Why should you get a transmission flush
John Thompson
Updated on May 17, 2026
Transmission fluid flushes are designed to prevent transmission issues and keep your vehicle working as it should. This process involves cleaning out the old, worn fluid from your system, and replacing it with fresh transmission fluid to keep your vehicle healthy.
Is a transmission flush really necessary?
Many manufacturers recommend a transmission flush every 30,000 miles or 2 years. However, not all recommend this frequently – some suggest a flush only every 100,000 miles, and others don’t recommend a transmission flush at all. … A transmission flush can extend the life of your transmission.
What are the benefits of transmission flush?
It cleans sludge, gum, and varnish. It also removes harmful deposits and dirty oxidized fluid. It improves shifting and reduces transmission heat. The biggest benefit is it extends the life of your transmission making it less likely for an avoidable expense like premature transmission replacement.
What are the signs of needing a transmission flush?
- Transmission Grinding or Strange Noises. …
- Problems Shifting Gears. …
- Slipping Gears. …
- Surging Of The Vehicle. …
- Delay in Movement.
What happens if you dont flush transmission fluid?
Transmission Overheats. Changing your transmission fluid periodically will increase the lifespan of your transmission. On the other hand, if you never change it, you will have dirty and grimy fluid that will fail to lubricate and disperse heat very well.
Which is better transmission flush or change?
A transmission fluid change will help to restore your system to good working order and is the cheaper option. It is also a relatively simple task that can be undertaken by vehicle owners. A transmission fluid flush is more costly, but will replace all of the fluid and any contaminants that have built up in the system.
Can a transmission flush cause damage?
Almost every car manufacturer recommends against using transmission flushing chemicals, and most will void your transmission warranty if they can prove these chemicals are being used. These chemicals can damage your transmission, which is why most automakers recommend against them.
Will a transmission flush fix my transmission?
A transmission flush will help to reduce the need of transmission repair, help your vehicle shift gears easier and help to improve overall engine performance.How much it cost to flush a transmission?
A typical transmission flush will cost around $150. A transmission flush on smaller cars may cost in the low $100s while it may cost more than $200 on larger vehicles. A good rule of thumb is that a flush costs about twice as much as a fluid change.
Is it bad to change transmission fluid on high mileage?Changing the transmission fluid on a high-mileage car is risky. Don’t do it unless your transmission is running fine and the fluid is first-rate, because it can make transmission failure imminent.
Article first time published onWhen should you do a transmission flush?
Depending on what the manufacturer recommends, you may need to get a transmission flush every 30,000 miles or two years. In some cases, your owner’s manual may suggest waiting until your car reaches 100,000 miles.