![]() A properly maintained manual transmission should shift and function properly for a very long time, even for the life of the car in many cases.ĭual-clutch automated manual transmissions have similar servicing requirements to manuals. Manual transmissions are far easier to service than automatics, usually only requiring a simple drain and fill procedure. Change the fluid according to the manufacturers recommended interval, which should fall somewhere around the 100,000km range. They are unlike any other type of transmission. ![]() Your transmission fluid can be in service for 10 years or longer if the car is hardly ever driven.Ĭontinuously variable transmissions, or CVTs, are another animal altogether. Note that this is a mileage-based change interval, not time-based. If your car manufacturer recommends it be done more frequently, go for it. In our opinion, an automatic transmission fluid and filter change should be performed every 80,000 -100,000km. Some don’t even recommend transmission fluid and filter service and call their fluids and filters “lifetime” components, but that’s a whole new can of worms. Many manufacturers use synthetic fluids in their transmissions and have change intervals around 100,000 to 160,000km. ![]() And of course, only manufacturer approved fluid and filters should be used.Īs complicated as it can be, it should still be done to help prolong the life of the transmission, which can cost upwards of $8000 to replace. The risks and potential costs of servicing automatic transmissions has gotten to the point where, in our opinion, it should only be done by dealers or independents who specialize in the particular vehicle. ![]() It is not uncommon to hear of a car with a properly shifting transmission that went in for a transmission fluid flush and came out with a slipping, essentially broken, transmission. Even a lowly Hyundai Accent has a 6-speed auto, and automatics with as many as 10 speeds are not far off. Some are so complicated (ahem, technologically advanced) and so ridiculously expensive that servicing them has become tricky business. Modern automatic transmissions can be a real tough cookie. While many synthetic oils do indeed have many advances and benefits which can allow an extended change interval, we would never leave any oil in any car for 30,000km.įor cars which use synthetic oil, a change interval of 8,000-10,000km is usually fine for most cars in normal driving conditions, and 7,000-8,000km for severe driving conditions.įor cars which are driven less than 5,000km per year, then it is recommended that an oil and filter change be performed at least once a year. This could be an acceptable interval under normal driving conditions, however, as mentioned before, we Canadians must follow the severe maintenance schedule, which means that the interval should be 5,000-6,000km.įor cars which use synthetic oil, manufacturers typically recommend a change interval which is generally longer than that of conventional oil, sometimes upwards of 30,000km. All vehicles in Canada should follow a severe maintenance schedule.įor cars which use conventional petroleum-based oil, many manufacturers recommend a change interval of 7,000-8,000km using their recommended oil and oil filters. Severe driving conditions, on the other hand, are considered those in which a vehicle is driven short distances, infrequently, or in extreme weather. Normal driving conditions are considered those in which a vehicle is driven regularly for extended periods of time, such as highway driving, mild weather. The appropriate oil change interval for any car is dependent on a number of factors which include: 1) What type of car you drive 2) What type of oil your car’s engine uses 3) How far, how often, and what type of driving you do. There is a limit however, and, in our opinion, no car should go anywhere near 30,000km without a service. Modern car engines, as well as modern lubricants, have evolved to the point where extended (beyond 5,000km) oil change intervals are possible. There is truth and logic to both sides of the oil change debate, however, neither one is perfectly correct. So who is right? We will take you through each type of fluid to determine the proper intervals for each. On the other side, you have the old-school mechanics or car owners who swear by the 3 month/ 5,000km oil and filter change interval, no matter what anyone says. On the one side, you have car manufacturers which will try to convince you that their modern cars can easily go 10,000, 20,000, even 30,000km in some instances between oil and filter changes. As far as maintenance is concerned, fluid changes are probably one of the most debated areas.
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