As many of you know, having a car doesn't just mean turning on the engine, accelerating and stopping when we don't have to use it. This is why maintenance tasks become essential in everyday life, saving us major expenses in the future. Changing the gearbox oil is especially important to achieve this.
They do them for us in the workshop or we do them ourselves, the most frequent task when keeping the car in good condition is the verification of the various fluids. From water to motor oil, passing through the automatic gearbox oil (something that is often not taken into account).
If we dare to do it ourselves, in addition to checking if the oil level of the automatic gearbox is adequate (something that we have already explained a while ago in this article) we will also have to replace the fluid every certain type or km traveled.
When to change gearbox oil
The maintenance of an automatic transmission depends mainly on two factors. First the exchange rate we have is very important. is not the same a double clutch transmission type DSG of the Volkswagen Group and one of continuous variator as the VTC of Toyota. Second, it also depends a lot on the type of use given to the change. With sporty driving, the life of the gearbox fluid is greatly shortened compared to a more leisurely drive. On the contrary, if take good care of the automatic transmission it can last much longer.
Now, leaving aside the variables, a usual figure to change the gearbox oil is every 60.000 km or two years. Most manufacturers hover around these values to make the change in official revisions, regardless of the type of change they have. Still we put some examples of different brands to give you an idea:
- to the automatic changes of six-speed dual-clutch DSG of the Volkswagen group the fluid is changed every 60.000 kilometers. The same goes for the type of Porsche PDKs.
- To automatic gearboxes Mercedes 7G-Tronic Plus the liquid is changed in a much more variable range of kilometers, depending on the use that is given to it. It is between 50.000 and 125.000 km
- to conventional automatic gearboxes torque converter, which are called Steptronic at BMW o Tiptronic at the Volkswagen Group, the oil and filter are changed at 60.000 km.
- in the boxes of continuous variator changes The fluid change is done every 90.000 km approximately.
What oil to use for your automatic transmission
As we have already mentioned, there are many types of automatic transmissions and not all of them have the same needs. That's why the liquids they use vary a lot depending on the manufacturer's specifications. If you take the car to a workshop you will have no problems, but if you decide to replace it yourself you must be clear about what fluid to use. There are a large number of types of oil for a car's automatic gearbox, but there are a number of notions that must be clear beforehand.
In most cases, the name of the liquid has an acronym that indicates what type of exchange it is indicated for. We detail the meaning of the main acronyms So you don't get confused about it:
- DCTF: these acronyms mean Double Clutch Transmission Fluid, which translated means Liquid for Double Clutch Transmission. can be found for little money.
- ATF: these acronyms mean Automatic Transmission Fluid, which translated simply means Automatic Transmission Fluid. This fluid is usually suitable for conventional automatic transmissions such as the torque converter. They can also be found cheap., but as with any oil, you must make sure that it is compatible with your car.
- CVTF: it means Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid, that is, Continuous Variator Transmission Fluid. May be slightly more expensive, but there are very good prices.
You should also take into account the specific variant that your gearbox needs. If you need a liquid synthetic or organic, if you need a liquid to high performance or not. Look at the specific type that your gearbox needs in the manual or ask in the store so as not to make a mistake.
Symptoms of lack of oil in the automatic gearbox
Once you have it clear, and if you prefer to change the gearbox oil yourself instead of in a workshop, there is a section that gives some guidelines at the end of the article on how to check automatic gearbox oil levels. If the change is not made in time, heating can be generated excessive change, caused in many cases by contamination of the liquid, as happens in the engine oil, or what is more serious, the possible breakage of the gearbox.
When the automatic gearbox begins to lack oil, anomalies will be noticed in its operation. If you know the car well you will notice them soon, because they are usually vibes y little jerks. The latter are especially noticeable when starting the march and, sometimes, in the passage between certain marches. It is also possible to notice a lower acceleration of the car and some somewhat slower or somewhat faster changes, depending on the automatic gearbox model.
AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OIL SPILLS? EVEN WHEN THERE ARE TRANSMISSION SEALANTS TO AVOID THE LEAK. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME IN THE 1998 BLAZER THAT I HAVE.
THANK YOU,
MON
Hi
I have a Hyundai accent Solaris from 2019, it is only one year old and two months in circulation, I did the maintenance from 20k to 21k two Saturdays ago and since Wednesday it has been making a strange buzzing sound when I accelerated, someone who heard the sound told me that it needs to be changed of transmission oil, but from what I've read here it shouldn't be requiring that oil change. Does anyone here have an idea what might be going on?
I had a Ford Fiesta and I got a very bad change and also consumed a lot!
hello good evening, in general the oil is changed when the color is not red as it was originally. You should compare the oil in your car with new, unused oil. THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO CHANGE IT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC GEARBOX IS REPAIRED. Sometimes it can present solid residues, almost always black, on the dipstick: It is a sign of remains or bits of some of the internal parts of the box, this is a symptom of wear on the box, which tells you that you should repair it. although there are no faults. I have had several cars with large engines like the FORD 400 and I only changed it after 10 years. when I repaired the automatic gearbox. It is also advisable to apply the additive to improve the viscosity of the oil, annually. The final recommendation is that if the box does not fail you, keep using it, do not give yourself a bad life, but check it daily to prevent and follow the advice given here, LUCK AND I HOPE I HAVE HELPED YOU.
Hey.
I think this page is great. And above all, very interesting.
I have a doubt and I would like, if possible, to be clarified.
Is it true that not all transmission fluid should be changed, that part should always be left?
If not, is it okay to replace all the old fluid with new fluid and even clean the transmission filter?
There are already two of us with the same curiosity, and they told me that if you do everything you put a new filter and change the oil, the car can get out of control because you never do it, so they recommended that I only change the oil, that is, they are going to leave 20% and 80% will do new and psz I don't know I'm in doubt I still don't know what to do
Many years working as a mechanic and in the USA, car transmissions and trucks or tractors, making a change as the manufacturer orders and after 10 years you help it with a good additive, it can last many years, working some transmissions they had late maintenance or many Kms or miles did not work well again, we even returned their clean old oil to many but it never worked as before, even costers who demand maintenance that they never did, Recommendation to follow the maintenance manual and indicated oil and filter.
Thank you for your very valuable comments.
I have a 2009 sentra and I changed the oil at 66 kilometers because on the highway it did not allow to go more than 80 kilometers, so that indicates that it should have been changed at 60 kilometers.
Someone honest...could tell me...safely...and with knowledge...when the automatic transmission oil can be changed...if the car gives signs to ensure the change...
I have a 2018 chevreolet spark... and sometimes I hear a sound in the front tires... like when the rubber sticks and it usually makes a tickling sound... this has to do with the box...
Someone honest...could tell me...safely...and with knowledge...when the automatic transmission oil can be changed...if the car gives signs to ensure the change...
I have a 2018 chevreolet spark... and sometimes I hear a sound in the front tires... like when the rubber sticks and it usually makes a tickling sound... this has to do with the box...
My name is Alvaro Alvarado and I need an answer to my email (which I will leave below this question);
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA 2007 AUTOMATIC AND TRICTONIC CVT BOX due to price problems (because I don't have much money to do it) I want to use KENDAL SYNTHETIC OIL for CVT box, will I be able to do it?
Thank you very much for your reply
my email is: alvaradoalvaro92@yahoo.es
I have a Nissan Qashqai year 2012 with sequential automatic gearbox after how many km should I change the gearbox oil and what type or brand of oil?
I have a BMW 128i, from 2008, with 90000 km, they tell me that the oils in the box are not changed, when I start it has a small knock, and sometimes when it is cold this knock increases in the changes or exits, this model is discontinued by BM, but they are very good and strong
weekly
WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD CHANGE THE OIL IN MY 2002 KIA SPECTRA CAR, AND NOW WE ARE IN 2018, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE EVER CHANGED IT, AND WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO CHANGE IT NOW, WHICH FLUID WILL BE.
Very good information and explanation given on this page.
friends to be aware that the vehicle requires its scheduled maintenance for kilometers of travel and thus avoid bad times on the roads and attack your pocket.
I recommend replacing 5 km with multigrade mineral oil and 000 km with synthetic oil, and extend the useful life of your engine and turbocharger if you have one.
regards
Javier usually has to drain all the dirty oil to replace it with a new one.
Do not leave residues so it could contaminate the clean oil, in some workshops they add oil without additives for cleaning and drain again to just add the oil recommended by the manufacturer.
Greetings.
GOOD NIGHT, I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC MAZDA 626 MILLENNIUM, IT IS BOTHERING THE REVERSE I DON'T HIT IT CORRECTLY, I HAVE TO SPEED UP SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO TAKE IT, IT WILL BE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE THE OIL, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED IN A LONG TIME.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
THANK YOU
ATT
ALEXANDER ORTIZ
Good, I have a 2008 Volkswagen Bora Gli and it happened to me that I was in heavy traffic for an hour on 2 different days and on a slope and the DSG box overheated, what should I do first?
change the oil or what
When having problems in the automatic box, always check the converter first, because if the converter has faults, it is transmitted to the entire box, increasing the temperature of the fluid, creating wear on the wings and increasing friction, this ends in splinters coming out. of metal that are directed to the box, creating failures, in the case of if you want to save money, the problem of the gear that costs to enter is due to lubrication, change the transmission fluid, empty it completely and then put the fluid that it recommends maker.
When having problems in the automatic box, always check the converter first, because if the converter has faults, this is transmitted to the entire box, increasing the temperature of the fluid, creating wear in the alaves and increasing friction, this ends in splinters coming out. of metal that are directed to the box, creating failures and continuous wear, in the case of saving money, the problem that it is difficult to enter the gears is due to lubrication, change the liquid in the box, emptying all the previous one and putting a new one indicating manufacturer.
Hello, as I have read, the dsg changes are every 69 thousand km, the Skoda told me that mine is at 120 thousand, is that correct?
Good afternoon, I have a 15 nissan sentra B2005 automatic, it is presenting me with the fault that I must wait at least five minutes so that it can start in the morning, then it does all the normal changes and every time the vehicle is off for a while I have to wait almost the same time for it to start, it already has 300.000 kilometers and I think they have never changed the oil in the box, would it be advisable to do it or what do you recommend please
I HAVE A HONDA ODISSEY YOU HAVE 165.000 THOUSAND MILES YOU HAVE NEVER CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL, A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD CHANGE THE FLUID, IS THAT NECESSARY AT THAT NUMBER OF MILES?
Hello good afternoon, my vehicle is a Mazda 3 triptonic and I made the change in July of last year, I only use it to go to and from work and eventually some outing but it is neither far nor frequent. When do you advise me to change the transmission oil again?
I await your kind response.
Hello, I intend to buy a hybrid kia niro, but the doubt I have is the automatic transmission, we are talking about 80.000 km a year, if anyone knows this change, I would appreciate information and also its maintenance, thanks
Oil change triptonic transmission Vento 2019 with 17000 Km when to do it…. thanks x your comments…
What happens is that it is said you just change the oil and the problems that I have begin.
Hi there. I have a subaru impreza 2010 automatic 1.5. I bought it 2 months ago, the last maintenance at the dealership was at 32 thousand kilometers. And the rest the second owner in local workshops. Now that we have the car, it has 99 kilometers and we take maintenance of the 100 to the dealer. And also because a week ago the car started to stop running normally out of nowhere. And the at oil light appeared on the screen intermittently. At the dealer they tell us that the Box is bad and has to be changed. The time we have it no problem. Good start, no high revs. Jerks of changes only when it was overloaded. We can not understand what, the box is broken if the mileage is not for it to be due to lack of maintenance. We checked the gearbox oil and it's light brown.
Today for the first time the gear lever got stuck in Parking of my Suzuki 2008 2.0 4×4 automatic.
Somebody could help me.
My dash shows me fe 4x4 blinket lights and transmission fault light.
Graciad
Horace Gutierrez
I have a peugeot 206 1.6cc year 2003 automatic
What oil do you recommend for the automatic gearbox...??