Fluid serviceCUTLER BAYFL MV52365
Transmission fluid service, with the right fluid
Fluid is the one maintenance item a transmission has, and the wrong fluid or the wrong level does real damage. We drain or exchange it, replace the filter where the unit has one, and set the level the way the manufacturer specifies for your transmission.
01
When to service the fluid
- At the interval in your owner's manual, sooner if you tow or drive in stop-and-go traffic
- Fluid that is dark brown instead of red, or smells burnt
- After a repair that opened the system
- Before a long trip if the last service was years ago
02
How we do it
- 01
Check first
Level, color, smell and debris. If the fluid shows internal damage, a service will not fix it, and we tell you that instead.
- 02
Drain or exchange
Pan drop and filter change, or a full fluid exchange, depending on the unit and its condition.
- 03
The right fluid
Modern transmissions are fluid-specific. We use the fluid the unit calls for, not a universal substitute.
- 04
Set the level
Many units are level-checked at a specific temperature. We set it that way.
03
Good to know
- A high-pressure flush on a transmission that is already slipping can finish it off. We check before we recommend one.
- Sealed transmissions still have fluid, and it still wears out.
- A fluid service is maintenance, not a repair for slipping or hard shifts; see the symptoms page for what those mean.
FAQ
Questions we get asked
How often should transmission fluid be changed?
Follow the interval in your owner's manual, and shorten it if you tow, carry loads or sit in traffic daily. If you do not know the last service, have the fluid checked.
Is a transmission flush the same as a fluid change?
No. A fluid change drains what is in the pan and replaces the filter. An exchange or flush replaces nearly all the fluid including what is in the converter and cooler. Which one fits depends on the unit and its condition.
Will a fluid change fix slipping?
Usually not. Slipping means clutch material is worn or a hydraulic circuit is not holding pressure. Fresh fluid can help a marginal case briefly but does not repair the cause.
Related
Bring it in. We will tell you what it is.
Open until 8 PM Monday to Saturday at 10715 SW 190th St, Cutler Bay.