The transmission is that part of a vehicle that transfers power from the engine to the road surface, without a transmission the vehicle is simply not going anywhere. The transmission fluid filter is equally important as all other components, it serves as a sieve that collects any contaminates in the transmission fluid.
How frequently should a transmission fluid filter be changed?
Although a typical transmission is closed, over time the components in it such as the gears, clutches, etc wear. It is the minute contaminates from the internal components that eventually cause the filter to become clogged. There is no single time frame as to when the filter should be changed; different vehicle manufacturers have different recommendations but eventually the filter and the transmission fluid should be changed.
Unlike the engine oil pan, very few transmissions have a drain plug. As the filter is actually located inside the transmission, rather than outside like the engine oil filter, the transmission pan must be removed. Most owners have the transmission fluid filter changed by a professional mechanic. The typical job requires a new filter, pan gasket and fresh transmission fluid.
There are signs that might indicate that the automatic transmission in your car needs attention:
Noise: When the fluid filter becomes blocked it can result in a “rattling” noise coming from the transmission.
Contamination: The purpose of the transmission fluid filter is to eliminate any contaminates from the fluid. If the filter does not do the job as intended it will not be long before the transmission fluid becomes fouled and transmission underperforms.
Gear change: If the transmission fails to change gear or no longer changes smoothly, the problem may be traceable to the filter.
Odor: Automatic transmission fluid can roast; when it does there is a distinctive odor.
It is important that you follow the schedule for changing the transmission fluid filter that is published in your vehicles owners manual.
