How Many Kilometers Should You Drive Before Changing Transmission Fluid?
4 Answers
Transmission fluid should be changed every two years or 40,000 kilometers. Here is some relevant information: 1. Transmission fluid: The frequency of changing transmission fluid varies for different vehicle models. For manual transmission vehicles, the transmission fluid is only used for lubrication, and the gear precision requirements in manual transmissions are not as high. Therefore, slightly inferior transmission fluid does not have much impact. 2. Hazards of dirty transmission fluid: Automatic transmission vehicles are more complex and have higher operational requirements. In these vehicles, transmission fluid serves more purposes than in manual transmissions. If the transmission fluid becomes dirty and the impurities increase, it can accelerate transmission wear and reduce shifting speed.
Last time I went to the 4S shop for maintenance, the technician explained this to me. Generally, manual transmission cars need to change the transmission oil at around 60,000 kilometers, while automatic transmission models are recommended to change it at 40,000 to 80,000 kilometers. However, it depends on the specific situation. For example, the Japanese car I drive with a CVT transmission has a manufacturer's manual stating that the oil must be changed at 60,000 kilometers. At that time, the technician showed me a dipstick and said that if the oil color darkens or there are metal shavings, it should be changed earlier. If you drive aggressively, frequently tow, or often drive on mountain roads, the oil ages faster and may need to be changed at 50,000 kilometers. Don't try to save money by using off-brand oil; repairing a transmission is much more expensive than changing the oil.
As a seasoned driver who has changed transmission fluid three times, let me share some experience. My American car didn't get its first transmission fluid change until 80,000 km, and the drained fluid was as thick and sticky as soy sauce. The repair shop owner said prolonged neglect of automatic transmission fluid changes can lead to valve body clogging, with gear shift hesitation being the mildest symptom. After switching to full synthetic fluid, I immediately noticed much smoother gear shifts. For city driving with frequent traffic congestion, I recommend changing at 60,000 km; for mostly highway driving, 80,000 km is acceptable. Remember to always replace the filter simultaneously - otherwise it's like changing for nothing.
Having worked in auto repair for over a decade, I've noticed that car owners often neglect transmission fluid. German luxury cars typically recommend changes at 60,000 km, but upon removing the oil pan, sludge is frequently visible. Especially for dual-clutch transmissions, fluid overheating accelerates degradation. Japanese cars generally have an 80,000 km upper limit, though I'd suggest advancing it to 70,000 km. The fluid change method matters greatly – machine flushing is thorough but consumes more fluid, while gravity draining is economical but only replaces about 40% of old fluid. Choose based on your budget.
