If you are a new driver, you may be wondering just what is transmission fluid? The purpose of transmission fluid is to lubricate all the surfaces and components of the transmission, preventing excessive friction and overheating. It is a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. It has been said that transmission fluid could remain in your vehicle for its entire lifespan without changing it, although some mechanics will advise to change it about every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions.
It’s a good idea to check the level of transmission fluid every few months as overtime, transmissions can develop leaks due to worn out or damaged components, and the level of fluid can become dangerously low. If you’re wondering how do you know when you need transmission fluid, here are a few signs to watch for:
- Delayed Shifting. The low fluid causes low pressure so that gear changes are not activated immediately.
- Difficulty Shifting. If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/downshifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, or a grinding sound coming from the transmission.
- Slipping gears. You may change gear, but then it seems to fall back out of that gear. The clutches and transmission bands are no longer able to securely engage a gear.
- Transmission Overheats. In an automatic, the transmission fluid keeps the transmission unit from overheating. If you notice a burning smell, smokiness, and loss of power, pull over immediately and let everything cool down. Temperatures over 240°F will cause damage inside the transmission unit.
If you’re experiencing any of the above problems because of low transmission fluid, the first thing to do is to top-off the transmission fluid. If any of the above problems still persist, it’s likely that you will be facing a costly transmission repair.
So how do you know when you need transmission fluid? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Phil’s Service today for more information about transmission repair services and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Killeen, TX, and the surrounding area.
If you are a new driver, you may be wondering just what is transmission fluid? The purpose of transmission fluid is to lubricate all the surfaces and components of the transmission, preventing excessive friction and overheating. It is a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. It has been said that transmission fluid could remain in your vehicle for its entire lifespan without changing it, although some mechanics will advise to change it about every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions.
It’s a good idea to check the level of transmission fluid every few months as overtime, transmissions can develop leaks due to worn out or damaged components, and the level of fluid can become dangerously low. If you’re wondering how do you know when you need transmission fluid, here are a few signs to watch for:
- Delayed Shifting. The low fluid causes low pressure so that gear changes are not activated immediately.
- Difficulty Shifting. If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/downshifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, or a grinding sound coming from the transmission.
- Slipping gears. You may change gear, but then it seems to fall back out of that gear. The clutches and transmission bands are no longer able to securely engage a gear.
- Transmission Overheats. In an automatic, the transmission fluid keeps the transmission unit from overheating. If you notice a burning smell, smokiness, and loss of power, pull over immediately and let everything cool down. Temperatures over 240°F will cause damage inside the transmission unit.
If you’re experiencing any of the above problems because of low transmission fluid, the first thing to do is to top-off the transmission fluid. If any of the above problems still persist, it’s likely that you will be facing a costly transmission repair.
So how do you know when you need transmission fluid? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Phil’s Service today for more information about transmission repair services and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Killeen, TX, and the surrounding area.
