Is it okay not to change the transmission oil for 8 years?
2 Answers
It is not advisable to go without changing the transmission oil for 8 years. If left unchanged for such a long period, the transmission oil is highly likely to deteriorate due to contamination in the transmission, leading to poor lubrication and causing gear burning or deformation in the transmission. For automatic transmissions, it can also affect the engine's power transmission. Currently, there are two main types of transmissions in vehicles: manual transmissions and automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions use gear oil, which primarily provides good lubrication for the gears and cleans the metal debris generated from gear wear to ensure the transmission operates healthily and stably. Automatic transmissions use specialized automatic transmission fluid (ATF), which not only serves the purposes of lubrication and cleaning but also transmits the engine's power within the torque converter. Whether it's gear oil for manual transmissions or ATF for automatic transmissions, it is recommended to change them every 40,000 kilometers. There are two methods for changing transmission oil: the gravity method and the circulation machine method. The traditional gravity method for changing automatic transmission oil can only replace about half of the used oil. The method involves removing the drain plug, allowing the transmission oil to flow out naturally due to gravity, and then adding new oil through the fill port. The circulation machine method achieves a fully intelligent, equal-volume oil change. When the vehicle is started, the transmission oil is changed while circulating inside the transmission, which can remove contaminants from the transmission, achieving an oil change rate of over 90%.
As a car owner who has had similar experiences, I always remind my friends not to overlook the importance of changing transmission fluid. Going eight years without a change might seem convenient and cost-saving, but it actually leads to numerous issues. Transmission fluid is like the lifeblood of a car—over time, it oxidizes and deteriorates, significantly reducing its lubrication effectiveness. I once saw a vehicle suffer from gear-shifting lag and even overheating damage due to sludge buildup from old fluid, with repair costs nearing twenty thousand. It’s advisable to regularly check the fluid’s color and viscosity—clear pink is ideal, but if it turns black or has a burnt smell, act immediately. Most car manuals recommend changing it every four years. Prevention is key to ensuring smooth driving and keeping your beloved car reliable for the long haul.
