Can a transmission flush be bad?

Transmission flushes have a bad rap however as some people expect a flush to fix major problems, such as slipping and stalling. The reason why transmissions fail right after a flush is not because of the flush itself, but because the transmission was not well maintained and already on the verge of failure.

Correspondingly, does flushing a transmission cause problems?

If you do a flush when there is damaged transmission material in the transmission fluid, you could cause a problem in the valve body at the bottom of the transmission. If the valve body gets gunked up with damaged transmission material, you could lose the ability to shift between gears.

One may also ask, why You Should Never flush your transmission fluid? Pressure flushing can cause aging seals to start leaking. When it leaks more than a quart it could burn up the unit. Flushing does not cause the transmission to fail but it may speed up the process because it pushed metal particles back through the system.

Secondly, are transmission flushes worth it?

Under normal driving conditions, a flush is NOT necessary at 46K miles. The shops make money on flushes, that's why they recommend them. Most transmissions are good for 100,000 miles before requiring maintenance. Maintenance is debated between a flush and a fluid drain and fill.

Should I do a transmission flush or change?

Where a transmission fluid change will only replace some of the existing fluid for new, clean fluid, a transmission fluid flush completely removes all old fluid and replaces it with new. Mechanics recommend a complete flush approximately every 60,000 miles.

18 Related Question Answers Found

How do you know if you need a transmission flush?

Things such as trouble going into gear, hard shifts or thumps between gears, slipping or jumping gears, delay in acceleration, and strange noises such as whining or grinding are all signs it's time to change the transmission fluid.

Do I really need to flush my transmission fluid?

Under normal driving conditions, a flush is NOT necessary at 46K miles. The shops make money on flushes, that's why they recommend them. Most transmissions are good for 100,000 miles before requiring maintenance. Maintenance is debated between a flush and a fluid drain and fill.

Is flushing the transmission Good or bad?

Definitely safe to do, akin to changing the oil in your engine. If the transmission is in good condition and the current fluid is still OK (ie; not burnt and blackened), then a flush should be fine. I do a drain and fill on my truck, but it does have 290k miles on it so I'm more careful.

Is it bad to change transmission fluid on high mileage?

Changing the transmission fluid on a high-mileage car is risky. Don't do it unless your transmission is running fine and the fluid is first-rate, because it can make transmission failure imminent.

Should I change transmission fluid after 100k miles?

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Changing it more often does no harm.

How often should you get a transmission flush?

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles to never.

How much should a transmission flush cost?

Average Cost and Factors

The typical price range for a transmission flush is $125 to $250 – approximately twice as much as a fluid change due to the additional fluid required (12-22 quarts instead of 5-7 quarts) to completely replace the old fluid. The average you can expect to pay is $150 for the full service.

What happens if u dont change transmission fluid?

What happens if I do not change the transmission fluid when it is recommended? Letting your car run low on transmission fluid can cause the transmission to shift improperly or not at all. It also can harm the internal parts of your transmission, which will not be properly lubricated.

Does transmission fluid clean your engine?

The oil of motor has a very high power of lubricant. But the lubricity of the transmission fluid is limited. Also transmission fluid has less detergent power as compared to motor oil. Transmission fluid keeps the engine sludge free but the engine oil controls the sludge.

Should I change my transmission fluid if it's never been changed?

If you have never changed the transmission fluid in your vehicle and have more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, should you change it now? However, fresh fluid is not a cure for gears slipping, rough shifting or other mechanical problems, so don't expect a fluid change to be a magic elixir.

How long should transmission fluid last?

Transmission fluid does need to be changed from time to time, and the most accurate answer to the question is that the fluid will usually last between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. That said, if your vehicle sustains heavy use, you could have to change the transmission fluid in as few as 15,000 miles.

How much should a transmission fluid change cost?

The cost to have your fluid changed by a dealer, service center or independent mechanic ranges from $80 to $250. The average cost is around $100 for both automatic and manual transmissions. We recommend getting the filter replaced and pan cleaned every time the fluid is changed.

How much is a transmission flush at Jiffy Lube?

Jiffy Lube's $100 automatic transmission flush, done by entry-level people, is incomplete. They will not change the automatic transmission filter, a key part of the flush, but which also violates the corporate 15-minute service rule.

Can changing transmission fluid fix problems?

In most cases, no. It's too late. Thinking that a transmission fluid flush will fix shifting issues is like expecting an engine oil change to fix a neglected worn out engine. However, there are a few instances where a transmission fluid flush along with fluid additives like Lucas transmission can fix shifting issues.