Changing the transmission fluid of your car is a necessary chore. The fluid is a lubricant that allows most of the moving parts in your car to move smoothly. Without it or having old and dirty fluid inside your transmission system can cause problems.
Most people don’t know that they can change their transmission fluid themselves instead of depending on a mechanic. Learn when to change your transmission fluid and how to do it.
Signs You Need to Change Transmission Fluid
There are two types of oil that your car uses. One of them is engine oil that lubricates your engine. The other one is the transmission fluid or differential oil. It is called this because it lubricates the differential gears in your transmission. Without it, your differentials will start breaking down. Though there are many places to get differentials in Salt Lake City and other cities, it’s simpler to change your transmission fluid than change the gearbox of your car.
Here are some signs your car needs a transmission fluid change. First, the transmission fluid service interval has been exceeded. Old oil is not the same, so you need to change it regularly. Leaving it like that allows for dirt to accumulate and for friction to build up. Next, you have a noisy transmission. This means the differential is not getting the best lubrication and it will get even noisier as your car gets faster.
The third sign is that your transmission is jerky. Though this can be a sign of other issues, it is happening more frequently when transmission fluid levels are low, which cause gear grinding and slippage. Finally, a burning smell from your differential means the friction is heating up your transmission. This is because of the lack of proper lubrication.
Doing It Properly
Changing transmission fluid is easy. The first step is to secure everything and have a clean floor covered with a tarp under your car, along with a catch pan. This is when you start draining the fluid from your car.
When the fluid is all gone, you have to detach the various parts connected to the transmission and clean them. These include the transmission pan, the gasket, and the o-ring. The old transmission filter is then replaced with a new one. Afterward, you reattach everything and start filling the transmission with new fluid.
When filling the transmission, use only the recommended amount of fluid. The next step is to see if everything is okay. Start the car and warm it up to get the transmission fluid running. Shut the car down and check for leaks. If there is none, start the car up again and run the car for a test drive on level ground. During this drive, shift through all the gears to cycle the fluid. Finally, check the transmission fluid with a dipstick to see if it is at a reasonable level.
Changing your transmission fluid is a simple process, but many people still make mistakes with doing it. Hopefully, this guide helps ensure that you will do it right.
