Transmission fluid cost full#

Then, place the transmission in park or neutral as specified in your owner’s manual.ģ. Apply the brake pedal and move the gear selector through all gear positions, pausing for a few seconds in each. Stop the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking brake and allow the engine to idle.Ģ. You can check the fluid level in six easy steps:ġ. Around 15 minutes of driving is typically required to fully warm up the transmission.

Transmission fluid cost full#

On vehicles that have dipsticks, the automatic transmission fluid level should be checked monthly with the transmission at full operating temperature and the engine idling. Even some cars with dipsticks use 'lifetime' fluids that either never need changing, or are changed only at extended intervals that can exceed 100,000 miles. As long as the transmission has no leaks, the fluid will remain at the proper level. Many late-model cars use synthetic “lifetime” transmission fluids and have sealed transmissions without a dipstick to check the fluid level. When topping up or changing transmission fluid, make sure the product used by the auto repair shop meets the requirements stated in your owner’s manual.Īutomatic transmissions have become marvels of precision and durability in recent years.

Failure to use the proper fluid can affect shift quality, reduce transmission life and may void your car’s warranty. While some companies market “universal” transmission fluids, most vehicle manufacturers have proprietary specifications for the fluids used in their automatic transmissions. Modern automatic transmission fluids are carefully formulated chemical compounds and are often developed for specific transmission designs.