For car owners, few things are as important as a healthy transmission. A transmission is what converts your car’s gasoline into forward motion. Transmission service is among the most expensive repairs to have done on your vehicle, especially if it is a full transmission replacement. One of the ways you can prevent the need for transmission service is by properly using transmission fluid in your car. In today’s blog post, Crossroads Ford Lincoln looks at how often you should change the transmission fluid in your vehicle. 

What Does Transmission Fluid Do?

Transmission fluid is the primary lubricant for your vehicle’s gearbox. As the gears are at work, they can begin to grind on each other and wear down. Transmission fluid prevents them from rubbing against each other and keeps your gearbox working smoothly. Transmission fluid also keeps the gearbox cool and prevents overheating. There are several types of transmission fluid, designed specifically for automatic and manual transmissions. There are also traditional and synthetic transmission fluids, similar to motor oil. Choosing which transmission fluid to use depends on the type of vehicle you have. 

Why Is Transmission Fluid Important?

Your transmission is absolutely vital to the health of your vehicle. For this reason, you shouldn’t limit changing transmission fluid to the regularly scheduled date. There aren’t many clear warning signs that there is a problem with your transmission, so being proactive with transmission fluid is the best preventative measure you can take to mitigate a more expensive transmission service. And because a transmission replacement is so costly, transmission fluid is crucial. 

How Often Should You Change Transmission Fluid?

This question all depends on the type of vehicle you have and the condition of the transmission. For manual transmissions, most manufacturers suggest a change every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. However, automatic transmissions operate at a higher heat level, produce more carbon, and contaminate the fluid quicker. Most manufacturers suggest a change at 30,000 miles. Some vehicles come with a lifetime guarantee on transmission fluid, but it’s still essential to check and make sure that the fluid level isn’t low because a leak could develop without you knowing about it.

Contact Crossroads Ford for Transmission Services 

If you are looking for transmission services, Crossroads Ford Lincoln can help. To get a better idea of what we have to offer, give us a call at (502) 695-1990 or contact us online today.