What is automatic transmission fluid maintenance?

Automatic transmission fluid maintenance needs to be maintained at certain levels and checked regularly as its function is to operate hydraulic systems, maintain soft seals, and lubricate the internal transmission, which can be a costly repair without the fluid's lubricity.

Keep in mind:

Modern automatic transmission fluids tend to be made for specific transmissions, so using "universal" transmission fluids when servicing a vehicle may not be optimal. Improper maintenance of automatic transmission fluid can result in poor shift performance and even shorten the life of your transmission. It is important to refer to your owner's manual to obtain the correct automatic transmission fluids, as improper maintenance can cause the aforementioned problems and void your vehicle's warranty.

How it is done:

• Park your car on a level surface
• Let the engine idle
• Shift gear slowly through all positions
• Set the transmission to park or neutral depending on the manufacturer's requirements while the vehicle is idling.
• Remove the transmission dipstick slowly as it may be hot.
• Notice where the level is marked near its end
• Insert the dipstick fully back into its tube, then remove it and check the level.
• Do not overfill it, but add liquid just below the “add” mark.

Our recommendations:

It is important to refer to your owner's manual to find the correct recommended intervals for your vehicle. It's equally important to let the technician know what type of driving you're doing, whether it's frequent highway driving or stop-and-go driving. Also, your technician should note if the transmission contains a filter that needs to be changed at the same time as wear and fluid failure occurs.

What are the common symptoms that indicate you may need an automatic transmission oil change?

• Delay, hard interaction between shifts
• Transmission slippage, increased engine speed during acceleration when the car is not moving forward
• Sudden knocking from below when shifting up or down.

How important is this service?

The fluid lubricates, cools and cleans vital transmission internals and maintains the hydraulic pressure needed to keep the transmission working properly.