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Buick Transmission Fluid Change: Your car’s transmission optimizes your engine’s output, so the right amount of horsepower and torque hits the pavement, propelling your vehicle forward.
If you have an automatic transmission, you might like how it glides smoothly through the ratios as you accelerate from a stop.
Or, if you have a manual transmission, you might enjoy rowing through the gears and selecting the one that best suits current conditions. And transmission fluid helps either type shift smoothly and perform as intended.
But how often should you change transmission fluids? What is the cost to change the transmission fluid? Let’s take a look at why it’s essential to change your transmission fluids and how often you should do it.
What is a transmission fluid change or flush?
Changing the transmission fluid is the proven process specified in your owner’s manual when you request transmission service. Your mechanic drains the fluid from the transmission, replaces the filter, and then refills the transmission with fresh, new fluid. Changing the transmission fluid allows your mechanic to get a close look at the transmission pan and filter. This can reveal the presence of metal particles or other debris, which can indicate a larger problem that needs to be fixed before it gets worse. This makes changing the fluid an ideal preventative maintenance procedure.
The transmission flush process uses a machine to replace the fluid in an automatic transmission. Many auto repair shops own these expensive machines. Old fluid, dirt and sludge are forced out under pressure and replaced with fresh fluid. Flushing usually costs much more than a fluid change, due to the cost of the machine. Many shops tend to price the procedure for high profits.
When and Why You Should Change Your Car’s Transmission Fluid
Transmission
Modern vehicles generally come with two types of automotive transmissions: automatic or manual.
Manual transmissions put gear changes in the driver’s hands, allowing them to change ratios manually, usually via the gear stick. Automatic transmissions take care of gear changes themselves, allowing the driver to simply drive and focus fully on the road.
Automatic and manual transmissions work differently and, as a result, require unique types of transmission fluid. Manual transmission fluid is similar to gear oil, lubricating parts like bearings and gears.
But automatic transmission fluid (ATF) plays a bigger role in transmitting power from the engine to the road. In an automatic transmission, a hydraulic torque converter takes torque from the engine and converts it into usable power for forward motion.
The ATF works within the torque converter, allowing this conversion to take place and converting engine power into energy to drive the wheels. Since automatic transmission fluid is so essential to transferring power, it generally breaks down faster than manual transmission fluid, requiring more frequent changes.
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Why should I change transmission fluids?
As the miles accumulate, transmission fluids can pick up metal shavings and dirt from gears and other moving parts, reducing performance. That can cause the transmission oil to lose some of its cooling and lubricating properties.
When you change gears, transmission problems such as slow shifts or a slippery feeling may indicate the need for new transmission fluid. Poor gear shift quality can also signify deeper mechanical problems.
While changing transmission fluid won’t fix mechanical problems, it does make shifts smoother and can extend transmission life.
And even when manufacturers recommend 150,000-mile fluid change intervals under normal conditions, it may be a good idea to change your fluid more often. Some mechanics believe that 150,000 is too long a service interval and recommend new fluid more frequently.
Cost to Change Transmission Fluid
The cost to service a transmission varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle, whether it needs a drain or flush, and whether your car requires a new transmission filter.
While a repair shop may advertise a fluid change for $100, some luxury cars like a Mercedes or BMW cost much more, running as high as $400 or more. The service price of a transmission also depends on whether you get a flush or drain and refill the old fluid.
With a transmission fluid flush, a service center pumps out new fluid, which flushes out the old fluid, along with any contaminants. Draining and replacing the old fluid may not be as thorough as a flush, possibly only removing and replacing half of it, but that might be all your manufacturer requires.
When should I change transmission fluids?
Just like changing your motor oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations extends the life of your engine, the same goes for changing transmission fluids.
Engine oil degrades over time with each turn of the crankshaft, as does transmission oil as gears shift and the torque converter handles heavy loads. But when is it time to change your transmission fluid?
Maintenance schedules vary among manufacturers, but they all have one thing in common: Heavy use requires more frequent flushing of transmission fluids.
For example, here are some guidelines from major manufacturers on when to change transmission fluids:
Toyota recommends changing transmission fluid every 60,000 miles under “severe” conditions. But if you’re just running errands or taking trips, Toyota doesn’t require flushing the transmission.
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC) recommend changing your transmission fluid every 45,000 miles if you are experiencing “severe” conditions, such as towing or other heavy use. However, GM does not mandate changing the transmission fluid when driving under normal conditions.
Honda uses continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in many vehicles, and a Maintenance Reminder tracks miles and time and alerts you if you need to change your transmission fluid. But for drivers who live in the mountains or who tow a boat or trailer regularly, Honda suggests changing the transmission fluid every 25,000 miles.
BMW recommends changing your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles.
Ford recommends changing the transmission fluid at 150,000 miles if you are driving under normal conditions.
Mercedes-Benz recommends changing the transmission fluid at 40,000 miles.
Since car manufacturers recommend a variety of mileage intervals for transmission maintenance, you may be wondering when to replace your transmission oil. The first place to look is your owner’s manual. There you will find specific recommendations for your vehicle and when to change transmission fluids to ensure longevity.
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BUICK ENCLAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID
A transmission fluid change typically costs half as much as a transmission flush, as it requires much less fluid and time to function properly. Buick Enclave transmission fluid changes are notoriously crucial in keeping your vehicle’s transmission cool and lubricated. If you don’t routinely and regularly change fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, your Buick Enclave’s transmission may slip immediately.
Check your car’s owner’s manual for more information on the specific mileage intervals your transmission needs to have its fluid changed. At Coggin Buick/GMC of Orange Park, we offer a wide variety of specialty transmission fluids. You can also schedule streaming service online and save even more. If you need help researching fluid levels, pricing, or locating an estimated service center, give us a call at 9046829278 and one of our talented service specialists will be happy to assist you.
BUICK ENCLAVE TRANSMISSION FILTER
Changing the Buick Enclave’s transmission filter is not as easy as other filters on your car. There are multiple crucial parts to your transmission filter, including the filter itself, which is often a metal plate with a fiber material that traps contaminants. Your Buick Enclave will still contain a pickup tube, gasket, and rubber seal that may need to be replaced along with the filter. Your Buick Enclave transmission filter will need to be replaced every 30,000 or 50,000 miles.
Be sure to check your vehicle’s maintenance guide for more details on mileage and time intervals. You can still call Coggin Buick/GMC of Orange Park for fast, expert advice. If you want us to take care of your streaming service, we often promote monthly streaming service coupons ranging from discounts on filters to special deals on liquids.
BUICK ENCLAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
Common warning signs that your transmission is having trouble are:
An obvious sign would be if the transmission warning light on your Buick Enclave is on.
Transmission fluid leaks are the most common and urgent sign that you need a transmission fluid change, or potentially even a full cleaning service. It’s rare, but leaks could still mean there’s a problem with the transmission hose.
If you notice a strange noise or screeching when you shift gears, or if you feel the gears stick when you shift them, your transmission probably needs more lube or something more serious could be faulty.
Strange odors are a sign that the transmission fluid is burning inside the parts.
One of the most common signs is when your transmission shifts but the result of those shifts is delayed.
If you are experiencing or think you may be experiencing any of these issues, call Coggin Buick/GMC of Orange Park today and we will guide you through the step-by-step process of checking your fluid levels or you can take your Buick Enclave to our expert technicians. factory certified and we can accurately diagnose any issues your vehicle may have free of charge as part of our multi-point examination process.
BUICK ENCLAVE AUTOMATIC VS MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Automatic and manual will often require a variety of different fluids. Automatic transmission fluids are generally thinner and are often red or green in color. Manual transmission fluid or gear oil is bulkier and thicker due to additives and other crucial compounds needed to lubricate the gearbox and other components. Manual transmissions have a higher friction environment due to the way the gears are shifted, so the lubricant is very different.
Not only are the fluids different between manual and automatic transmissions, but the level of heat that the fluids experience is wildly different. Automatic transmissions generate considerable heat and therefore your transmission fluid needs to be changed more frequently. If you don’t change the transmission fluid in your Buick Enclave, your transmission will have dangerous broken metal shavings and other corrosive materials scattered all over the vital components of your Buick Enclave.
You should check the fluid levels frequently between the fluid and transmission flush service intervals. In many cases, manual transmissions do not come equipped with a dipstick to check fluid levels, so it can be very difficult to do so.
What should I get, a transmission fluid change or a flush?
The flushing process does not require the tray to be removed or the filter to be changed, thus the diagnostic and preventative benefits of seeing what is in the tray and changing the filter are lost. Additionally, many vehicle manufacturers do not recommend or require transmission cleaning to be included as part of their vehicles’ recommended maintenance schedule. So why do it? Follow with the transmission fluid change specified in your owner’s manual.
However, if your maintenance schedule specifically calls for a flush, or your transmission fluid has been ignored for too long and has picked up metal particles or other contaminants, a flush is the way to go.
What are the symptoms related to transmission fluid problems?
If your transmission fluid or filter becomes clogged, you may notice the engine revving when you are not accelerating the vehicle; this is called transmission slippage. If you notice this, have your car serviced immediately as the damage will only get worse.
Changing the transmission fluid (and filter, if equipped) is generally a maintenance item and should be done on a regular schedule. In some vehicles, flushing the transmission is part of the maintenance schedule; otherwise, a flush is only needed if debris is detected in the fluid.
We hope the article about buick transmission fluid change and the related information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please let us one on our website Auto Oil And Fluid!