Is it true that transmission fluid never needs to be changed?
2 Answers
Is it true that transmission fluid never needs to be changed? No, transmission fluid is a consumable item. During vehicle operation, friction in the transmission generates fine debris and impurities, causing the fluid to become cloudy and lose its performance. This affects transmission operation and may lead to driving issues, necessitating replacement. Depending on transmission type, transmission fluids are categorized into automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and manual transmission fluid. Generally, manual transmission fluid lasts longer than ATF - requiring replacement every 3 years or approximately 80,000-100,000 km, while automatic transmission fluid needs replacement every 2 years or about 50,000-80,000 km.
I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade, and the claim that transmission fluid doesn't need changing is absolutely false! Manual transmission vehicles can go 50,000-60,000 kilometers between changes, while automatics are more delicate and require replacement every 30,000-40,000 kilometers. Over time, the fluid thins out, losing its lubricating properties, which leads to direct metal-on-metal gear wear and inevitable problems. Last year, a Touareg owner complained about rough shifting - when we opened it up, the fluid was black as soy sauce with metal shavings clogging the solenoid valves. Replacing the entire transmission cost nearly 20,000 yuan. Trying to save a few hundred bucks on fluid changes simply isn't worth the consequences.
