Do I need to change my automatic transmission fluid?
Routine
maintenance is part of vehicle ownership, whether you own or lease a Ford or
any other make. That includes your oil and filter changes, tire services, and
other car maintenance items. An often-overlooked item is the automatic
transmission fluid change, but it’s in your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Is
it really necessary? Here’s some valuable information about transmission
services, courtesy of your Southern
California Ford Dealers.
What an
Automatic Transmission Fluid Service Does
Just like
changing the oil in your engine, the fluid inside your automatic transmission
needs to be changed from time to time. It serves several important purposes.
Removes Harmful
Particles
While you use
your Ford car, truck, or SUV, it’s only natural that some wear occurs. Tiny
metal particles separate from internal components like gears and clutches. The
transmission oil itself deteriorates and small deposits can form inside the
transmission. Left on its own, it can take harm your automatic transmission
through premature wear or even sudden failure.
An automatic
transmission fluid change removes these harmful bits, keeping your transmission
healthy for years to come.
Enhances
Transmission Cooling Ability
It’s no
surprise that transmissions build up a lot of heat! The primary component to
cool the transmission’s vital parts is the fluid, bar none. Fluid circulates
throughout the transmission, cooling moving parts and carrying the heat away to
the transmission fluid cooler. Low or dirty transmission fluid simply can’t
perform the same as clean fluid inside.
Changing the
transmission fluid as part of your routine car maintenance helps prevent
problems associated with high temperatures and overheating.
Ensures Proper
Lubrication
Just like
engine oil, transmission fluid breaks down with time and use. When transmission
fluid has passed its best years has been well used for tens of thousands of miles,
it starts to break down at the molecular level. That’s when excessive internal
wear occurs, putting you at risk of transmission failure.
Good, clean
transmission fluid coats moving parts and provides a cushioning layer to
prevent them from hitting and rubbing.
When Should an
Automatic Transmission Fluid Change Be Performed?
The best time
to have your automatic transmission serviced is when the maintenance schedule says it’s due. For many Ford vehicles
under normal use, the service interval is around 150k miles.
However, there
are reasons you may need to have your automatic transmission fluid changed
sooner. If you tow regularly or if you drive in severe conditions, it’s prudent
to have it changed based on condition, not mileage.
When you schedule
a service appointment with your local Southern California Ford Dealer,
the transmission fluid level and condition is checked on every visit. If the
fluid needs to be changed before its suggested mileage, you’ll be advised.
Routine transmission maintenance is important for your vehicle’s health, and to make sure you enjoy your Ford ownership experience as long as possible. Contact your local Ford service center or schedule your service appointment online for reliable service from factory-trained technicians at your local Ford dealer in Southern California.
https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/maintenance/maintenance-schedule.html#/details