How Often Should You Service Your Transmission?

Many people recognize the importance of having their vehicle’s oil changed. However, fewer fully understand the necessity of other routine car maintenance tasks, such as having their transmission serviced. To keep one of your vehicle’s most vital and costly components in tip-top shape, consult this guide on how often you should service your transmission.

What Is a Transmission Service?

Also known as a transmission flush, a transmission service involves flushing out the old transmission fluid in your transmission and replacing it with new fluid. Unlike a transmission change that only replaces some of the old transmission fluid, a transmission service fully drains the existing transmission fluid and replaces it completely. In most cases, having your transmission serviced will cost between $100 and $200 depending on the make and model of your vehicle as well as where you have the service completed.

Benefits of Having Your Transmission Serviced

Having your transmission serviced has numerous notable advantages. For example, a transmission service can allow your transmission to run more smoothly and efficiently as well as prevent maintenance issues. However, the most significant benefit of having your transmission serviced is that doing so can increase the overall lifespan of your transmission. Because transmission repairs and replacements can often cost thousands of dollars, spending a few hundred bucks on a transmission service every few years is often well worth it.

When To Have Your Transmission Serviced

So, exactly how often should you service your transmission? Well, unfortunately, there isn’t one clear answer. Ultimately, how often you will need to service your transmission will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, your driving habits, your driving conditions, and other pertinent factors. That said, most vehicle manufacturers generally recommend having manual transmissions serviced between 30,000 and 60,000 miles and automatic transmissions serviced between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. 

Ideally, however, you should check your transmission fluid on a regular basis to determine if you need to have it flushed and replaced. If you notice that the fluid appears discolored, smells burnt, or has become contaminated with dirt or debris, you should have your transmission serviced regardless of how many miles you have driven.

In addition to having your transmission serviced, having faulty components repaired and replaced as quickly as possible can also help extend the lifespan of your transmission. Transparts Warehouse is a leading provider of transmission components and replacement parts, ranging from transfer cases to transmission coolers for sale. To find the parts you need to keep your transmission running smoothly for years to come, shop our substantial online inventory today.