Is it necessary to change transmission fluid?
2 Answers
Transmission fluid needs to be changed. The methods for changing transmission fluid are: 1. Gravity drain: After loosening the nut at the bottom of the oil pan, the transmission fluid will automatically flow out from the drain hole; 2. Machine flush replacement: Connect the transmission and the flushing machine through pipeline interfaces, using new fluid to push out the old fluid. The functions of transmission fluid are: keeping the shifting system clean, providing lubrication, ensuring normal operation of the transmission, and prolonging the service life of the transmission components. Precursors for transmission fluid change include: 1. Vehicle shaking and gear shifting hesitation; 2. Transmission overheating warning appearing on the dashboard; 3. Engine stalling easily; 4. Abnormal noises occurring.
Just a couple of days ago, I helped my neighbor check his old Accord. It hadn't had its transmission fluid changed in ten years, and shifting gears felt like an old ox panting. Actually, transmission fluid is like the blood of an engine—it oxidizes and deteriorates under high temperatures. When sludge builds up, the valve body can get stuck, and in the worst cases, it can even burn out the clutch plates. The worst I've seen was a transmission repair costing over 8,000 RMB—definitely not worth skipping regular fluid changes. For manual transmissions, you can go up to 80,000 kilometers between changes, but automatics should be changed every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers, especially if you frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic where fluid temperatures can easily exceed 100°C. Using a flush machine is more expensive, but it removes about 90% of the old fluid, making it much more thorough than a simple drain-and-fill.
