The type of car you have and how you drive it will play a large role in how often you need to change its transmission fluid. This fluid cools and lubricates the transmission’s moving parts and helps maintain hydraulic pressure in cars with automatic transmissions. When your vehicle’s transmission fluid drops below the ideal level, it can cause all sorts of problems, including inadequate lubrication, increased friction, overheating, and, eventually, mechanical wear and failure.
The longer you go without changing your car’s transmission fluid, the more likely it is to accumulate debris, metal filings, and other contaminants, leading to clogged passages and decreased performance. Contaminated fluid can also cause erratic shifting, slipping, and complete transmission failure in the worst-case scenario. Most modern cars come equipped with computers and sensors that’ll let you know when your transmission fluid gets too low, and it’s important to respond quickly when you receive an alert.
