Transmission Maintenance Routines and Questions

Automatic transmissions need proper maintenance. Without it, they will never last long and will always cause a lot of minor issues. Usually, the maintenance of an auto gearbox for an average driver is to take it in for fluid change once every 60-90 thousand miles. But there is so much more behind it!

In this article, I want to recap all the good things that were said in this blog about transmission maintenance routines. I mean checking fluid levels, ensuring the transmission works well, changing fluid, inspecting the gearbox in your car, and ensuring every day that it's in normal condition.

Fluid level check in transmissions

Ensuring the fluid level is normal is super important to preserve your automatic (or manual) transmission in good condition. While some gearbox models may have the dipstick for checking the fluids, other ones don't have it. So, to check the fluid level in some transmissions, you may need to go to the dealership.

Also, in some models, you may find a fluid cap and you can buy a separate dipstick to insert in that cap and check the levels. Pay attention to that cap - losing it may lead to bad consequences.

Also, it's important to know when exactly you need to measure the transmission fluid level. The manual for your vehicle will tell you this. Because the fluid level may be lower when cold and higher when warm due to fluid expansion. Read the driver's manual to see what the manufacturer says about the check.

Fluid level check highlights:

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:Once every 6 months
• Needed expertise:Basic
• Needed tools:None
• Time taken:5-10 minutes
• Possible issues:Transmission failure, problems with torque converter, jerking, overheating, slipping.

Fluid change in transmissions

When it comes to regular maintenance, the most important thing you need to do to your transmission is fluid change. The fluid is an important component of an automatic transmission that ensures lubrication, cooling, and also work of all hydraulic parts and units.

Fluid change is not a DIY task. There are numerous common issues people need to check before finalizing the process. And they make a lot of mistakes. Also, topping off transmission fluid is a hard task that shouldn't be carried out without any experience.

It's extremely important to look in the manual for your car and make sure you use the proper fluid and filters. If you use the wrong type of fluid, there is a big chance your gearbox will not last even a year.

Another important question is whether you need to change the filter in your transmission. Obviously, yes. At least, once every other fluid change. Without this, your transmission fluid won't be cleaned properly and the old dirt will disturb the gearbox from work.

Also, remember that in automatic transmission you can't change all fluid - just about 60% of it. So, it's a good idea to reduce the time intervals from what your manufacturer says.

Fluid change in transmissions highlights:

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:Once every 60,000 miles or 10 years (if other not stated by the manufacturer)
• Needed expertise:High
• Needed tools:Basic set of car maintenance tools, plus car lift
• Time taken:2-4 hours
• Possible issues:Fatal failure of your transmission, jerking, harsh work, vibrations, limp mode, no shifting.

Transmission fluid additives

I strongly recommend against using transmission additives at all. They may be harmful to your gearbox and may kill it pretty fast. If you decide to use them, be careful and ask your mechanic for advice.

The additives change the properties of the fluid and this may make the fluid inappropriate for this transmission. If this is the case, the unit may fatally fail after several hundred miles of driving with an additive inside it.

Transmission fluid additives highlights:

• Level of importance:Low
• Time interval:no intervals
• Needed expertise:basic
• Needed tools:Basic set of car maintenance tools
• Time taken:0.5-1 hours
• Possible issues:Change of fluid properties, fatal transmission failure, limp mode, extensive transmission wear.

Transmission DIY repair

I don't support DIY repairs of automatic transmissions. For repairing this unit, you need to have a proper garage with a car lift and good tools. Also, it's quite dangerous to work with this heavy element and you can hurt yourself or damage something in your car.

There are issues with repair like people don't know how to correctly fit the torque converter or assemble something wrongly. In the end, such a transmission may get severe damage and just fall apart during the first ride.

Also, it takes about 2 hours to make some simple repairs for a professional mechanic. But a DIYer may spend days on this making this just not lucrative at all.

Of course, one thing you should know about the transmission's technical side is how to manually put it in Neutral with no power in your car. Please look this up in the manual before you actually need this.

Also, sometimes, after professional inspection a good mechanic may make the adaptation reset and the transmission will work like new. This may save you thousands of dollars and days of your life.

Transmission repair highlights:

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:When broken
• Needed expertise:High
• Needed tools:Professional set of tools
• Time taken:2-20 hours
• Possible issues:Transmission not shifting, gearbox freaking out, car may be in limp mode.

Proper use of automatic transmission

It's quite obvious that modern automatic transmissions require proper use. If you don't know how to drive your car or how to park it correctly and safely, there is a high chance that you are killing your transmissions slowly day by day. For example, not applying the parking brake may easily kill your gearbox due to parking pawl failure.

A lot of people ask how bad it is to drive their automatic cars in manual mode. And it's not that bad if you know how to do it. Otherwise, better let electronics do the job it's designed to do. Or there are questions on how you should change gears in a certain car. Please make sure you read the manual before you drive your new vehicle!

I've written articles about the B-mode in the Mirage and what it gives you. It's important to know about this when you are driving in the mountains. By the way, the B-mode in electric cars may mean absolutely different things (still usable in mountains, anyway).

Proper use of transmission highlights:

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:Always
• Needed expertise:Basic
• Needed tools:No tools
• Time taken:No time needed
• Possible issues:Transmission failing, parking pawl damage, overheating of the gearbox, issues with torque converter, problems with overloading.