What is a Transmission Fluid Change?
Your transmission plays a vital role in keeping your car running smoothly, but it can’t function properly in isolation. As your transmission works to convert the power your engine generates into torque, it relies on a steady supply of transmission fluid. And like other fluids, this fluid can get old and dirty, which means you’ll need to replace it.
Whether you haven’t had a transmission fluid change before or you want to know more about how this service works, you’re in the right place. Here, you have the opportunity to learn all about transmission fluid changes, transmission flushes, and other transmission-related services.
Understanding Your Transmission
Of course, you won’t be able to appreciate what a transmission fluid change is without knowing a little bit about the transmission itself. This is one of the most complex components of any car, but you don’t have to know how to fix it on your own. Instead, all you need is a basic understanding of its functionality.
Essentially, your car’s transmission consists of a metal box filled with gears. Its job is to take power from your engine and convert it into torque (the force that rotates wheels around an axis or axle). By doing so, the transmission allows your car to get from one place to another.
Unless you’re a mechanic or an expert in car repairs, it isn’t wise to take on car maintenance tasks by yourself. That goes double for anything involving a transmission, even when it comes to a seemingly-simple task like a transmission fluid change. Instead, you should leave these tasks to the trustworthy auto mechanics at Tire Works.
All About Transmission Fluid Changes and Flushes
If you haven’t been attentive to your transmission fluid recently, there’s a good chance it needs some attention. Even then, the first step is determining whether you need a transmission fluid change or a transmission flush. While these tasks are closely related, they also have some crucial differences:
Transmission Fluid Change
Both transmission fluid changes and flushes focus on keeping your transmission adequately lubricated. Furthermore, they both involve removing old fluid, grime, and sludge from your transmission and replacing it with fresh transmission fluid.
The most significant difference between these two tasks is the amount of transmission fluid they remove and replace. A transmission fluid change involves removing 50–60 percent of your fluid and replacing your filter, leaving you with roughly equal amounts of old and new fluid. This service doesn’t take long—you can expect it to be done in 30 minutes or so.
Transmission Flush
Unlike a transmission fluid change, a transmission flush replaces 100 percent of your existing fluid. But it doesn’t stop there; this service involves the use of specialized equipment like a pump inlet or cooler line flushing machine. A transmission flush can take up to three or four hours to complete.
Know When to Flush Your Transmission
Transmission fluid changes and flushes are an excellent way to extend your transmission’s lifespan while boosting its performance. That said, you need to know when to schedule these services to get the most out of them. If you’re unsure how often your transmission needs fluid changes or flushes, you should start by consulting your car’s manual.
Nonetheless, there’s nothing wrong with following a “rule of thumb” regarding transmission maintenance services. In general, it’s wise to get a transmission flush every 30,000–50,000 miles or 3–5 years. If you’re not getting transmission flushes, consider setting up transmission fluid changes every 3,000 miles. And if you don’t know which service is best for your car, get in touch with the team at Tire Works for assistance.
Transmission Fluid Warning Signs
When you schedule transmission fluid services as needed, you don’t usually have to worry about the condition of your transmission fluid. However, you could still run into some issues, so it’s best to look out for these warning signs:
- Changes in how shifting sounds. This can indicate that your transmission fluid is no longer effective, but it can also point to a transmission leak.
- A slippery transmission. In many cases, this results from suboptimal coordination between your engine and the rest of your car.
- Dark fluid on your transmission’s dipstick. Fresh, clean transmission fluid should have a bright red hue. When your fluid is darker than it should be, it may be a sign of contamination by foreign particles—a blatant sign that your car needs a fluid refill.
If you notice any of these signs, your transmission fluid needs immediate attention. Don’t wait any longer. Schedule a transmission fluid change or flush appointment at your nearest Tire Works shop right away.
Other Essential Transmission Services
When a reputable shop handles your transmission fluid changes and flushes, it goes a long way toward keeping your transmission in good shape. However, this aren’t the only types of services your transmission needs to meet its full potential. It’s also wise to keep up on these transmission services:
Transmission Maintenance
Transmission fluid services fall under the category of transmission maintenance as do several other tasks. These include transmission inspection, which can notify you of any issues with your transmission before they become serious. In the long run, this could potentially save you hundreds of dollars or more.
Transmission Repair
Sometimes even a transmission flush or inspection isn’t enough to resolve your transmission’s issues. When that’s the case, it’s time to take the next step by setting up an appointment for transmission repair. The crew at Tire Works can handle any transmission fixes you might need from quick repairs to in-depth rebuilds.
Rely On the Best Las Vegas Transmission Shop
The Las Vegas area has no shortage of businesses offering auto services, and that certainly includes transmission shops. While you might be tempted to go with whichever shop happens to be closest to your home, it’s never a good idea to gamble with your car’s well-being. This is doubly true when it comes to your transmission, which is incredibly complicated and essential to your car’s basic functionality.
Instead, it’s worth the time and effort to do your research and find a genuinely reputable Las Vegas shop for your next transmission fluid change or flush. Ideally, your transmission shop of choice should deliver:
- Auto mechanics with unbeatable qualifications. When it comes to your car’s transmission, you shouldn’t trust any mechanic with the task. Instead, search for a shop that has ASE-certified mechanics.
- Complimentary auto repair quotes. Nobody wants to overpay for transmission maintenance. To avoid the risk of sticker shock, make sure your shop can provide you with a free quote letting you know how much you can expect to pay before the task begins.
- Great rates. Even if you know how much you’ll be spending up front, it won’t matter if your transmission flush isn’t affordable. Try finding a shop that charges fair prices for their work and helps you save even more with online coupons.
- All the car services you could ever need. Finding a transmission shop is hard enough. Don’t put yourself in the position of having to look for a shop again when your car runs into a different problem. Instead, be sure to pick a full-service shop from the get-go.
- Scheduling options that meet your needs. Your shop should let you schedule appointments either in person, over the phone, or online.
To ensure you get all these benefits from your transmission shop, pick Tire Works Total Car Care for the task! We’re Las Vegas’ most trusted destination for every type of auto service, including your next transmission fluid change or flush.
