Specialized equipment: Changing the transmission fluid requires specialized equipment, such as a lift or jack stands, a drain pan, and a fluid pump. This equipment can be expensive to purchase and maintain, which can drive up the cost of the service.
Since the procedure uses new fluid to perform the flush, it requires additional fluid beyond the transmission's final capacity. Plus, additional fluid is needed to fill the flush machine reservoir and lines. Some fluid is also used to prime the pump. Those extra quarts are where most of the cost lies.
Drivers can expect to pay $125 to $250 for a transmission fluid flush service. This is approximately twice as much as a transmission fluid change. This is due in large part to the additional fluid required. A flush will take 12 to 22 quarts, while a fluid change requires 5 to 7 quarts.
Routine transmission flushes are especially important if your car uses an automatic transmission. They can help prevent your transmission's internal hydraulic lines from clogging and protect the inner seals, which can lessen the likelihood of transmission fluid leaks.
A transmission fluid flush forces fluid through the transmission and can cause debris to circulate around and clog up parts of your transmission. That said, having it flushed can actually cause more harm than a simple drain & refill.
Almost every car manufacturer recommends against using transmission flushing chemicals, and most will void your transmission warranty if they can prove these chemicals are being used. These chemicals can damage your transmission, which is why most automakers recommend against them.
Where a transmission fluid change will only replace some of the existing fluid for new, clean fluid, a transmission fluid flush completely removes all old fluid and replaces it with new. Mechanics recommend a complete flush approximately every 60,000 miles.
Other than the obvious check engine light, if you experience harsh shifting, poor acceleration, slipping gears, or transmission whine, then you should think about having your transmission fluid changed or maybe even flushed.
Depending on what the manufacturer recommends, you may need to get a transmission flush every 30,000 miles or two years. In some cases, your owner's manual may suggest waiting until your car reaches 100,000 miles. Your best bet is to check your manual and consult with our technicians.
If you don't replace your transmission fluid, it will break down much like engine oil and lose its lubricating and cleaning properties. This leads to high temperatures, sludge buildup, and excess friction, which can damage the internal clutches that shift the gears.
» A transmission flush can be performed (DIY) using the transmission's pump without a flush machine. A transmission flush is a process in which the fluid in an automatic transmission is flushed out of the transmission and replaced with new ATF.
Transmission Flush - Replaces 100% of your transmission fluid and purges accumulated particles and deposits from the entire transmission. Fluid is expelled from your transmission using a cooler line flushing machine or a pump inlet. The transmission pan is inspected and cleaned, the filter replaced.
Heat is one of the leading causes of transmission decline and failure. A transmission flush can prevent an overheated transmission by keeping it properly cooled. This service can reduce the overall stress on your vehicle and maintain its health longer.
A transmission flush is important in order for dirty fluid to be removed from the system and replaced with clean fluids. The benefit of a flush is your system is re-lubricated which contributes to your vehicle running better.
What is the recommended service interval for transmission flushes? Each manufacturer recommends the transmission flush interval for their vehicles; however, most recommend that the transmission is flushed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
Difficulty Shifting Gears - If you ever accelerate and hear your engine rev, but don't feel your car go any faster, your transmission is likely stuck in gear. Drivers with a manual transmission will feel some resistance when you try to shift. Not being able to shift is a direct result of having low transmission fluid.
How Long Does it Take to Flush a Transmission? It can take between 3 to 4 hours to flush out the old transmission fluid by vacuuming or using a simple siphoning system. Siphoning or vacuuming is repeated to remove all sticky dirt from the synchronizing gear and until the inside of the transmission is clean.
Keeping that in mind, it's recommended that you change your transmission filter whenever you have to perform a transmission fluid change.
Very Dark Brown (or Black)
The sight of a very dark brown or black transmission fluid is never a good thing. This indicates that your transmission fluid is severely contaminated and often oxidized to a significant degree. As such, key lubrication is severely lacking, and internal transmission is imminent with time.
No! Transmission fluid flushes remove contaminants that could hurt your transmission, much the same way that engine oil is changed to clean the engine.
From our 30 years of hands-on automotive experience, there is no such thing as a truly "sealed for life" or "lifetime transmission fluid." Over time, all transmission fluids will eventually deteriorate, break down, and become contaminated and will need to be changed.
quicker explanation: Changing fluid will NOT damage your transmission, but it could reveal damage that was already present.
Many mechanics recommend drivers get their vehicle's transmission fluid changed approximately every 50,000 miles. Making sure your vehicle's transmission system is in top shape can help extend your vehicle's life and keep you safe on the road.
If you wait too long to flush your transmission fluid, your transmission will begin to deteriorate from the inside out. Transmission fluid flushes are designed to prevent transmission issues and keep your vehicle working as it should.