At some point, your mechanic has likely recommended a transmission flush for your vehicle. This service ranges in price depending on several factors, but it is a necessary aspect of maintaining and extending the life of your car’s transmission. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect this procedure since it only comes up every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Nonetheless, understanding the importance of a transmission flush can help you understand one of the basic needs of every automobile – clean fluid.
What is Transmission Fluid and How Does it Work?
Just as oil lubricates the engine, transmission fluid–a type of oil with a certain viscosity–cools and lubricates the gears of a transmission. When this liquid breaks down and loses its perfect viscosity, it can no longer maintain balance in the transmission, leading to excessive heat, wear and tear. As a result, the transmission could fail completely.
What Does a Transmission Flush Do?
A complete transmission flush not only replaces old fluid with new but cleans the entire transmission. As such, new oil (and sometimes additional cleaning agents) get pumped into the transmission using special equipment.
A full flush works better than a simple drain and replacement of fluid for a couple of reasons. First, it reduces and sometimes eliminates contaminants, dirt and debris that build up over time. Also, draining leaves some fluid in the transmission (some estimate only 20 to 40 percent of the total volume drains), while a flush clears out all old oil.
As with other fluid maintenance, this process extends the life of your vehicle by minimizing wear and tear on other engine components.
How Much Does a Transmission Flush Cost?
In general, a transmission flush can run between $125 and $300, but several factors affect the cost:
- Your vehicle’s year, make and model – high-end cars cost more.
- Your city – prices can vary depending on the general cost of living in your area.
- The shop itself – dealerships normally cost more than quick lubes or independent mechanics.
- The equipment used – cooler line and pump inlet are the most common.
- The type of coolant – synthetic costs more than regular transmission fluid.
- The amount of fluid – it varies with the size of the engine.
- Additional Services – pan removal and filter replacement will add to the cost but enhance the quality of the flush.
Your vehicle’s fluids should always be a top priority, as they ensure longevity and high performance. If you’ve never had a transmission flush, call the experts at Heath’s Auto Service and schedule an appointment today!
