Can the transmission oil of Japanese cars remain unchanged?
2 Answers
Japanese cars cannot go without transmission oil changes. Hazards of not changing transmission oil for a long time: damage to the gear shift control mechanism of the transmission; abnormal wear of gears and clutch plates inside the transmission; affecting the normal operation of the transmission, leading to damage of the transmission valve body. The functions of transmission oil: Reduce friction, minimize wear, control the friction of the clutch and the performance of the synchronizer. Load bearing (low speed high torque, vibration load), heat dissipation, reduce vibration and noise, remove contaminants at gear meshing points (cleaning function). Prevent corrosion, prevent pitting and surface metal tearing, isolate metal surfaces, prevent direct contact between metal bodies. The signs that transmission oil needs to be changed are: Body shaking, gear shifting hesitation; transmission high-temperature warning appears on the dashboard; car stalling; abnormal noises occur.
I've run an auto repair shop for fifteen years, and claims about Japanese cars being 'maintenance-free' are just tricks to fool amateurs. A few months ago, I serviced a Camry that hadn't changed its transmission oil for 100,000 kilometers—the entire valve body was clogged with sludge, and the repair cost was enough for thirty oil changes. Manufacturers' so-called 'maintenance-free' refers to ideal driving conditions—no traffic jams, constant speed, gentle throttle use—but how often do we actually drive like that? Especially with CVT transmissions, which are particularly delicate; degraded oil can cause the steel belt to slip. Take my advice: change the oil every 60,000 kilometers or three years. A few hundred bucks at a local shop will save you a lot of hassle compared to repairing the transmission later.
