Transmission Flush vs. Transmission Fluid Change
Let’s Talk About Your Transmission Fluid
Second to your engine, your transmission is one of the most expensive and complex components of your vehicle. Your transmission is a gearbox that ensures that the power from your engine is transferred to your vehicle's wheels so that you may drive forward or backward. Your transmission is critical for vehicle operation, so it's important that you keep your transmission well-maintained to promote vehicle reliability. Failing to maintain your transmission or perform timely transmission flushes can result in diminished performance, irreversible damage, and can even lead to the need for a new transmission.
At Martin Tire Company, our ASE-certified mechanics in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo make it easy for you to keep your vehicle in its best shape. We perform quality transmission fluid flushes to ensure that your vehicle is always ready for your next road trip. Let's talk about the difference between a transmission fluid flush versus a transmission fluid change, and find out which one is best for your vehicle.
When your vehicle is due for service, be sure to schedule service at Martin Tire Company and enjoy trusted transmission service by certified professionals.
Understanding the Purpose of a Transmission Fluid Flush
Your transmission is a complex component of your vehicle. A transmission consists of gears that move and slide into place so that power is transferred to your wheels in different ratios. The more gears your transmission has, the more complex your transmission will be. Fifty years ago, most transmissions had two speeds with an overdrive gear; however, transmissions today have as many as 10 speeds and feature multiple overdrive gears.
Transmission fluid is a lubricant that coats these gears to ensure that friction is minimized, and heat from the moving gears is dissipated. Additionally, transmission fluid helps prevent contaminants and debris from damaging your transmission by capturing these contaminants and particles, which then get trapped in your transmission fluid filter.
Over time, your transmission fluid can get dirty from contaminants and oxidation, which can cause problems for your transmission’s smooth operation. Before your transmission is compromised, it's important to perform a transmission fluid flush to ensure that your transmission is operating in ideal conditions with the protection that it needs.
The Difference Between a Transmission Fluid Flush and an Exchange
You may hear the terms “transmission fluid flush” and “transmission fluid change” being used interchangeably. However, these are two different services:
Transmission Flush
When a transmission flush is performed, one of our certified mechanics will use a specialized machine to connect to one of your transmission lines. This machine strategically removes all of the old fluid from your transmission, including the old grime and contaminants from your transmission, which can be detrimental to its performance. This service minimizes the risk of your torque converter and other vital transmission lines from becoming clogged by gunk and contamination that can build in your system over time.
Transmission Fluid Exchange
When a transmission fluid exchange is performed, your old transmission fluid is simply drained by opening the drain plug at the bottom of your transmission and allowing gravity to let the fluid drain through the opening. Once empty, new fluid goes into your transmission, and you're set to get back on the road.
Is One Service Better than the Other?
A transmission flush is better than a transmission fluid exchange.
On average, a transmission fluid change drains less than half of the total fluid in your transmission. This is because your transmission has many nooks, crannies, and fluid lines where your transmission fluid can stay stagnant. Simply opening the drain port and letting fluid flow out freely will not cause these fluid lines and other nooks and crannies of your transmission to empty.
Because a transmission fluid change drains less than half of the total fluid in your transmission, when your transmission is refilled with fresh fluid, the old fluid that was left behind can contaminate the new fluid. For the best protection, we recommend you have a transmission fluid flush performed on your vehicle.
A transmission fluid flush thoroughly cleans out your system and promotes your transmission to operate in the best possible environment. A transmission flush forces fluid through your transmission, effectively cleaning out the nooks and crannies where dirty fluid can hide, and clears out lines with contaminant buildup.
How Often Should This Transmission Service Be Performed?
We recommend that you perform a transmission flush every 100,000 miles to ensure that your transmission is always operating under ideal conditions. When this service is performed, we also recommend that your transmission fluid filter be replaced. This is where many contaminants can become trapped when they should otherwise flow freely in your system and surround the gears in your transmission.
A Transmission Flush Isn’t an Automatic Fix for Transmission Issues
A transmission fluid flush can improve mild symptoms of harsh shifting and hesitation that can be caused by old, contaminated fluid. After a transmission fluid flush, you may notice that your vehicle shifts smoother, and that your transmission operates better than before. However, it is important to note that a transmission fluid flush is not always the answer to transmission troubles. Vehicles with high mileage that have never experienced a fluid flush are not recommended to get one. This is because excess build-up from contaminants and debris solidify and form a sludge. If too much sludge builds up in your transmission, and a transmission flush is performed, new fluid can cause stubborn sludge to loosen and cause damage to your transmission.
If you are having transmission issues, before performing a transmission fluid flush, we recommend that you chat with one of our expert mechanics to hear our best advice on your particular vehicle.
Schedule a Service at Martin Tire Company
At Martin Tire Company, we can handle all of your vehicle's transmission maintenance needs. From our expert transmission flush services, performed by our ASE-certified mechanics to the high-quality fluid that we’ll use for your vehicle, there's no better place to come for trustworthy and affordable transmission maintenance services.
In addition to our already competitive prices, we also feature auto repair and service coupons that allow you to save even more on routine maintenance services that promote reliability and longevity for your vehicle.
Schedule a service at our auto repair shops in El Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo today, and trust all of your vehicle's automotive needs to our certified master technicians!
