Many vehicles on the road today lack routine preventative maintenance, vehicles that are both public and private. Drivers are mostly worried about getting their tires and engine oil changed when needed, and often forget about the large expensive component that shifts gears and propels the vehicle down the road at varied speeds as needed: the automatic transmission.
Automatic transmissions in vehicles take the brunt of driver abuse, from those who often mash the accelerator in an effort to feel the vehicle perform to their liking. However, no matter how a vehicle is driven, racking miles on them come with a cost. Automatic transmissions in vehicles that, like the engine, are large expensive components that should not be forgotten about, and should be checked by the driver periodically.
One of the best things to do with an automatic transmission periodically for preventative maintenance is to check the oil using the dipstick. The dipstick for the transmission is usually located on the other side of the engine compartment from the dipstick to check the engine oil level, and is usually a different color. The oil should be checked with the vehicle on flat, level ground, with the engine running at idle, and the transmission in “Park”.
Be sure to note the “Full” and “Add” levels on the dipstick if the vehicle transmission is being checked when it is either “Hot” or “Cold”. The dipstick will note the “Full” mark directly on it, in either a “Hot” or “Cold” state of the transmission. Also note that an automatic transmission is considered to be “hot” or normal operating temperature around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider that a transmission is about to have what I call an “Atomic Meltdown” just past 260 degrees, which could be caused by low air flow to the front transmission cooler, a plugged cooler, or a transmission oil leak, just FYI.
In addition to just checking the transmission fluid every once in a while, the transmission oil and filter should be changed-out about every 20,000 – 25,000 miles. If you start pushing your transmission fluid and filter change past 30,000 miles, you can bet that you are drastically decreasing the service life of your automatic transmission. There is also a magnet in the oil pan of your automatic transmission, that collects all of the fine metal from normal operation of the gears, clutches, and valves within the transmission, and should also be cleaned during the oil and filter change before being reinstalled onto the pan.
If you check your transmission fluid and you notice that it is “Black” in color, DO NOT have your transmission serviced at all. Rather, just say a prayer for it, and start saving your money to replace your transmission when it finally goes down for the count. When your transmission fluid becomes “Black” in color, it means that the clutching material from the clutch discs inside the transmission are no longer attached to the clutches themselves anymore, and are currently suspended within the transmission fluid. This is very bad. Your transmission fluid should be a nice “Red” or “Pink” color. If your fluid is “Brown” in color, it needs to be changed-out as soon as possible to avoid transmission damage and failure.
Transmission fluid services are expensive, usually around $75.00 – $120.00, but it is worth it to avoid transmission damage or failure. To replace an automatic transmission, plan-on spending about $2,300 – $3,700 on average, and sometimes even more. Many automatic transmissions in newer vehicles require the use of full synthetic oil, just like the engine. Reference your owners’ manual to see what the right transmission oil is for your car, and be sure to use it, with a long skinny plastic funnel to top-off the transmission oil when needed.
Remember folks, the automatic transmission in your car is really expensive, so take care of it to avoid costly repairs and lengthy vehicle down time.
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