Transmission Flush Versus Transmission Fluid Change

There’s a Difference Between the Two Services 

Your transmission is one of the most important components of your vehicle. Located behind your engine, your transmission transfers power from your engine and delivers it to your driving wheels. While your transmission is great at its job, it's going to need its fluid changed periodically to live its longest life. 

However, some drivers are unsure whether their vehicle needs a transmission fluid flush or change. Other drivers are shocked to hear that the two services are not one in the same.

At BRAKEmax, we feature a team of ASE-certified mechanics who can properly care for your vehicle. Let's take a look at the difference between a transmission fluid flush and a transmission fluid change and find out which service is best for your vehicle. 

For all of your vehicle's transmission needs, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at BRAKEmax in Tucson, AZ, and allow our transmission shop to keep your vehicle running at its best. 

Why Transmission Service Is Crucial

The average automatic transmission is essentially a large gearbox that transfers engine torque to your wheels at different ratios. Depending on the age of a transmission, this gearbox can have as few as three speeds, or as many as 10. As these gears spin at high speeds, interact with one another, and handle the varying torque output from your engine, your transmission can generate immense heat. 

Your transmission fluid’s job is to regulate this heat while providing lubrication for the many moving parts inside your transmission. However, over time, this fluid gets dirty and begins to lose its cooling and lubricating properties. Eventually, it must be changed in order to provide continuing protection for your transmission.

Transmission Flush 

During a transmission fluid flush, one of our ASE-certified mechanics will attach a fluid exchange machine to your transmission to begin the fluid exchange process. During this process, new transmission fluid is pumped through your transmission, while old and dirty transmission fluid is simultaneously pumped out of your system.

Transmission Fluid Exchange 

A transmission fluid exchange, sometimes referred to as a transmission fluid change, involves old, dirty fluid being evacuated from your system through your drain plug and allowing gravity to encourage your dirty fluid to drain out of the system. Once the flow of transmission fluid stops, the drain plug is then reinstalled, and your system is refilled with new fluid.

And the Best Service Is…

Now that you know the difference between a transmission fluid flush and a transmission fluid change, you might be asking yourself which service is better. The simple answer is that a transmission fluid flush is far better than a transmission fluid change. During a transmission fluid flush, virtually all of the old fluid in your system is pumped out of your transmission, allowing the entire system to benefit from the clean, fresh transmission fluid. 

In contrast, only about 40% of the dirty fluid is removed from your system when a transmission fluid change is performed on your vehicle. This is because your transmission has many nooks, crannies, and pockets where dirty fluid can be trapped. Because of this fact, we recommend performing a transmission fluid flush on your vehicle instead of a transmission fluid change. 

How Often Should You Receive a Transmission Flush?

We recommend that you perform a transmission fluid flush on your vehicle every 60,000 miles. This promotes transmission longevity while minimizing the chance of transmission failure. 

If you check your owner's manual, you may notice that your manufacturer doesn't recommend a transmission fluid flush until 100,000 miles. This figure is based on average driving in ideal conditions. Living in Tucson, our desert climate can cause ambient temperatures to spike into the triple digits, especially during summer.

This high heat can age your transmission fluid faster and leave your transmission with less protection. In fact, one of the main causes of transmission failure is transmission overheating.

Because we live in a desert climate, we recommend changing your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles. However, if you do any of the following activities, we recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles:

• Towing
• Off-roading 
• Racing

Transmission Service Made Easy at BRAKEmax

At BRAKEmax, caring for your transmission is never difficult. We provide quality transmission maintenance and repair services and can even provide a transmission change if you need one. Our team consists of ASE-certified mechanics who use quality replacement parts and fluids. At BRAKEmax, we strive to provide exceptional quality and value, which is why we offer fantastic service coupons in addition to our incredible prices.

Schedule your transmission fluid service with BRAKEmax, and trust your vehicle's transmission maintenance needs with our certified experts.