that allows owners to easily check the fluid condition or level.

Out of sight means out of mind, and that may mean vehicle owners don’t realize that changing the transmission fluid is something that should be done periodically.

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What Is Transmission Fluid?

Transmission fluid lubricates and cools the transmission, whether you have a manual transmission or an automatic. If you have an automatic transmission (as most people do), transmission fluid also helps provide hydraulic pressure, which helps the transmission change gears.

How Often Should You Change Transmission Fluid?

It varies by automaker (and among different vehicles from the same manufacturer) and how the car has been driven.

If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, frequently haul heavy loads or tow a trailer – all of which generate more heat and stress on the transmission – you should change the fluid more often than you would if you mainly do light-duty suburban or highway driving.

Manufacturers typically describe these high-stress conditions as “severe” driving:

• GM often recommends changing the fluid every 45,000 miles under “severe” conditions. For “normal” driving, though, there is no mention of changing the fluid.
• Toyota says to change the fluid every 60,000 miles for severe use; otherwise, it’s not necessary.
• Honda recommends on its continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVT) to follow the Maintenance Minder on its vehicles, which monitors time and mileage and alerts the driver when service is needed. But if you do a lot of mountain driving or towing, Honda recommends changing the fluid every 25,000 miles.
• Ford’s recommended interval for “normal” driving is 150,000 miles.
• BMW says to change the fluid every 60,000 miles.
• Mercedes-Benz says every 40,000.

As you can see, recommended transmission fluid change intervals are all over the board. Information about the frequency of transmission fluid changes should be in your owner’s manual, in the maintenance schedule.

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What Does a Transmission Fluid Change Cost?

The cost to change the transmission fluid will vary based on the vehicle, whether it is a drain or a flush, and whether the transmission requires a new filter.

Some shops advertise fluid changes for less than $100, but if you have a BMW, Mercedes, or other luxury vehicle, the cost can be in the $300 to $400 range or higher.

Why You Might Need Fresh Transmission Fluid

As the fluid ages, it’s likely to deteriorate and lose its lubricating and cooling capabilities. In addition, it can collect tiny metal shavings from moving parts and gunk that has built up inside the transmission; those could affect shift quality.

If your transmission is shifting sluggishly or slipping out of gears, those are signs that it could need fresh fluid, although they also could be signs of mechanical problems. Fresh transmission fluid isn’t a miracle cure for technical issues, but it can improve shift quality and increase the transmission’s odds for a long, productive life.

As reassuring as it sounds that the transmission fluid is good for 150,000 miles or the life of a vehicle, many mechanics say that’s too risky and that the fluid should be changed more often. Repair shops often make similar recommendations concerning “lifetime” engine coolant.

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How Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

The appearance of transmission fluid can say a lot about its condition, but many contemporary vehicles don’t have transmission dipsticks, so checking the fluid requires opening a drain plug – that’s a job that is better left to a qualified technician.

What Does Transmission Fluid Look Like?

Transmission fluid usually is red or pink but can come in other colors. As it deteriorates, it tends to turn darker.

If it is brown or black or has a burned odor, it should be changed. Those also could be signs of mechanical problems, so fresh fluid might not fix what’s ailing a transmission.

Do You Really Need Fresh Transmission Fluid Now?

Just because the fluid in your transmission is darker than fresh fluid doesn’t mean it’s bad, so beware of the dreaded Fluid Flush Frenzy, where a repair shop recommends changing all your vehicle’s vital fluids now to avert certain financial disaster.

Another scare tactic is to tell every customer who lives in or near a major urban area that they do “severe” driving and need to change the trans fluid frequently.

Before agreeing to fresh fluid, assess the type of driving you do and check the owner’s manual for recommendations on mileage and driving conditions. There’s no harm in changing the fluid more often than is necessary, and too often is better than never, but there’s no sense in wasting money.

On the other hand, spending a few hundred dollars on a transmission fluid flush every few years could save thousands compared to paying for a rebuilt or new transmission.

Transmission Fluid Flush or Drain?

If you decide to get fresh fluid, you should check whether the manufacturer recommends a fluid flush – pushing out all of the old fluid by pumping in fresh fluid – or whether the fluid should be drained and then refilled. Draining usually doesn’t collect all the old fluid, and sometimes gets less than half, but some manufacturers don’t recommend flushing certain transmissions.

In addition, check whether the transmission has filters that should be cleaned or replaced.

It also pays to ask the repair facility what type of fluid they plan to put into your transmission and whether it meets the manufacturer’s requirements. There are many different types of fluids, but only one is the correct fluid for your transmission. That also should be detailed in the owner’s manual.

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