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Your Honda pilot transmission fluid will be happy to know that your search for the right Automatic Transmission Fluid products you’ve been looking for is over! Advance Auto Parts has 9 different automatic transmission fluids for your vehicle, ready to be shipped or picked up from the store. The best part is that Honda Pilot Automatic Transmission Fluid products start at just $10.99.
When it comes to your Honda Pilot, you only want parts and products from trusted brands. Here at Advance Auto Parts, we work with only the best and trusted automatic transmission fluid products and part brands so you can shop with complete confidence. Some of our top brands of automatic transmission fluid are Valvoline and Fram. We are sure that you will get the right product to keep this pilot running for a long time.
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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.
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 calledtransmission 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.
Can I drive with a transmission fluid problem?
In general, it is not recommended to drive a vehicle that has passed the manufacturer’s specified service interval. The vehicle is safe to drive, but skipping maintenance can cost you much more in the long run. If you’ve gone over your scheduled maintenance mileage, you should get your car checked out as soon as possible.
If the vehicle has a transmission problem that is causing drivability problems, or any of the symptoms listed here, the vehicle should be towed to a repair center for diagnosis.
How often should transmission fluids be replaced?
Changing the transmission fluid is usually a scheduled maintenance item. Still, transmission problems can occur at any time. It is more common to see high mileage vehicles in poor condition due to lack of maintenance. Performing factory maintenance on time is the best way to help prevent transmission failure.
What is transmission fluid about?
Transmission fluid helps cool and lubricate the internal parts of your vehicle’s transmission. The transmission transfers power from the engine to the wheels of the car. An automatic transmission shifts the car at different speeds depending on the speed at which you are driving. In an automatic transmission car, the transmission system has an oil pan that contains the fluid filter and transmission fluid. The fluid provides the power/force needed to change gear. On manual transmission cars, there is a box that holds the transmission fluid.
Unlike an automatic transmission, the fluid in a manual system is not directly involved in changing gears, because it is a mechanical system, whereas an automatic transmission is hydraulic. If an automatic transmission does not have enough fluid, or the fluid has become contaminated, the transmission may begin to slip and eventually fail. If a manual transmission does not have enough fluid, or the fluid has become contaminated, it is possible for the transmission to become noisy, internal parts to wear faster, and eventually the transmission to fail.
Keep in mind:
- An automatic transmission fluid service will replace the sump gasket, filter, and transmission fluid. Some vehicles do not have a serviceable transmission filter and some transmissions are designed to be “sealed for life” which means they do not require any service or maintenance. Check your owner’s manual for information on whether or not you have a sealed system.
- Unlike an automatic transmission, a manual transmission does not contain a filter, which means that as components wear, the transmission fluid picks up metal particles and is unable to filter them out. That is why it is very important to perform a transmission fluid service according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How it’s made:
- Drain the transmission fluid
- (Automatic only) Install a new pan gasket and filter (if replaced)
- Add the proper type and amount of oil/fluid for your transmission
- Check for leaks
- Test drive the vehicle
How do mechanics change transmission fluid? :
- Drain the transmission fluid.
- (Automatic only) Install a new pan gasket and filter (if replaceable).
- Add the proper type and amount of oil/fluid for your transmission.
- Check for leaks.
- Test drive the vehicle.
Our recommendation:
A conservative rule of thumb is that a car should have a transmission fluid service every 40,000 miles. If you notice any liquid under the car, have it inspected as soon as possible. Changing your transmission fluid regularly will greatly extend the life of your vehicle’s transmission.
What are the common symptoms that indicate you need to replace the transmission fluid?
- The vehicle is having difficulty running
- Vehicle stops when going up or down a steep grade
- Check engine light is on
- transmission is noisy
How important is this service?
Transmission fluid services are an important part of regular maintenance and will increase the life of your transmission. According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of automatic transmission failures are caused by overheating and can often be attributed to transmission fluid that should have been replaced.
Risks of Not Changing Oil and Fluids
Your vehicle is stocked with a wide range of oils and fluids for various purposes, ranging from lubrication to cleaning to maintaining temperature. Most of these oils and fluids require periodic changes to keep your vehicle running at its best for the long haul.
This is what you risk from not changing your oil and fluids at the recommended intervals.
Risks of not doing an oil change
Your oil is the main lifeblood of your engine. Without it, the mechanical movement within your engine would create excessive friction and heat in a matter of seconds, causing catastrophic damage. Basically the motor would seize or components would break.
As your engine oil breaks down, moisture, fuel and other contaminants dilute it, lowering its viscosity and affecting its lubricating ability. It can also generate sludge that can increase friction and stress on moving engine components.
Changing your engine’s oil and oil filter at the manufacturer’s recommended interval ensures that you get fresh motor oil in the engine before the oil breaks down enough to cause any damage.
If you don’t change dirty oil at the interval recommended by the car manufacturer, which is generally every three months or 4,800 km to every seven months or 12,000 km, you risk the engine oil losing its ability to lubricate and clean internal engine components. This can cause additional stress on internal engine components and lead to excessive engine wear or possible premature failure.
While total engine failure can take a while to occur, other early symptoms will emerge, including knocking or knocking in the car’s engine, rough engine running, and poorer fuel economy.
Pro Tip: Switching to a synthetic oil doesn’t mean you can wait longer or skip oil changes. Yes, synthetic oil generally has a longer lifespan than regular oil, but the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval is based on engine tolerances, not the oil you use.
Risks of Not Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid is one of the hardest working fluids in your vehicle. Not only is it responsible for the hydraulic pressure in the transmission that allows you to shift gears, but it also provides lubrication, cleans the internal moving parts of the transmission, and helps regulate the internal temperature of the transmission.
Most manufacturers recommend changing the transmission fluid and filter, if applicable, every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. In some cases, you’ll need a repair center to flush with a machine, but other vehicles require you just remove the transmission pan, drain the fluid, and replace the fluid and filter.
If you don’t replace your transmission fluid, it will break down like motor oil and lose its lubricating and cleaning properties. This leads to high temperatures, sludge buildup, and excess friction, which can damage the internal clutches that shift the gears.
As the internal clutches wear, friction and heat will continually increase. After enough time passes, all of the friction material in the clutches will wear away, leading to slippage of the transmission or failure of other internal components.
Once slippage or internal component failure occurs, a new or rebuilt transmission is the only way to get the vehicle back on track.
Risks of Not Changing Manual Transmission Fluid
Unlike automatic transmission fluid, manual transmission fluid does not have hydraulic properties. Instead, its sole purpose is to lubricate and clean the internal components of the transmission.
Like most oils, manual transmission fluid breaks down over time. It can also become contaminated with external debris and metal shavings from internal transmission components.
Most manufacturers recommend changing manual transmission oil every 30,000 to 60,000 miles to combat thinning and contamination.
If you don’t change your manual transmission fluid, the declining viscosity limits its ability to lubricate transmission components. This can make gear shifting difficult and put extra stress on the transmission, which can cause premature failure.
6 signs your transmission fluid is bad and needs to be changed
The transmission fluid in your car is a critical part of the system. As you do your job of lubricating a vehicle’s transmission, you pick up sand and grime. It also starts to break down as it gets older. Old and dirty transmission fluid does not flow properly and this puts your transmission at risk. From time to time, you will need to flush the transmission to remove the dirty fluid and add fresh, clean fluid. While you should check your vehicle’s transmission fluid regularly, there are clear signs that your transmission fluid is old and dirty. This is what you need to watch out for.
dirty transmission fluid
One of the easiest ways to check the condition of your transmission is to check the quality of the fluid. If you have an automatic transmission, remove the transmission dipstick. Check the consistency and wipe up the liquid. Then dip it back in and check the level again.
A good transmission fluid is clear or tinted pink. If it is a deep red or brown color, then it is old and dirty. You must replace your transmission fluid to prevent damage to your transmission. Look to see if there are any visible particles as well, as this can also mean you need to change the fluid.
transmission hiss
Transmissions that complain indicate a problem, but the time they complain indicates where the problem lies. If the hum occurs when your vehicle is in reverse, then it shows a problem with the transmission fluid line. If the line is clogged, fluid can’t flow and your transmission is at risk of serious problems, so fix this problem as soon as you notice it. If the transmission whines when it goes forward, it indicates a problem with the torque converter, which is a more serious problem.
slipping gears
When the transmission fluid is dirty, it can cause a lack of hydraulic power. When the vehicle lacks hydraulic power, the gears can slip. This happens because the transmission is not getting enough pressure to stay in gear. Dirty fluid cannot flow through the system properly and this damages the pressure in the system. Changing the fluid allows it to flow, and this fixes the problem.
Inability to move in reverse
If your car won’t shift in reverse, it could be caused by any number of issues, but dirty transmission fluid is one of them. If the transmission fluid can’t flow because it’s too dirty, the car can’t shift into reverse. Of the problems that can lead to this problem, a transmission fluid flush is one of the easiest.
The engine is running too hot
You might not think that the transmission is related to the temperature in your car, but it can be. When transmission fluid is not flowing as it should, it will not be properly processed through the transmission. This means that it will not go into the cooling tank and will not get cold. This creates excess heat. Also, slippage, friction, and increased wear on the transmission add heat. This heat is transferred to the rest of your engine, causing it to run hot. If you’ve checked the cooling system and other causes, but find that your engine still gets hot, then it’s time to check your transmission fluid as well.
Transmission grinding noises
Dirty transmission fluid can cause symptoms similar to low transmission fluid levels, and that includes grinding noises and other unusual noises. If you hear these noises, check both fluid levels and consistency. Even if the levels are high enough, if the fluid is dirty it can’t lubricate parts as it should, causing these unusual and unwanted noises.
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