When it comes to fluid exchange, you might have heard about transmission flush, which is a controversial topic in the world of car mechanics. A lot of car owners think that transmissions are scary and complicated, which is why they don’t want to touch them. However, the truth is that there is a time to opt for fluid exchange, and then there are signs that opting for transmission flush is in your best interest.
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The General Rule
With engine oil, you should opt to change your oil every five to seven thousand miles – depending on the fluid that you are using. This aspect is roughly the same for most cars. However, when it comes to the transmission oil – that interval is typically much longer, and the interval also essentially varies – depending on the manufacturing.
Some manufacturers may say that the transmission needs to be serviced at thirty thousand miles – others might say that the transmission change might need to be made after one hundred thousand miles.
Transmission Fluid vs. Engine Oil
If you are a new car owner, you must be wondering about the differences between transmission fluid and engine oil. Essentially, these two fluids are different for your car, which is why you shouldn’t substitute one fluid for the other.
Engine Oil
When it comes to your car’s engine oil, this fluid is exclusively formulated to protect the inner parts of your car’s internal combustion engine.
Engine oil lubricates the important components and diminishes the friction between the moving parts of the combustion engine. Also, engine oil protects the car engine from rust and keeps the car machinery essentially free of rust. The colour of the car’s engine oil is typically amber – however – with the passage of time, this amber-coloured engine oil can turn black.
Never make the mistake of putting engine oil in your car’s transmission and vice versa. If you plan a family trip, make sure to take your car to the mechanic first so they can check all fluids for you.
Transmission Fluid
When it comes to the car’s transmission fluid, it essentially acts as a hydraulic fluid, the job of which is to shift the gears smoothly as well as effortlessly. The job of the transmission fluid is to protect the clutches as well as gears from friction. The viscosity of the transmission fluids is higher than that of engine oil. The colour of the transmission fluid is typically deep red for the automatic transmission fluid. On the other hand, for manual transmission fluid, the colour is usually dark green.
Signs Your Car Needs A Fluid Exchange Service
Now, as a car owner, you should know the signs that indicate that your car needs a fluid exchange. It is important to mention here that as a car owner, you need to have a mechanic tending to your car within your state. Choosing a dedicated mechanic is the key when it comes to taking care of your car. For instance, if you live in Utah, you should take your car for fluid exchange service in Utah; when you see knocking sounds coming out of the car, knocking sounds are indicators of the fact that the car’s engine isn’t lubricated because the oil level is low.
At the time of fluid exchange, the mechanic will drain out the transmission fluid that they can get out of your transmission and simply replace that fluid. This process doesn’t really require any technician, and ideally, you should be able to do it yourself.
Here are some other signs that can indicate that your car needs a fluid exchange service:
- Leaking car: you see a puddle of liquid under your car.
- Shaking car
- Jerking car
- Overheated transmission fluids emitting burning odours
- Noise when turning your car neutral
- Your car might be shifting gears on its own
The thing is that you should never drive your car when the transmission fluids levels are super low, as it can seriously affect the transmission, which will then result in an expensive car repair service that you could have avoided. So, it is in your best interest to look for the earliest signs that you need to take your car for fluid exchange service.
What About Transmission Flush?
Since we are talking so much about transmission fluid exchange, you might be wondering about what goes into transmission flush. Your car’s manual might tell you to do a transmission flush after a certain mileage. Transmission flush requires a machine as well as a technician to remove all of the fluid in your car’s transmission and put brand-new fluid in.
Some people say that you should never opt for a transmission flush as it might wreck your transmission. The underlying reason they might say that is because there are a few things that might happen when you get a transmission flush: a machine is used, and that machine uses a lot of pressure. Also, strong detergents are used inside the transmission to clean everything out, which might cause the transmission to start slipping.
