Why You Should Never Flush Your Transmission Fluid
It’s no secret that transmission fluid is important for keeping your car running smoothly. And you’ve probably been told at some point that you need to flush or change your transmission fluid every so often.
Well, in this article, we’re going to take a look at what all of this means, and what the potential benefits/downsides are.
What does transmission flushing mean?
Transmission flushing is the process of removing all the old transmission fluid from your car and replacing it with new, clean fluid.
This is usually done using a machine that attaches to your car’s transmission and pumps the new fluid in while simultaneously draining the old fluid out.
Once your car has been flushed, all the old fluid and any debris that was in it will be gone. This can help improve your car’s shifting, extend the life of your transmission, and prevent potential problems down the road.
Transmission fluid flushing vs changing
Changing your transmission fluid is a less aggressive way of dealing with old transmission fluid. Instead of completely removing all the old fluid, only a portion is drained and then new fluid is added to top it off.
While it’s true that transmission fluid does need to be changed periodically, flushing it is generally not necessary and can actually do more harm than good. Let’s take a look at why.
Why shouldn’t you flush your transmission fluid?
Targeted ad campaigns by transmission fluid manufacturers are to blame for the widespread belief that flushing your transmission fluid is a good idea. In reality, flushing can be detrimental to the health of your car.
That’s because the chemicals in the transmission fluid can eat away at the seals in your transmission, leading to leaks. And once your transmission starts leaking, it’s only a matter of time before it fails completely.
Additionally, the process of flushing your transmission fluid can actually push debris into other areas, causing clogs and other problems.
Finally, flushing is more expensive than simply changing your transmission fluid. So, not only is it bad for your car, but it’s also a waste of money.
Final word
It’s clear that flushing your transmission fluid does have its advantages. But unless your car’s manufacturer specifically recommends transmission fluid flushing, it’s best to stick with a simple change.
You should change the transmission fluid often so that it stays clean and fresh and your car continues to run smoothly.