Transmission Fluid Change Prices & Cost Estimates (2024)

FAQs

Transmission Fluid Change Prices & Cost Estimates? ›

Prices can vary widely, but in general, a transmission fluid change would be $150-175 and for a transmission fluid flush, expect to pay around $165-$290. Of course, that's only an estimate. If your fluid is in particularly poor condition (through neglect or contamination), your bill could be higher.

Typically, this procedure costs between $80 and $250. Why such a wide range?

Increases Transmission Lifespan

Your transmission is one of the more expensive parts of your vehicle, so you should try to make it last as long as possible by having it flushed regularly. Routine transmission flushes are especially important if your car uses an automatic transmission.

A theory here is that flushing can dislodge debris that's trapped in some of the internal passages, allowing it to clog up other passages downstream. It could also blow out old seals that are otherwise doing their job.

If you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you have automatic, you can typically boost that range up to 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's no harm in changing your fluid early.

A: Honda recommends changing the transmission fluid at 120,000 miles and — for most drivers — that would be about 10 years. Some technicians believe that flushing or even a drain and refill of a transmission that hasn't been serviced in 20 years could cause some problems.

Get your transmission fluid changed at the right intervals based on the maintenance schedule. That will ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. Otherwise, if you never change your transmission fluid, your transmission will start to slip. Your car won't run as well.

Regular transmission fluid changes can improve fuel efficiency, reduce wear and tear on the transmission system, and result in smoother gear changes.

The simple answer is “yes,” but there are a few caveats to that affirmative answer. Because changing your transmission fluid with a flush makes the transmission system run better, you'll often experience improved fuel economy as a result as well.

Changing transmission fluid is one of those messy jobs that someone has to do. Doing the deed yourself will save money, possibly time and fresh ATF can make your gearbox perform young beyond its years. It's also relatively easy to determine when your ATF may be low.

What is included in a transmission fluid change? ›

Beyond just changing the filter and fluid, a standard transmission service will include an external inspection of other key transmission components like the pan gasket and transmission pan itself. You'll want to make sure all the seals are good and no leaks are occurring.

A transmission flush is a more comprehensive service in which we power-flush out old transmission fluid and contaminants with custom-blended chemicals. Fresh transmission fluid is then pumped into your system. This service typically requires 30-40 minutes.

Flush — Which to Choose? It's been said that a transmission flush is more effective than a change because: With a flush, all the old fluid is removed by a flush machine and replaced with new fluid, allowing for optimal transmission performance.

Many transmissions fail after a transmission flush, not because of the flush, but because the transmission was already at the threshold of failure. A transmission flush is not intended to fix transmission problems, it is meant to help maintain the transmission.

Since the procedure uses new fluid to perform the flush, it requires additional fluid beyond the transmission's final capacity. Plus, additional fluid is needed to fill the flush machine reservoir and lines. Some fluid is also used to prime the pump. Those extra quarts are where most of the cost lies.

Old, degraded oil can't provide adequate lubrication, leading to increased friction and, consequently, overheating. When the temperature gets too hot (transmission fluid itself overheats when temperatures reach higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit), components begin to warp, break, and suffer severe damage.

The importance of regular transmission fluid changes in improving vehicle performance cannot be overstated. They can help reduce fuel consumption, prevent potential damage to the transmission system, extend the lifespan of the car, and provide a smoother, more enjoyable driving experience.

Keeping that in mind, it's recommended that you change your transmission filter whenever you have to perform a transmission fluid change. Usually, your owner's manual will inform you when you need to do this.