San Carlos Auto Repair

Transmission Repair & Service

Transmission repair and service doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, the key to a properly operating transmission is proper maintenance. A+ Japanese Auto Repair Inc. in San Carlos is focused on the proper maintenance, care, and fluid service intervals for your vehicles. 

How often do I need to change transmission fluid?

Most manual transmission manufacturers require transmission oil to be changed between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. Under severe driving conditions or water contamination, manual transmission fluid will need to be changed sooner.

Automatic transmission fluid change intervals are recommended at 30,000 miles and will top out at over 200,000 miles. The general rule of thumb is to visually inspect the fluid every 30,000 miles to determine how quickly the transmission fluid is deteriorating. When it gets dirty, it's best to drain and refill the fluid. 

How much does it cost to change the transmission fluid? 

Manual transmission fluid will cost between $100 - $250 to drain and fill depending on the type of fluid that is required.

To change automatic transmission fluid, it can cost between $125 and $300 depending on the type of fluid that is required by the manufacturer.

Manual Transmission Fluid

The fluid in a manual transmission has many important jobs to perform. The life of your transmission has a direct correlation with the fluid being clean and in good condition. Fluid should be changed at the regular time and mileage interval specified in the owner's manual or when the manual transmission fluid is visually dirty.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair will check your manual transmission fluid level and condition during each of the minor services. Below is an example of the color of dirty fluid vs. new fluid (Fig A.) The fluid color and smell of the fluid can tell us a lot about the condition of your vehicle's manual transmission fluid.

Automatic Transmission Fluid or Automatic Transmission Oil

When the automatic transmission fluid or automatic transmission oil is new, it is a light pink or red color and has a thin consistency with a sweet smell. As the transmission oil and the transmission components begin to wear down, particles will enter the fluid and begin to turn the fluid from red to brown.

Automatic Transmission Oil Drain and Fill

Unlike your vehicle's engine, where all the old engine oil can be drained out, a lot of the automatic transmission fluid in a transmission is held inside of various components like the torque converter, valve body, and transmission cooler lines until the engine is running and circulating. This means in some cases the fluid cannot be drained out all at once. Instead, the transmission. In fact, the typical transmission service only replaces 50% of the contaminated fluid, leaving behind 50% contaminated fluid to mix with the new ATF.

If you can, picture tiny particles moving around in suspended transmission fluid. These particles are from wear of components internally and can cause harm instead of providing proper lubrication and cooling properties. With this understanding you can see how regular maintenance is essential for the life of your vehicle's transmission. 

Below in (Fig B.) is an image of the clean transmission fluid vs. dirty transmission fluid.

Should I Rebuild or Replace My Transmission?

Whether you should rebuild or replace your transmission is determined by how bad the transmission damage is. If there are metal shavings, any external damage, or severe overheating, we would recommend to purchase a new or professionally rebuilt transmission. 

Transmission Service in San Carlos

When it comes to transmission repair and service in San Carlos, A+ Japanese Auto Repair uses the factory transmission fluid and ASE Transmission Certified Technicians. Using the factory fluid with the highest quality transmission parts and components allows A+ Japanese Auto Repair to offer our clients the piece of mind of our 24,000 mile / 24 month warranty on all auto repair.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair we are experts at transmission fluid service and repair on Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Kia, Scion, Hyundai, Isuzu, and Hybrid vehicles. If you have any further questions regarding transmission fluid, transmission shifting, or transmission replacement, book an appointment or call us 650-946-1856.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only.  It is not intended as advice for your particular vehicle, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Please consult a qualified automotive maintenance professional to determine the maintenance and repair needs for your vehicle.