What Is Transmission Fluid?

Transmission fluid is commonly a green or red-colored liquid that is used in both automatic and manual transmissions, and each type of transmission comes with a unique set of rules. Transmission fluid has several jobs and consists of:

Simply put, transmission fluid is a complex chemical mixture that allows your vehicle to effectively change gears without generating friction or causing excess wear on internal components. As you can see, transmission fluid is vital to every drive.

Why Schedule a Transmission Fluid Exchange Service?

Just like engine oil, the additives in your transmission fluid will break down and degrade over time. When this happens, the fluid is no longer capable of lubricating the transmission components or dispersing heat from the vehicle. On the other hand, if you run your vehicle on low transmission fluid, it will cause the transmission to improperly shift or not shift at all. This can cause significant damage to various parts of your transmission, which will not be lubricated properly. Unfortunately, you may not have clues or hear noises alerting you the transmission is low on fluid until the problem is too far gone. As a result, it's critical to have your transmission fluid checked and exchanged at the manufacturer's suggested intervals. By doing so, you will avoid more costly transmission repairs and help extend the life of your vehicle.

Transmission Fluid Service Interval

Vehicles with manual transmissions can expect to have a transmission fluid exchange anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. However, if you are a heavy driver, you may need to have your transmission fluid changed every 15,000 miles. On the other hand, an automatic transmission may not ever need the transmission fluid exchange service. Yet, it could need the service as early as 30,000 miles. To truly know how often you should have the transmission fluid exchange service performed, it's vital to contact the experts at Mile High Honda in Denver, Colorado.