Is it okay to not change the transmission oil for 8 years?
2 Answers
No, transmission oil plays a crucial role in cleaning, lubricating, cooling, and sealing the transmission. Due to the specific operating environment inside the transmission, the quality of the oil has a certain shelf life. Over time, the performance of the oil deteriorates, leading to increased impurities, which accelerates the wear of transmission components and results in premature failures or higher failure rates. More details are as follows: 1. Causes of transmission failures: Reliable data shows that over 80% of transmission failures are caused by deteriorated transmission oil. 2. Benefits of regular oil changes: The role of transmission oil should not be underestimated, and the cost of transmission repairs is very high. Compared to the cost of replacing transmission oil, maintenance and care become very necessary at this point.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, whether to skip changing the transmission oil for eight years really depends on the specific situation. Last time I took my colleague's old LaCrosse for maintenance—it had gone eight years without an oil change—and when we opened the oil pan, it was full of metal shavings, and the filter screen was clogged. Nowadays, many transmission issues like rough shifting or excessive noise are caused by degraded oil. I’d advise against taking the risk, especially for CVT and dual-clutch transmissions, as manufacturers typically recommend changing the oil every 60,000 km or four years. If you insist on delaying the change, at least check the oil’s color—it should be a clear red. If it turns brown with a burnt smell, that’s a red flag. Here’s a practical tip: opt for a machine-powered flush for a more thorough change, and avoid the cheaper but less effective gravity drain method.
