Are you having problems with your vehicle’s transmission? When was the last time the gearbox was serviced? If you’re like most people, it’s probably been a while. For some reason, transmission or gearbox maintenance is neglected by most people until a repair is needed. If your vehicle is exhibiting problems with shifting or engagements, a service or fluid flush is not the answer. What is a Transmission Service? A service is when the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and filter is changed. Most transmissions have a serviceable filter, but some cars like Honda, don’t have a filter that is accessible for maintenance. In the case of vehicles that do not have an accessible filter, a simple “drain and fill” is all that is required for proper servicing. This is a preventative maintenance that ensures proper function by keeping the ATF fresh. Some vehicle manufacturers list service intervals at every 30,000 miles, some every 100,000 miles, and there are some manufacturers that claim their transmissions will never need servicing. I find these high mileage service intervals are risky. The high pressures and temperatures that ATF is exposed to during normal operation will break down the fluid’s conditioning and lubricating properties, and can lead to premature mechanical failures. To be safe, a transmission should be serviced once a year for gearboxes that use non synthetic ATF and once every two years for vehicles that use synthetic automatic transmission fluid. This is a rule that applies to all vehicles. If you’re not sure what type of ATF your vehicle uses, consult your owners manual or qualified mechanic. What is a Transmission Flush? A flush is when a technician hooks a machine to the transmission’s cooler lines and replaces all of the fluid with new ATF. Is this better than a regular service? My 17+ years of experience, along with several vehicle manufacturers, and respected technicians say no. The argument for a flush verses a regular services is, when performing a regular service on an automatic transmission, only one third of the fluid is actually replaced whereas a flush replaces 100% of the ATF. Sure, changing 100% of the fluid sounds better than replacing only a third, but the fact is automatic transmissions don’t need 100% of the fluid changed. Transmissions are sealed units; they don’t Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
