How often should I change my transmission fluid (manual and automatic)
Transmission fluid doesn’t need to be changed as often as engine oil. Both are lubricants, but transmission fluid lasts tens of thousands of miles before it needs changing. The question is, exactly how many miles do you need to drive before you need to change your transmission fluid?
The answer depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Each vehicle manufacturer usually has its own requirements for when it’s best to change your transmission fluid. You can easily find out how many miles your car can drive by checking your owner’s manual.
However, there is a general range of miles you can drive before you need to change your transmission fluid, which we’ll discuss below. Oil changes in automatic transmission cars don’t need to be done as often as manual transmission cars.
No matter what type of transmission you have, you should always strive to buy high-quality transmission fluid, as it will literally extend the life of your transmission for as long as possible. Since you won’t be changing your oil as often, it’s worth investing in high-quality oil, even if it’s a little more expensive. How often should I change my automatic transmission fluid?
Manufacturers of vehicles with automatic transmissions usually recommend changing the transmission fluid at least every 150,000 miles, and preferably every 100,000 miles.
However, your local auto mechanic or mechanic will tell you that 100,000 miles is still too long. He will try to convince you to change your automatic transmission fluid every 40,000 to 60,000 miles instead.
As with engine oil, the best time to change your transmission fluid can be estimated based on your usual driving style. For example, if you regularly drive an automatic transmission car in city streets with a lot of stop-and-go traffic, the transmission will generate more heat. As a result, the transmission fluid will deteriorate faster.
How often should I change the oil in my manual transmission?
Oil in a manual transmission has a shorter lifespan. A typical manual car manufacturer will tell you to change the oil after about 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Of course, different makes and models will have different recommendations, but within this mileage range there are recommendations.
Stop-and-go driving, weekend autocross driving, track use, or just plain “spirited” driving can put a lot of strain on a manual transmission. This can mean you should change the fluid every 15,000 miles instead. It’s not common to need to change the fluid this sooner unless your specific driving habits require it.
The problem with driving short distances with a manual transmission is that you have to change gears so often. Every time you change gears, it puts a lot of strain on the transmission. When exposed to this stress, the fluid deteriorates more quickly.
Check the Fluid
Make sure the engine is running when you check your transmission fluid before changing it. If you notice that your transmission fluid level is lower than it should be, the first thing you should do is make sure there are no leaks in the system. If you notice this, immediately top off your transmission fluid with a generous amount of new oil.
Healthy gear oil will be red in color and have no strange odor.