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Transmission fluid isn't something you need to change often, but it is listed as a maintenance item in your owner's manual for a reason. Changing the transmission oil at its recommended interval keeps it in good working condition and prevents issues that would put you back in the market for a different vehicle. The fluid's purpose is to provide lubrication and assist in the cooling process. Skipping out of a transmission fluid change will impact your vehicle's operation and lead to expensive repairs eventually.

Overheating & Other Issues Caused by Not Changing the Transmission Oil

Transmission fluid requires a change every so often because it degrades over time. Old, degraded oil can't provide adequate lubrication, leading to increased friction and, consequently, overheating. When the temperature gets too hot (transmission fluid itself overheats when temperatures reach higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit), components begin to warp, break, and suffer severe damage. It's also worth keeping in mind that the transmission isn't the only part of your vehicle at risk. When the transmission runs hot, the engine can overheat as well.

Apart from overheating, old transmission fluid can lead to a buildup of sludge and debris that creates clogs. This not only further reduces the efficiency of the transmission but can lead to erratic shifting, delayed gear engagement, and in severe cases, total transmission failure.

Transmission Fluid Change Intervals for Manual and Automatic Transmissions

The frequency at which you should change your transmission fluid varies depending on whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. For manual transmissions, recommendations tend to be in the 30,000 to 60,000 mile range. For vehicles with manual transmissions that undergo heavy use, like towing or off-roading, the intervals will be shorter.

Automatic transmissions typically require fluid changes less frequently, with many manufacturers recommending intervals between 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Yet, just as with manual transmissions, the type of driving and the conditions under which the vehicle operates can markedly reduce these intervals.

How Long Can I Get Away without Changing the Fluid

While it's possible to drive for some time after missing your transmission fluid change interval, it's not a good practice to follow. The risk of significant damage and high repair costs far outweigh the savings from the time and expense of getting this maintenance task out of the way. Vehicles that are not driven hard may not show symptoms of transmission issues for a long time, but once problems begin, they can escalate quickly.

Transmission fluid changes and flushes are services that may be at particular risk of getting done if you're a procrastinator, so if you consider yourself among this group, it's worth taking a hard look at your car care routine . Among procrastination statistics is a study where around half of the participants attribute their procrastination to a characteristic related to the task at hand. The two most common characteristics? The undesirability of the task itself (if it is boring, for example) and whether there is a delay in consequences, good or bad, for completing the task.

With transmission fluid maintenance, you spend time and money (something many would consider unpleasant) for a service that doesn't tend to immediately cause issues (a delay in consequence). To compound matters, you don't get to see the effects of your efforts in the same way you do when you bring your vehicle in for a repair. In the case of a routine transmission fluid change, your vehicle was driving fine. You brought it in for its fluid change. It continues to drive fine. The reward isn't as apparent since it is "behind the scenes" and you never experience a lapse in performance from the transmission fluid if you change it on time (assuming there aren't leaks or other issues that occur in the future).

Cars can last a long time if you take care of them. That seems like common sense but it's easy to skip maintenance items when everything seems to be working correctly. But, while some maintenance items may not seem like an immediate concern, it doesn't mean they're less important when their time comes. Fresh transmission fluid helps prevent overheating and complete transmission failure, so that's a pretty big reason to stay on schedule with transmission service in Wilmington, NC.

Maintenance is always more cost-effective than repairs, especially when it comes to something as vital as the transmission.

I Need a Transmission Fluid Change in Wilmington, North Carolina

At Delaney Tire & Auto locations in Wilmington, we aim to provide an all-around good experience when you need automotive service in our area. We know car maintenance isn't the most fun thing to do, and you probably have other places you want to be vs a service center. That said, we know you'll love our cozy lobby areas with Wi-Fi, and if you need to be elsewhere, we also offer local shuttle service! So take it from us and take care of your transmission service on time so we don't need to see you for a transmission repair due to forgetting it.