Do you need a transmission fluid change?

There's a lot to keep track of when it comes to routine car care. You have to remember to get regular oil changes, brake service, tire rotations… we could keep going. And here's the thing — we've got one more important item that you should add to your car care to-do list: transmission fluid. check out this guide to your transmission fluid change and why it's a necessary part of your routine auto service.

What is transmission fluid?

To kick things off, here's a refresher on what transmission fluid does for your car. It's two-fold based on whether you drive a manual or automatic.

In a manual car, transmission fluid lubricates bearings and metal parts inside the gearbox. This helps prevent them from grinding down while they move, and the fluid absorbs excess heat.

In an automatic car, transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts associated with shifting gears AND provides hydraulic pressure and friction to keep those parts working. It also helps absorb excess heat and keep your transmission cool.

Now that you know what transmission fluid does, let's talk about why it's important to change it.

Why you need a routine fluid change for this car part

Some people may think “Eh, do I REALLY need to schedule this car care, or can I let it slide for a few months?”. Take it from the experts at Toyota of Orlando — you need to schedule it. Heat is a big issue when it comes to car transmissions. It can wear out parts, break things, and shorten your vehicle's lifespan. That's why a transmission fluid change is critical. Without it, you're in for trouble. Your transmission will start to experience hiccups as parts overheat and wear out. This can eventually lead to your gears not shifting at all (which means you can't drive). This then leads to expensive repairs or even the need for an all-new transmission (your wallet will be crying, trust us).

This is especially true if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving (like regular driving in heavy traffic where your car has to continuously shift gears), or if you tow and haul heavy loads routinely. These types of driving conditions create a lot of excess heat, so you need to ensure you have enough fluid to absorb the heat and keep your transmission in good condition.

When to schedule a transmission fluid change

So when should you be scheduling this car care appointment at Toyota of Orlando's service center? It depends — and here's why.

• Typically, a car will need to have its transmission fluid routinely checked at every service appointment between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. This is wise because like any other fluid in your car, transmission fluid can get dirty or drop to a low level if there's a leak.
• However, there is such a thing as “lifetime fluid” when it comes to transmissions in newer cars. Is it for real? Supposedly — but the experts at our Toyota of Orlando service center recommend still routinely checking your fluid and possibly swapping it out at 100,000 miles for maximum performance.

It's also a good idea to know how to check transmission fluid in between service appointments. Here are some pointers:

• Older cars with automatic transmissions have a transmission dipstick. Your owner's manual can tell you if your car has one and where to find it. You check the fluid just like you check your motor oil. Turn on your car and let the engine warm up, pull out the dipstick, and examine the color.
  • The fluid should be vivid red or pink in color.
  • Dark fluid can indicate that it's bad and needs to be changed.
  • It should also be free of debris or metal shavings.
  • Foamy fluid means there's too much fluid in the reservoir and some needs to be removed.
  • If the fluid is too low, then you need to schedule auto service to have some added or the fluid changed out.
• Newer cars with the aforementioned “lifetime fluid” typically don't have a dipstick. So how to check transmission fluid in these cars? You can't — you'll have to drop by Toyota of Orlando to let our techs take a look under the hood.

Transmission flushes vs. changes

Here's yet another point to consider — do you need a flush or a change?

• Changes aren't true to their name. They don't replace all the fluid with new fluid. In fact, only a third or a half of the fluid will be swapped out. Some fluid remains in the torque converter and other internal parts of your Orlando Toyota.
• A flush IS true to its name. It flushes out all of the fluid from the entire system. However, a flush isn't always a good thing. It could end up dislodging debris in the system and causing clogs. It could also blow out older seals that would otherwise be fine.

Not sure which you need? Be sure to ask one of the expert techs at Toyota of Orlando which is necessary for your car.

Schedule your transmission fluid change today at Toyota of Orlando

Need help with your car's transmission? We've got your back. Schedule service online at Toyota of Orlando or call us at 407-298-4500. We're located just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia at 3575 Vineland Road!