How Often Should I Get a Transmission Fluid Change on My Honda?

Transmission fluid is vital to the usability of your vehicle. Without it, the various parts with little space between them within the gearbox would begin to build up immense amounts of heat. Not only that, but transmission fluid also enables the gearbox to shift properly. The fluid provides lubrication, hydraulic pressure, and friction so the gearbox can do its job. 

After thousands of miles of use, the fluid picks up metal shavings and begins to degrade due to the high heat. Replacing your fluid regularly removes these built-up contaminants, and provides fresh lubrication so the transmission can run without issue.

Types of Transmission Fluid

While all transmission fluid has the same purpose, it’s important to use the correct fluid for your vehicle when a change is needed. Vehicles with automatic transmissions use automatic transmission fluid (ATF), which is self-explanatory enough. However, while many modern manuals also require ATF, Honda still uses true manual transmission fluid in their manual vehicles. 

Why Do I Need to Change My Fluid?

As we talked about earlier, transmission fluid degrades over time and loses its effectiveness. As it picks up metal particles and is exposed to extreme heat, the fluid begins to lose its lubricative properties. Brand new ATF fluid is a bright red color, while fluid that is ready for a change is often a dark brown or even black. 

When the fluid is unable to do its job properly, the transmission can begin to show symptoms such as slipping gears, whining noises, metallic grinding, or even complete failure of the system. Another common issue is heat transferring from the transmission to the engine and causing long-term damage to the motor. 

How Frequently Should I Change My Fluid?

There’s no one answer to this question, as it depends on the model of Honda, the type of fluid, and how it’s been driven. However, the general rule of thumb is every 30,000-60,000 miles. 

There are a lot of factors that play into the speed at which your fluid degrades. People that use their vehicles to tow or drive in heavy traffic may need to change it at the lower end of that range. Even if these don’t apply to you, changing your fluid earlier is a good way to ensure that your transmission isn’t wearing too quickly and your engine remains cool. 

Transmission Fluid Changes in Tucson, Mesa, and Phoenix

If you need a transmission fluid change on your Honda, come visit us at Borst Automotive! We have locations in Phoenix, Mesa, and two in Tucson. Our ASE-certified technicians have the expertise and experience to ensure that your Honda gets the treatment it needs. 

So if it’s time for your transmission fluid to be changed, call or schedule online with us today. Our team is excited to take care of you!