Welcome to transmissionfluidflush.org! Learn about transmission fluid flush, its cost and more information about transmission maintenance.
Cars are quite complex under the hood. With the physics of the engine as the center of automobiles, any thing else that is connected to the heart of the automobile is subjected to specifications and in accordance with the laws that govern it. You are most probably familiar with the same routine of your car in your day to day activities – drive along the stretches of roads, dodge traffic, and be a road warrior in your own aspect.
But there would come a time when man and machine would not be in synch with each other. In this manner, you may feel that the car would occasionally grunt when you try to shift gears or perhaps hear that familiar and sickening grinding of gears as you unsuccessfully try to move from one gear to another. In other words, bad vibes both literal and figurative are what you get when there is probably something wrong and you may need to check your transmission fluid as a start.
The Definition
Transmission fluid is used primarily in automatic transmission vehicles, and in some modern manual transmission types. Basically, the function of transmission fluid is to provide lubrication. Being oil-based, it serves its function in the transmission of gears in vehicles, as well as valve operations, and brake systems.
Modern composition of transmission fluid also includes other compounds to provide protection and longevity to the systems it services, mainly from rust and corrosion, viscosity and high temperature effects, foam formation, and friction. Without it, it would be very difficult if not almost impossible to switch gears. Transmission systems with a lack or overused transmission fluid are prone to overheating due to the friction of the highly spinning gears and mechanical failure from the massive grinding of components. In any case, lacking or having no transmission fluid could utterly spell disaster for the driver both in safety and in expenses for transmission system damage.
The Mechanics
The way production cars are designed is that the engine is connected to the transmission where drive joint is then connected to the rear tires. Other designs have front wheel drives employing the same series of components. Between the engine and the main transmission gears is the clutch, which allows the changing of gears to provide different gear ratios, and thus produce different forces to enact on the drive wheels.
In manual configuration, the clutch pedal allows the user to time the clutching of the gears to allow smooth gear change. In other words, the clutch allows us a safe and synchronous engagement of the perpetually spinning engine with a non-spinning transmission when shifting gears.
In automatic transmissions, the absence of the clutch pedal from the driver’s side does not mean that there is no clutch in the transmission system, but instead is done automatically and controlled mechanically, and with electronics. Automatic transmissions just allow a more trouble free operation for the driver, who now only has two pedals instead of three to contend with.
Depending on the design oh the gear placement, the most common manual transmission systems have stick gear configuration in double H, where a series of increasing gears are laid out starting from the upper left corner, going down, then middle up, then middle down, then upper right, and finally with the reverse gear at the lower right. Some other configurations have a single H lay out where the reverse gear is situated at the upper left. Automatic transmission systems have gear sticks in a linear fashion, starting with a “park” or lock gear at the top, then followed by neutral, reverse, and a series of drive gears to accommodate different car loads.
The presence of the transmission fluid is like a maintaining lubrication so that the hydraulic processes involved in the levers and gears in the transmission system is smooth, and without unwanted friction. The cooling effect of synthetic transmission fluids nowadays also allows higher revolutions per minute for the transmission shaft as it turns at the same speed with the engine.
The Specifications
Car manufacturers specify the time and duration when the transmission fluid should be replaced. This procedure is done to keep the transmission in a healthy state, and prevent any damage and corresponding big bucks just to have it repaired or replaced. While other transmission fluid makers claim that their formulation can last around a hundred thousand miles, car manufacturers would indicate a healthier 30-thousand mile distance before having to flush and replace the transmission fluid. Experts and mechanics would even advice that heavy duty vehicles having heavy daily use should annually be checked for transmission fluid change.
Transmission fluid is typically red or green to distinguish it from engine oil. In automatic transmission systems, there is a provided dipstick to gauge its level. Usually denoted by a red handle, transmission fluid dipstick is very much similar to its nearby engine oil counterpart that is yellow.
The Checkup
Basic maintenance and regular checkup may be done even with the most novices of drivers. All it takes is a simple know how to have a look-up, assess, and determine the right course of action.
Logically, inspection is the first thing to do. Just before you roll out the driveway and drive to your destination, it is wise to include the transmission fluid in your daily routine along with tire, oil, and radiator checkup. As you pull out the dipstick, observe the color and the texture of the fluid, as well as its level. A low level reading would prompt you to have the transmission fluid replaced, but not without determining first if there is possible leaking. In this case, you may try and a have a quick look under your car for small pools of viscous fluid, especially near the engine and immediately around it. This is especially more visible if you have your car parked overnight, allowing the possible leak to become evident over several hours.
Another probable complication is to have it discolored far from bright red or green, depending on the initial color of the transmission fluid when it was bought. It is natural to have it darker over the course of its usage, due to the chemical reactions taking place in the transmission system, but if the color turns smoky dark you may have to change it already. Waiting for the transmission fluid to turn even darker and having a rather burnt smell instead of a sweet one may already indicate burns, corrosion, and damage within the transmission system. When this happens, it is already considered an automotive emergency and you have to change transmission fluids immediately.
The Maintenance
Changing the transmission fluid requires one to go under the car and manually removing the transmission pan and filter, and draining the transmission fluid off, more often referred to as “flushing”. This service is usually done in automotive and mechanical shops where cars may be serviced better by experienced mechanics.
Expect this procedure to be quite messy as it involves oil-based substances, viscous textures from the base product and its impurities, and stains due to possible burns and discolorations. Even if you are alright with that idea, flushing the old and dirty transmission fluid does not end there. There is still at leas half of the old stock in residual volume and impurities still located within the torque converter, valves, clutch drums, and other areas.
To have a proper flushing procedure, you have to either use a pump to vacuum out the remaining fluid until air starts coming out, or detach the trans cooler line located by the radiator. With the latter, allow the engine to go into idle as you pan out the remaining transmission fluid from the line until air starts spurting as well. When this happens, add fresh transmission fluid in the dipstick tube to properly push out the old one out. When the flushed fluid starts to lighten and become clearer, the transmission fluid change procedure may be started. It is time to return the detached line, replace with a new filter, and put the cleaned out and empty pan back into place while refilling with fresh transmission fluid.
The Costs
There is no need to worry in the cost and expense of transmission fluid as they are very cheap. Ranging from a buck for a quart of generic synthetic transmission fluid to around $50 to $70 for a gallon, they are very affordable. Deliberating whether to preserve and overuse the existing fluid to save a few bucks is not an option if the consequence would call for several hundreds to thousands of dollars for transmission repair costs, not to mention several days or weeks of a non-servicing automobile – as it is still being repaired in the auto shop. To furhter illustrate this point, check out this quick video by Monday Morning Mechanic on why having your transmission fluid in good condition is so important:
Having this resource in transmission fluid knowledge and maintenance may prove to be physically messy and dirty but the repercussions of totally ignoring or neglecting its state may prove complicated and hassling should damage start to eat its way through the transmission system, through your finances, and through your well being as you putting effort and time for much longer time-requiring repairs.
Car enthusiasts out there might find something familiar over this heated topic when buying, selling, introducing, manufacturing, promoting or whatever words containing the gerundial phrase –ing you can probably think about; any vehicle concerned. The better question before that old question: automatic or manual transmission.
They offer you the same experience and satisfaction but for some, this just won’t matter as long as they have the car. To give you a glimpse of their actual difference let us go travel back in time to reminisce the not so distant past. Remember old models? The mustang, the beetle, the cooper and all? They first came out from predecessors who have a less intricate way of operating the whole vehicle. The manual transmission technology has been passed down and improved in generations.
This is like the pride and glory of all cars past automatic transmission who came in late. But the idea in here actually is to lessen the time spent holding the stick shift for gear shifting. As man improves almost every other facet of his life, so does the car making industry. People wanted to see more and more the evolution of car technology at their own palms. This continued reinvention has started the outgrowth of satisfaction on both sides that use the only available car transmission technology possible.
As a piece of advice, always respect cars still operating on manual transmission, after all, they have survived the onslaught of automation by producing modern cars still bearing that proud tradition. And remember that car manufacturers will never have anything to redefine if manual technology had not started it all. Vehicles having automatic transmission are only remodeled after manual cars still using stick shift advantage.
Perhaps, advantageous because if you really want to know how it feels like to be an expert driver of your own, while still learning the basics, a car with manual transmission is still better for starters. So which is better? Read between the lines.
Hydraulic brakes use brake fluid to cause the vehicle to stop when the brake pedal is pressed down, the master cylinder forces fluid to the cylinders on the four wheels of the vehicle slowing or stopping it altogether depending on the pressure applied.
The main reason why brake fluid is normally replaced is because it is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs and retains moisture which in turn causes rust which then leads to leakage in the line and wearing out parts in the system due to friction caused by dirt, silt and metal parts which has rusted and has been dissolved into the brake fluid, the water also causes the boiling point of the brake fluid to lower meaning it boils faster and consequently damages modules and seals.
In addition heat caused by actuation of systems during traction or braking can cause the fluid to breakdown. The importance of driving having efficient braking system cannot be over-emphasized and so brake fluids should be checked regularly and flushed if need be since the cost of performing a brake fluid flush does not compare to the loss of human life and damage of property due to brake failure in case of an emergency or the cost of repairing and replacing the brake system in the long run which will be much more costly than flushing the brake fluid once every two years as it is commonly done. Also regular brake fluid flush ensures that the vehicle’s lifespan is long.
To check if your car needs a brake fluid flush you have to take out the master cylinder and check if the brake fluid is clear and if it is not then it requires to be flushed, you can flush it yourself if you are careful enough, but it is better to let a professional service and repair company do it for you.
There are various methods used for brake fluid flushing which include gravity, pressure bleed and machine flush where the master cylinder is opened, the fluid drained and it is then cleaned thoroughly to ensure that all contaminants are removed. This is however carried out one brake wheel at a time.
Vehicles require transmission fluid to lubricate the parts located withing the general area of the transmission. If a vehicle begins shifting late and softer than usual, or strange problems begin arising in your vehicle’s performance, it is generally a sign that the transmission fluid has gone bad and requires replacement.
The transmission fluid can be checked to see what condition its in by lifting the hood of the car and examining the transmission fluid dipstick, while allowing the vehicle to run idle. The fluid should be bright red, clear and have a clean type of smell, if the fluid is dark and cloudy or gives off a burnt odor then the transmission fluid needs to be changed. In addition to that, in the event of the transmission fluid area gives off a burnt odor there is a large possibility the the vehicle has already suffered damage to its transmission. When the fluid becomes dark and unusable the transmission fluid needs to be changed, vehicles only store about a pint of transmission fluid for use.
General maintenance guidelines for vehicles suggest that the transmission fluid needs to be checked every 100,000 miles, though now every 30,000 miles is more reasonable for checking the transmission fluid. There is also a transmission fluid filter located near the actual transmission area underneath the vehicle. The fluid filter may be changed, though it may require a mechanic to perform that job. Changing the transmission fluid filter is not as important as changing the transmission fluid itself because the majority of the gunk and useless transmission fluid that should be filtered have settled into other parts of the transmission. Due to the fact that there is useless transmission fluid and gunk in unreachable places within the transmission, replacing the transmission fluid filter is pointless to a certain extent because the transmission fluid will mix with the gunk the instant it is added to the vehicle.
If you suspect that your transmission needs to be serviced, you should visit your local mechanic as soon as possible.