Most drivers know the importance of changing their motor oil. Without refreshing this vital fluid at regular intervals, your car's internal engine parts will wear and fail. Damage of this type can be costly and may even be enough to scrap the rest of the vehicle. However, the importance of motor oil can overshadow another vital fluid: transmission oil.

Your transmission relies on gear oil for lubrication, cooling, and even shifting. Old transmission fluid or low fluid levels can lead to erratic transmission behavior. Inadequately maintained fluid could even lead to transmission damage and failure. Learning how to handle this maintenance item properly can help you avoid thousands of dollars in transmission rebuilds or replacements.

Understanding Transmission Fluid Intervals

Unlike motor oil, the change intervals for transmission fluid can vary wildly between manufacturers. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, your manufacturer may recommend changing your fluid every 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, or never. While many automakers still include transmission fluid as part of their routine maintenance schedule, others use "lifetime" fluid with no replacement interval.

Deciding how often to replace your fluid can be a matter of some contention. In general, it's a good idea to stick with your manufacturer's recommendations. Your car's owner's manual should also list the appropriate type of fluid to use in your transmission. If your vehicle uses a lifetime fluid, you may need to conduct some research to find a suitable replacement.

Doing the Job Right

There's more to replacing transmission fluid than just draining the old oil and pouring some new oil into the housing. For many cars, draining the fluid involves dropping the pan on the bottom of the transmission. This process allows the fluid to drain out, but it can be messy and slightly more involved than loosening a motor oil drain bolt.

Once the old fluid is out, it's necessary to replace the gasket around the drain pan. This gasket can become plasticized with time, and removing it can create tiny cracks that may lead to transmission fluid leaks. Installing a new gasket ensures that this essential maintenance task doesn't create more problems in the future.

Since changing your transmission fluid requires a bit more knowledge and effort than changing motor oil, it's a task that's usually best performed by an experienced repair shop. Not only will qualified technicians know the proper procedure, but they can also advise you on the best time to replace your fluid and the best fluid to use to maintain your transmission's performance.

To learn more about auto transmission fluid draining, visit a auto service near you.