Keep Your Car Humming: The Benefits of Regular Transmission Fluid Flushes
When functioning correctly, your car's transmission helps your engine run at its peak. An automatic transmission shifts from one gear to another to optimize your engine's performance. The transmission accomplishes its task through intricate moving gears and shifting. Transmission fluid helps keep these gears well-lubricated, friction-free, and operating smoothly.
Over time, the transmission fluid wears down and becomes less effective. Replacing the spent fluid with fresh transmission fluid can improve your vehicle's performance. You can trust the experts at Martin Tire Company in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo to keep your transmission in tip-top shape.
Schedule Transmission Fluid Flush Service
What a Transmission Flush Involves
Unlike transmission repair, a transmission fluid flush is much less involved. A transmission fluid flush requires auto mechanics to replace the old fluid with fresh liquid. Since automatic transmission fluid is responsible for more than lubrication, removing the spent fluid requires steadily releasing pressure.
Once the old fluid is removed, the replacement fluid can be added to restore the hydraulic pressure it needs incrementally. While the process is much less involved than a complete transmission repair, it still requires skill and patience.
Benefits of a Routine Transmission Flush
Replacing the transmission fluid in your vehicle can help your car's performance in several ways. While it is not necessary as often as other maintenance, like your oil change, your transmission fluid should be on your maintenance radar.
Here are a few ways a routine transmission flush by a transmission shop can benefit your vehicle.
1. Improved Transmission Performance
When the transmission fluid is fresh, it helps your transmission to function correctly. The transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for the gears and bearings in your transmission. When these moving pieces have the lubrication and flow they need, they can function optimally, increasing the efficiency of your transmission.
In automatic transmissions, the transmission fluid is also responsible for hydraulic pressure. If that pressure is lessened due to old or ineffective transmission fluid, the transmission's performance can decrease. Replacing the liquid in an automatic transmission will help restore the hydraulic pressure to allow the transmission to function optimally.
2. Increased Longevity
Consistency and maintenance are always the best ways to increase the longevity of your vehicle. Much like how an oil change can help improve the life of your engine, a regular transmission fluid flush can help prolong your transmission’s lifespan. A well-maintained transmission can help avoid costly repairs and future trips to the transmission shop.
3. Reduced Friction
As your transmission fluid deteriorates, the gears and bearings become less fluid in their motion. The lack of efficient lubrication can cause friction as the transmission shifts between gears. This friction, while minor at first, could cause gears to slip or fail to shift entirely. If left unattended, this would lead to a severe transmission issue and a much more costly repair.
If a transmission shop executes a fluid flush before it’s too late, it could help prevent further damage.
4. Better Fuel Economy
If your transmission can run optimally, your engine can increase your fuel economy. Maintaining A fluid flush change for your transmission can dramatically increase your fuel economy. When your engine isn't compensating for the lack of efficiency in your transmission, it can save you trips to the gas pump.
5. Smoother Gear Shifts
Naturally, your gears will have a smoother transition with fresh, clean transmission fluid. Not only will they be better lubricated, but the hydraulic pressure they need will be restored. After a fluid flush for your transmission, you should experience an easier time shifting between gears.
6. More Cost Effective
Though a transmission fluid flush is not the same as a transmission repair, it can help with many issues in your vehicle. If an auto mechanic can perform a transmission fluid flush instead of a complete transmission repair, it can save you thousands of dollars at the transmission shop. A good mechanic will be able to help you determine the best service for your vehicle.
When to Have a Transmission Fluid Flush
Transmission fluid flushes should be a part of your vehicular maintenance. Even though they won't happen every year, you should keep a record of your previous fluid flushes. While a fluid flush is typically only necessary every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, if you're experiencing any issues with your transmission, a fluid flush may be needed sooner.
Here are a few signs that may tell you that you need a transmission fluid flush change:
- Difficulty shifting between gears
- Skipping or slipping gears
- Loud engine noises
- Shaking while driving
- Hesitation in acceleration
- Failing to shift gears
- Grinding gear noises
Any of these signs is a signal that something is wrong. It's important to have a transmission shop take a look as soon as possible.
Trust Martin Tire Company With Your Transmission Repair
If you need a transmission shop you can trust, the experts at Martin Tire Company are here for you. Our ASE-certified mechanics in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo have the skills and tools to get your transmission back into optimal shape. Our crew has you covered.
