Fluid additives are all over the parts stores and on special high visibility shelf locations in the stores. They are sometimes sold as what sounds like “the savior” for your automatic transmission. We all know what snake oil is and some of these may fall into that category so be careful.

Many of these additives make promises of helping your automatic transmission last longer, while others almost sound like they stop leaks and make your transmission like new.

In most cases these consumer-oriented products are not the best thing for you to put into your transmission.  They very seldom deliver on their promises.

At Wayne’s Transmissions we do use additives that are very effective and can extend the life of your automatic transmission.  These are not the additives you see on the shelf in a parts store.  These products make claims that are more realistic like:

• Remove varnish from internal components
• Prevent fluid oxidation
• Provide additional resistance to heat damage
• Modify friction to improve transmission performance

So don’t waste your money on these “fix in a can” additives.  If you are having problems with your transmission get it checked out early by a professional mechanic like Wayne.  If an additive will help he will have the best product for your transmission.

One of the best initial steps to take with a transmission that is acting up is to have it inspected and serviced by a shop who will install high quality fluid as part of their service.  Wayne’s uses Mobile 1 fluid because of the protection it gives your transmission.

If you are having problems contact us today for an appointment to have your transmission evaluated.  Call us at (208) 322-1236 or email us and we will call you to see how we can help.

If you are in need of a service don’t miss our coupon for a great price on our services.

The variety of transmissions found in today’s cars, pickup trucks, SUV’s, vans and motor homes means that there are a variety of different automatic transmission fluid types required to insure correct operation.  Costs to repair the internal damage that results from using an incorrect fluid can be thousands of dollars.

With over 30 different types of automatic transmission fluid on the list to choose from, making the proper selection can be difficult.   At Wayne’s Transmissions, they have access to factory bulletins with updated parts information telling them which fluid has been updated to which transmission.

• General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler have each had an average of 6 fluid type changes over the years.
• Import vehicles like Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, VW, Volvo, Subaru, Porsche, and others use around 13 different fluid types.
• Aftermarket fluid manufacturers sort through the mix of fluid types available and considerably reduce the number they offer by mixing additives with their fluids to make one type work for multiple vehicles.

It’s no wonder it’s more and more difficult for people to work on their own cars these days.  Since it is critical to use the fluid that meets or exceeds OEM standards for the transmission in your import or domestic car, truck, or SUV, taking your vehicle to a professional shop like Wayne’s Transmissions to have your transmission fluid serviced is a great idea!

For all of your transmission, transfer case, axle, and differential service and repair needs, call Wayne’s Transmissions at (208) 322-1236 or contact them on the web.

Making automatic transmissions with NO dipstick seems like a strange thing for manufacturers to do, but looking at it from their point of view might make sense.  If a vehicle that’s under warranty is damaged internally because the owner or a mechanic overfills the transmission, the manufacturer may end up having to pay for the repair.  Limiting access by eliminating old style filler tubes makes sense to reduce their liability. 

Here’s a quick list of some vehicle models that could have a transmission without a dipstick and require a “no-dipstick” fluid level check:

• Cadillac Catera
• Saturn ION and Vue
• Lincoln Navigator
• Chevrolet Aveo
• Chevrolet Equinox
• Chrysler 300
• Ford Cars
• Mazda MPV
• Mazda Miata

Some vehicles in this category actually have a special tool that is used like a dipstick to check the fluid level but then is removed.  Year 2005 and up Chrysler models with a NAG-1 transmission are an example.

There are some “DIY” (do it yourselfers) who have been checking transmission fluid levels on their own for years.  With the newer “no dipstick” style transmissions, there are quite a few different procedures that will be involved.  If you still want to “do it yourself”, you’ll have to be very careful to follow the manufacturer procedures exactly to avoid damage to your car and reduce the risk of personal injury.

Here are some of the reasons why it’s going to be more difficult, more risky, and therefore not such a good idea to check fluid levels yourself on these newer style transmissions:

1. You may need to put your car up on jack stands to gain access to the checking point
2. The vehicle has to be level to get an accurate measurement of the fluid level
3. Leveling your car on 4 jack stands in your garage instead of on a hoist is very difficult at best
4. Temperature of the fluid is critical to getting the fluid level correct; fluid at this temperature can burn skin
5. If the fluid level is low, adding the correct fluid type in the correct amount is critical
6. Specialized tools, like scan tools and special wrenches, are often required to do the steps correctly

Here’s an example of what is involved to check the fluid level for a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with a 4T40-E automatic transaxle:

• fluid temp must be at 104 degrees F. when checking
• engine must be running with transaxle in Park
• an oil pan should be placed under the removal plug area; then remove plug
• if fluid doesn’t come out when plug is removed, add fluid until it starts to come out; then stop adding
• allow level to stabilize even with the bottom of the check plug hole
• replace plug when fluid no longer comes out of check plug hole
• tighten plug to the correct torque specification

You can see it’s no longer a simple matter of lifting the hood, pulling out the dipstick and looking to see where the fluid level is on vehicles with these newer style transmissions.  Give Wayne’s Transmissions a call.  They have the right tools and the skill necessary to maintain or fix your transmission.

Wayne’s Transmissions,  Boise Idaho   (208) 322-1236

The secret is to control the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid. When you can’t do this due to driving conditions be sure to change the fluid regularly.

Heat is Your Transmissions Greatest Enemy

Overheating is responsible for the majority of automatic transmission failures.  Normal temperatures run about the same as the engine coolant temperature which is regulated by the thermostat to around 195 degrees F.

This brings up a very important point.  A well maintained cooling system can extend the transmissions life.  Part or all of the transmissions oil cooling function, depending on your vehicle, is built into the vehicles radiator.  If the vehicle has an external auxiliary transmission cooler, outside of and usually in front of the radiator, it can help keep the transmission oil and engine coolant cooler.

As the temperature of the transmission fluid increases, the life of the fluid deceases very rapidly:

• 195 degree F. allows the fluid to be run for up to 50,000 miles before servicing is required
• 212 degree F. causes the fluid life to be cut in half to 25,000 miles
• 235 degree F. causes the fluid life to be cut in half again to 12,000 miles
• 255 degree F. causes the fluid life to be cut in half again to 6,250 miles

Based on these temperatures you can see that one overheat condition of the cooling system or the transmission is cause for immediate replacement of the transmission fluid.

Towing Increases the Temperature

Light to moderate load towing will try to increase the transmissions temperature but the cooler would control it under most conditions.  If the outside temperature is too high, you are towing in mountainous areas or any of the three following are happening your transmission is at risk:

• Towing in overdrive when it is not recommended for your transmission will cause excess heat and probable failure of the overdrive components in the transmission.
• The extra weight of towing puts additional load on the engine and transmission which will increase the operating temperature of both.  If the cooler can’t handle this extra heat the transmission fluid life is reduced as stated above.
• Towing a load over the rating of the tow vehicle, besides being unsafe, will also drive temperatures too high.

Add Extra Cooling if Towing

Installation of an auxiliary oil cooler can protect against excess heat causing premature transmission failure.  Dropping the fluid temperature by 20 degrees F. will potentially double the life of the fluid.  Most external coolers will drop the fluid temperature by 20 to 30 degrees F.

Service it Regularly

Most repair shops recommend servicing your automatic transmission around 30,000 to 50,000 miles for normal driving conditions which exclude towing or extreme hot, cold or dusty conditions.

Prices for a complete filter and fluid replacement normally run around $120 to $180.  If you are just getting a fluid flush the price runs in the $80 to $99 range.

Some transmission repair shops do not perform flushes.  They believe the best method is regular removal of the oil and filter by removing the pan on the bottom of the transmission.  You should also be  aware that some manufacturers, like Honda, have clearly stated not to flush their transmissions in one of their factory bulletins.

As described above the breakdown of the fluid due to heat causes it to not protect the internal moving parts of the transmission.  This will greatly shorten the life of your transmission.  Overhaul or major repairs run in the area of $1600 to $2600 depending on the extent of internal damage and the type of transmission.

Wayne’s Transmissions in Boise specializes in diagnosis, service and repair of automatic transmissions.

Call Wayne’s today for an appointment or consultation at (208) 322-1236

Please give us feedback about this information by adding comments or thoughts below.

Here is a great video about maintenance for your automatic transmission. Here are a few items to keep in mind regarding your transmission:

• Avoid excess heat to extend transmission life
• Don’t tow in overdrive unless your vehicle manual says it is ok
• Install an auxiliary cooler if towing
• Keep it serviced at recommended intervals
• Be sure to use the correct fluid and fill to the proper level