How many hours does it take to change transmission oil?
3 Answers
Changing transmission oil takes about 1 hour. The methods for changing transmission oil are: 1. Gravity replacement: After loosening the nut at the bottom of the oil pan, the transmission oil will automatically flow out from the oil hole; 2. Circulation machine replacement: Connect the transmission and the circulation machine through pipeline interfaces, and use new oil to push out the old oil. The maintenance methods for automatic transmission are: 1. Regularly change the transmission oil; 2. Frequently check the oil level; 3. Do not coast in neutral; 4. Avoid skipping gears when upshifting; 5. Do not force shifting into neutral; 6. Try to shorten the idling warm-up time; 7. Avoid gear grinding when shifting; 8. Clean the transmission.
Last time I went to change the transmission fluid, it took almost three hours because I drive an automatic car and they used the machine circulation method. The mechanic said they had to completely drain the old fluid before refilling with new oil, which required connecting to the machine for a slow circulation process that couldn't be rushed. During the process, they also had to remove the oil pan to clean the filter screen and check if the sealing gasket had aged. Manual transmission cars are faster - it can be done in just over an hour. I recommend making an appointment in advance and avoiding peak hours. When I went on a weekday morning, it was much less crowded. Also, don't try to save money by choosing cheap oil - the transmission is the heart of the car, and using the wrong oil can cause gear shift jerking or even damage.
Changing transmission fluid usually takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the method you choose. I prefer the gravity drain method - removing the drain plug to release old fluid and refilling with new fluid, which takes about an hour and a half and is more cost-effective. The flush machine method requires connecting pipes to circulate new fluid and flush out old fluid, which provides more thorough cleaning but takes twice as long, requiring about two and a half hours. Automatic transmissions take longer than manual ones due to their more complex fluid circuits. During fluid changes, I always ask the mechanic to inspect the transmission filter and replace it if dirty to prevent debris from clogging the fluid passages. After replacement, pay attention to test driving to ensure smooth gear shifting, and return for immediate repairs if any issues are detected.