In order for your vehicle to run as efficiently as possible, it needs to be filled with clean transmission fluid. Unfortunately, as transmission fluid becomes more and more deteriorated over time, it loses its efficacy. This is why your transmission fluid should be flushed and replaced from time to time.
Wondering if your transmission fluid has reached the point of no return? Then read below. This blog post has all the information you need to know.
Signs of Deteriorated Transmission Fluid
There are several ways to tell if your transmission fluid is no longer getting the job done. The most common signs of deteriorated transmission fluid are as follows.
Burnt Appearance
A clear sign that your transmission fluid is past its prime is if it possesses a burnt appearance. Over time, as transmission fluid is used more and more, it becomes burnt and charred. This perpetual burning worsens at the end of the fluid’s cycle, resulting in a fluid that is brownish-black and sludgy.
Because sludge can’t be used to adequately lubricate a transmission, the burnt fluid is rendered useless—and sometimes even poses a detriment.
Burning Aroma
Along with possessing a burnt appearance, overused transmission fluid will also possess a burnt smell. Therefore, if there’s a burning aroma coming from your vehicle, the transmission fluid could very well be past its expiration date.
Slow Gear Shifting
Another sign that your transmission fluid has run its course is if your vehicle responds slowly to gear shifts. Ideally, your vehicle will slide into the next gear with zero hesitation.
However, once the transmission fluid starts to lose its efficacy, it does a much poorer job of providing lubrication, causing more friction between gears. This ultimately causes the gears to shift more slowly than they otherwise would.
Slipping Gears
Do you ever feel a jolt while in the midst of driving your vehicle? If so, you’re likely experiencing gear slipping. Gear slipping occurs due to a lack of lubrication, stemming from transmission fluid that is either deteriorated or too low.
That “jolt” you feel is essentially a set of gears losing resistance against one another and slamming into the next gear. Not only is it unsafe for driving purposes, but it’s harmful to the gears themselves.
How Long Does Transmission Fluid Last?
There is no established limit for how long you should use your transmission fluid. The amount of time that transmission fluid should stay in a vehicle varies based on a number of factors.
The biggest factor is the type of vehicle that’s being driven. Some vehicles are more efficient when it comes to the use of transmission fluid, allowing them to get more miles out of a single supply of fluid.
The type of transmission fluid being used is a big factor as well. For instance, synthetic transmission fluids are generally longer-lasting than regular transmission fluids.
Nonetheless, generally speaking, vehicles can get anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 miles (and sometimes even more) on a single supply of transmission fluid. However, you shouldn’t use these numbers as an indicator that it’s time for a change. Instead, you should look out for the signs reviewed above.
Need a Transmission Fluid Flush in Stone Park, Illinois?
Have you noticed any of the above-reviewed signs with your transmission fluid? In need of a transmission fluid flush in Stone Park? If so, the transmission mechanics with King Transmission are the people to see.
Regardless of the make and model of your vehicle, we can change out its transmission fluid in a professional and timely manner. Our team would be glad to assist you.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
