Typically, transmission fluid should be changed between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. An external diagnostic check will let you know if it is necessary or not. Sometimes heat can cause it to break down over time, or it can become contaminated from parts of the transmission. It is important to change the transmission fluid when recommended since the fluid lubricates the moving parts in your transmission. Without a regular flush and replenishment of transmission fluids, you are dramatically decreasing the life expectancy of your transmission as time goes on.

When it comes to transmissions, it is not always just the number of miles that have an impact on its life expectancy. Many seemingly normal driving conditions can lower your transmissions efficiency and longevity. If you are driving your car only a few miles a day, the vehicle doesn’t have a chance to warm up to the proper operation temperature and the transmission shifts through gear ranges more than it should. If you have an older car with a low amount of miles on it, you might want to get your transmission checked to make sure there hasn’t been any unnecessary strain on it.

The main reason transmission repairs cost a lot is because so much goes into these specific repairs. Transmissions are made up of literally hundreds of parts and during a major repair, each one must be removed and thoroughly inspected. Once the issue is found that part can be repaired or replaced. Then all the parts must be put back together perfectly or risk further complications. Once the parts are put back together the transmission has to be reinstalled and tested to make sure everything’s running as it should be. So, while it may seem like a lot, the time and expertise spent on this specific repair justify the high costs.