Transmission Fluid: What You Need to Know

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a liquid that has self-shifting / automatic transmissions that can be used in vehicles. It is mainly colored in green or red to aid identification from car oil and other vital fluids in a vehicle.

The fluid is utilized for the particular requirements of a transmission, such as a brake friction, valve operation, as well as lubrication of the gear.

Modern auto transmission fluids categorically contain a wide variety of compounds chemically intended to provide certain required properties of a particular transmission fluid specification.

Some fluids contain some combination of additives that can help improve lubrication such as rust and corrosion inhibitors, anti-wear additives, detergents, surfactants and dispersants (that clean and protect metal surfaces).

Almost all auto transmission fluids contain friction modifiers. Application of incorrect transmission fluid will lead to transmission malfunction or severe damage.

Transmission fluid ensures that all parts of your automatic transmission are functioning smoothly together. And Like most other liquids, it deteriorates with time. Robust and frequent use will speed up the deterioration.

That kind of driving raises the operating temperature, and severe heat adds a lot of strain on the transmission as well as the fluid. This aids in the facilitation of the gear shifts and also cools the temperature of the transmission and lubricates other functioning parts.

How to know if your transmission fluid/filter is bad?

Auto transmission fluids grow darker in color as it ages. If it changes its color to brown or close to black it indicates the need to be replaced Debris and dirt inside the fluid, and also a burnt smell are also considered signs.

So many transmissions have filters which must be cleaned and replaced in an alternate way and usually, that requires removing the fluid pan, it needs to be checked whenever the fluid gets returned.

The clogged filter will stop as much fluid from pumping to Important parts and in the process can cause a massive gear slippage, high pitched sound when accelerating or slow shifting.

How frequent should You replace Your transmission fluid/oil filter, and

Why Should You Replace it?

The maintenance manual in the owner’s manual usually recommends intervals from vehicle producers are all on the board, and it could be as early as 40k to as long as 150k miles.

So many people say it doesn’t ever need to be changed, although various mechanics have advised that it should always be done at least in every 50,000 miles that are to ensure safety.

With engine oil, it easy to change transmission fluid more frequently than recommended, but you will end up paying extra for little benefit.

If your transmission has a filter, then it needs to be changed each time as the fluid is checked (or cleaned for those that can be modified).

Transmission fluids always deteriorate within a space of time, most especially from continuous usage.

Over the years and through so many miles, the ability to initiate gearshifts is lost by the fluid, and the capability to Cool off the transmission and also lubricate other moving parts. It picks up debris/dirt that can cause damage to other internal parts.

They usually come with filters to catch the debris, and the filters can clog and also prevent so much fluid from being pumped to other critical areas of the transmission, which can cause, high-pitched whine, slow shifting or gear slippage during acceleration.

Source: Auto Repair in Lincoln Park Michigan