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Signs Your Transmission Fluid Is Too Old

You never want to let your transmission fluid get too old. This can cause severe and costly transmission damage. Trinity Auto Care maintains and repairs automatic and manual transmissions, and part of that preventative maintenance is replacing the old transmission fluid. Also called transmission oil, this fluid lubricates the transmission gears and other moving parts to ensure they do not cause too much friction and overheat. Transmission fluid is a hydraulic fluid that also helps your vehicle switch gears.

Ideal Transmission Fluid Conditions

Ideally, your vehicle’s transmission fluid should be bright red or red and translucent. You can see through new transmission fluid because it has not been contaminated by the transmission part wear and tear. As the transmission oil ages, it will begin to turn brown in color. This isn’t a problem at first. Light brown transmission fluid that is still translucent is still doing its job and does not need changing.

Signs the Transmission Fluid Is Old

However, there will come a point when the fluid must be changed to avoid transmission damage. Brown to dark brown to black transmission fluid is too old, and it’s time to flush it out and replace it with new fluid. The older the transmission oil gets, the more it oxidizes, and the color of the transmission fluid will not only darken, but it will also become opaque. Now, it must be changed ASAP.

Transmission Maintenance

Here’s where things get a little tricky. If you searched online to find out how often you should have your transmission fluid changed, you’d see answers ranging from every 30,000 miles to every 100,000 miles. This vehicle service is specific to your vehicle make, model, year, and the type of transmission fluid it uses. Check your owner’s manual and stick to the recommended factory-scheduled maintenance plan.

Signs of Transmission Fluid Problems

If you end up with signs of transmission fluid problems or other transmission trouble, have the transmission inspected right away. The longer you wait to address transmission problems, the more damage you do to the transmission. Signs of transmission problems include leaks from the center of your automobile, pink transmission fluid (this is serious), and grinding or slipping gears.

You can count on Trinity Auto Care in White Bear Lake, MN, for all of your automotive service needs, including transmission maintenance and repair. Call us to schedule an appointment for your transmission fluid flush. We know you’re busy, so we’ll get you in and out of our shop as quickly as possible.

Photo by Chat9780 from Getty Images via Canva Pro
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