When is the last time you had a transmission flush? Have you ever had a transmission flush? If cars aren’t your thing, you might be a little lost about maintenance other than regular oil changes and tire rotations.
A transmission flush is something that you should do regularly (we’ll cover how often below) as transmission fluid serves as both an oil and a hydraulic, helping your transmission work effectively. You really want your transmission to work properly, as a new one can cost thousands of dollars.
Read on to learn more about the importance of a transmission flush and how often to do it.
What Does Transmission Fluid Do?
There are a lot of fluids in your car. Gas, oil, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid, just to name a few. Transmission fluid is arguably one of the most important.
It’s a type of oil that works to cool and lubricate the gears of your transmission. It deteriorates over time, so if it isn’t replaced regularly, your transmission may overheat and fail.
If you drive your car hard—stop-and-go city traffic, towing a boat or other large items on trailers, or hauling heavy loads, your transmission fluid will deteriorate faster. Being tough on your car means that the transmission temperature increases, putting a strain on the transmission and its fluid.
The more miles you drive, the heat of your transmission will break down the fluid, causing it to discolor and burn. If it gets to the point of burning, you run the risk of transmission damage or failure.
A few hundred dollars on a transmission flush could save you thousands on repairing your transmission.
What Is a Transmission Flush?
A transmission flush replaces the old transmission fluid with new fluids and also cleans the transmission. Using special equipment, the old fluid is flushed out and new, clean fluid is pumped in. The fluid may also include cleaning agents.
There is some debate about whether a full flush or a drain and replacement of fluid is preferable. A full flush removes contaminants and any dirt or debris that builds up in your transmission over time.
Just draining the fluid does not do this and it also can’t get all of the fluid out. Draining leaves some of the old fluid in the transmission, while flushing gets rid of it all. Recommendations from Ford include a full flush rather than just a drain and replace.
Signs You Need a Transmission Flush
If you find that your car is slipping out of gear, it may be time for a transmission flush. If you are driving at a high rate of speed, such as on the highway, and feel the car lurch, this could mean it is slipping out of gear.
If you find that shifting gears is rough, slow, or delayed, your transmission fluid could be low. If you try to shift into reverse or drive and you find that your gears are sticking, that’s another indication that it’s time for a transmission flush.
You can also check your Ford’s transmission fluid by checking the levels with the dipstick. There is a transmission fluid dipstick (often marked ATF) where you can check to see if the fluid is at the proper level.
If that’s not something you feel comfortable with, you can also do a quick visual where you park your car for any dark red or brown stains. These stains could be caused by leaking transmission fluid. Always check your owner’s manual to determine how to check the transmission fluid properly and safely.
How Often Do I Need a Transmission Flush?
Checking the transmission fluid regularly is important, especially if you notice your car slipping out of gear or difficulty shifting gears. However, just because you don’t have any issues with your gears doesn’t mean you should ignore the transmission fluid.
Your owner’s manual should tell you how often it should be flushed, but a good rule of thumb is every two years or 30,000 miles. If you are particularly hard on your car, like we described above, and pull heavy loads or drive in stop-and-go traffic often, you might need it sooner.
There are also some cars that have sealed transmissions and the fluid is meant to last the life of the car. Again, check your owner’s manual to learn more about what your particular vehicle requires.
It’s a good idea to have your fluids checked and topped off if you’re not sure about their levels, especially if you’re heading out on a road trip or hit high mileage on your car. Having the fluids checked and topped off is usually a quick trip to the dealership, but if you need a full flush, it might take half a day or more, so plan accordingly.
When Was Your Last Transmission Flush?
If you’ve had your car for a while and know that you’ve never had a transmission flush, it’s time to take a look under the hood or ask your mechanic to put it on a lift to check the transmission fluid.
Spending a few hundred dollars on a flush is much easier on your wallet than spending thousands replacing your transmission. In some cases, replacing the transmission may cost more than the car is even worth. Preventative maintenance can extend the life of your car and reduce your expenses over time.
If you know you need your transmission flushed, or you just want a professional mechanic to check it out, get in touch with us today. We offer a convenient online scheduling tool and offer a full range of services for your vehicle.
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