Whether it’s equipped with an automatic transmission or a manual one, your car has transmission fluid that will need to be changed regularly. However, there are many different maintenance items to address, one of which is changing its transmission fluid on a regular basis. So for the best results, it’s recommended that you completely drain and refill the transmission fluid 2-3 times, to get all of the old fluid out.Maintaining your car is just as important if you want it to last a long time. There will still be 5-8 quarts of old transmission fluid inside the torque converter, and that old ATF will mix with the new when you start the engine. Finally, the recommended amount of new fluid is poured into the reservoir. The filter and gasket are then replaced and the pan/plug is re-attached. The benefit of removing the pan is that it can be checked for warning signs of developing problems such as sludge and debris, and be thoroughly cleaned. To drain the fluid, the entire pan or just the plug can be removed. The car is then elevated enough (on a ramp, lift or jack) to provide access to the transmission pan. To change the fluid, a car should be run or driven for a while in order to warm the fluids up to normal operating temperatures. If the fluid isn’t changed, high operating temperatures will cause the transmission to wear out much faster than it should.Ĭhanging your transmission fluid is a relatively straightforward process that you can do yourself. So as you can see, transmission fluid is constantly being subjected to high heat, pressure and friction.Īs the miles add up, this wear and tear causes the transmission fluid to become thin and dirty – losing it’s ability to remove heat from inside the transmission. Absorbing and removing heat generated by the moving parts inside the gearbox.Transferring power from the engine to the transmission inside the torque converter.This liquid is vital for many processes, including: What is a Transmission Fluid Change?Īn automatic transmission uses a special blend of hydraulic fluid to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. For example, changing the transmission fluid on a paddle-shift Lamborghini can cost upwards of $750. High End/Luxury Vehicles – High end cars are not cheap to maintain. The job is quite straightforward, but you will see why many people pay to have it done. If this is the case, you’ll need a large catch pan for the old fluid to drain into, and a bag of cat litter to soak up any spilled ATF. Some automatic transmissions don’t have drain plugs, so you have to carefully remove some of the pan bolts while the fluid is still inside. Note: this price range assumes you already have the tools required (socket wrench, mallet, screwdrivers, safety glasses, clean rag and a pan large enough to catch all the fluid as it drains). The process is very straightforward for most cars as long as you have the right tools for the job, so if you’re feeling motivated and willing to learn the process, you can save some money. Changing the fluid yourself will cut the price approximately in half – down to $40 to $90 for the gasket, new filter and of course the transmission fluid. A dealership is going to cost 2-3 times more, averaging around $220.ĭo it Yourself – The cheapest option. Expect to pay around $100.ĭealership – The most expensive option. Mechanic or Service Center – The most common option. How much fluid is needed to fill your car.Type of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) used.The make and model of your vehicle (high-end brands cost more).Whether the job is done by a dealership, mechanic/service center or yourself.The average fluid change requires 5 to 15 quarts of fluid ($50-$120), a new filter ($15-$30), and sometimes, a new pan gasket (typically included in filter kits) for a total of roughly $75 – $150. Modern cars usually require a specific type of transmission fluid like ATF+4 or SP4, which can range in price from $8 to $20 per quart. It isn’t necessary to do this every time, but it will help your transmission last longer which we believe is worth the additional fees. Contaminants are collected by the filter and pan over time which can reduce the effectiveness of new fluid if they are not removed. We recommend getting the filter replaced and pan cleaned every time the fluid is changed. The average cost is around $100 for both automatic and manual transmissions. The cost to have your fluid changed by a dealer, service center or independent mechanic ranges from $80 to $250. How Much Does a Transmission Fluid Change Cost? Alternatively, there’s the option of getting your transmission flushed, which will cost about twice as much as a change.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |