Is It Time for a Transmission Flush?

Six Signs to Look For

A transmission flush is one of those services that’s easy to put off or ignore. It’s essential to the health, maintenance, and performance of your vehicle. At Greenville Transmission Clinic, we view a transmission flush as an integral piece of your preventative maintenance plan. Implementing a preventative maintenance program helps improve your mileage, extends the life of your car, and saves money, time, and headaches down the road. It also gives you peace of mind knowing your vehicle won’t let you down. Remember, a flush won’t fix existing problems with your transmission. Look at it as an insurance policy against future repairs.

What is a Transmission Flush?

A trusted auto repair shop should conduct a transmission flush with certified technicians and equipment to do it correctly. It’s not as simple as draining out transmission fluid and replacing it with new. This can leave residue in the lines, which can lead to future problems. A complete flush occurs when a certified professional attaches the vehicle to a special machine that uses the vehicle’s transmission pump to replace the old fluid with new gently. In the event of a dirty line, the mechanic may clear out debris with a solvent before new transmission fluid is put in.

Six Signs It’s Time for a Transmission Flush

In general, manufacturers recommend a complete transmission flush every two years or 30,000 miles. A routine maintenance schedule will help prolong the overall life of your transmission. However, dirt is the enemy, and there are some signs that you may need a flush before your regularly scheduled service. Here are six signs it may be time for a transmission flush:

1. Your transmission fluid is brown or black. This is a red flag that a flush is in order as your transmission fluid should be bright red.
2. You notice a grinding or strange noise. The transmission may be contaminated with dirt, grease, or sludge.
3. Shifting gears is a problem. Your transmission may contain too much dirt or sludge, causing a sluggish response.
4. Your gears are slipping. A dirty transmission can obstruct the flow of fluid needed for the appropriate amount of pressure to keep shifting correctly.
5. The car surges forward or falls back unexpectedly. Make sure your RPM is consistent. The build up in the dirty transmission fluid can cause inconsistent handling.
6. Your car stalls or delays when putting it in gear. Your vehicle should move as soon as it’s put into gear. If you’re experiencing a stall or delay, you may have a more severe problem.

Expert Transmission Service in Greenville, South Carolina

If you’re experiencing any of the signs above, or you’ve hit that magic 30,000-mile mark, visit the expert team at Greenville Transmission Clinic! Conveniently located in Greenville, South Carolina, we are here to answer all your questions and perform an expert transmission flush on your vehicle. Our goal is to keep you on the road and out of the shop!