Transmission flushing: necessity, costs and the process!

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Recently updated on September 22, 2023 at 09:25 am

[Update: 22.09.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. In order for a car to function reliably, regular maintenance is required inspections necessary. The manufacturer does not play a role. No matter if BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi or whatever they are called. Regular maintenance is essential. There will also be the liquids changed. And as soon as the car has one oil change gets or one Transmission repair has been carried out, then you should also have one transmission flush have it carried out. This is of course very time-consuming and expensive, and therefore perhaps, especially with regard to the aforementioned interval between the engine oil change some exaggerated. In our opinion it is so the best for the transmission. If we assume a 30.000 km service interval for the engine oil, then you should at the latest every other time also have the transmission flushed.

Skip a transmission flush?

During a transmission flush, the automated, DSG or automatic transmission is professionally flushed in a vehicle workshop. After rinsing, it is refilled with new oil. Simply changing the transmission fluid is not as expensive as flushing the transmission, but flushing removes the old dirt/sludge remote.

It is often said by automakers that a transmission flush as well as a Transmission oil change are not necessary, as they "last the life of the car". However, many manufacturers have a “car life” in between 120.000 and 150.000 kilometers Mileage defined. In reality, however, vehicles are driven much longer. Almost all of them Gearbox manufacturer agree that a gearbox can sometimes last significantly longer if it is professionally flushed. Experience has shown that automatic transmissions that are regularly flushed usually last twice as long. Mileage of 250.000 to 300.000 kilometers, without any noticeable deterioration in shifting behavior, is not uncommon.

When is a transmission flush necessary?

For example, as soon as the transmission no longer shifts properly or there is a delay in the shifting processes, it's time to do one transmission flush to be carried out. The problems arise because the oil passes through various metal and coating particles from the automatic transmission abrasive wear absorbs and it becomes contaminated. In this way, the impurities are distributed throughout the transmission. Especially metallic chips increasingly settle on the components, in the transmission oil and in the transmission oil pan.

With a simple transmission oil change, only about 50% of the transmission oil is changed, as the other 50% remains in the torque converter, in the lines, in the oil filter and in the valve body. With the correct gear flushing process, however, it is precisely these assemblies that are flushed through with fresh oil and thus also cleaned. It is advised to keep the oil between 60.000 and 80.000 kilometers Mileage or after at the latest four years switch. Typical symptoms related to the deterioration in switching behavior are:

• a jerk in the switching period
• a delayed downshift
• a humming noise when the gear is engaged and at a standstill
• various vibrations
• various kick-down problems
• rough switching operations, so-called buffing
• dragging switching operations
• a fluctuating engine speed in higher gears of the KÜB

Who should do a transmission flush?

A competent automotive workshop should be selected so that the transmission flushing and the oil change are carried out correctly and conscientiously. For work on a car there are trained specialists who are familiar with the work around the transmission and it rinse professionally. There are also isolated branches of the gearbox manufacturers that carry out such a service for a fee. In general, you should do a transmission flush not can be carried out in a conventional car workshop, but in a specialist workshop that specializes in this very service specialized.

Tip: If the automatic transmission no longer shifts as desired, a reset may be the solution. You can do it like that HERE ...

If the rinsing is carried out incorrectly, for example with the wrong cleaning agent or an incorrect service procedure, then the gearbox and its clutch plates and friction discs can become damaged be permanently damaged. The components usually consist of sintered metal, organic substances and magnetic and non-magnetic metals. Many workshops now carry out cleaning according to the "Tim Eckhart Method™" through. You can find out exactly what that is and how it works HERE ...

The advantages of a professional conditioner

When changing the transmission oil, only the oil is changed. However, impurities remain in the transmission and this increases wear. As soon as the new oil is topped up and the vehicle is moved, the impurities take their way in the oil circuit again. A transmission flush removed most of the pollution and debris in the gearbox and thus enables a longer service life and can avoid expensive repairs or, at best, gearbox damage. And if the gearbox works perfectly, it can turn out to be too lower fuel consumption beitragen.

The function of a transmission flush

First will be a special cleaner in the oil given. The cleaner has to be well distributed in order to be able to dissolve the dirt better. To do this, the engine has to run for a while and the gears have to be shifted through. A special flushing device then pumps out the old oil. The oil pan can then be dismantled and cleaned. Also the Transmission oil filter is changed in the process. After the oil pan and the new oil filter have been reassembled, the new oil is topped up and a thorough transmission flush is carried out. After everything has been thoroughly rinsed, in some cases the on-board electronics must be adapted to the new oil.

Why doesn't the manual transmission need to be flushed?

In the case of a manual transmission, the clutch that is used for the shifting process is not built into the gearbox. It is positioned in the clutch housing between the engine and the gearbox. This means that the gear oil cannot be contaminated.

Duration and price of a transmission flush

In general, such a transmission flush takes about half a day. However, if there are other defects, it can of course be extended. You usually notice one after flushing the gearbox Improvement in switching operations. In rare cases, an improvement only becomes noticeable after a while. However, a change should definitely occur after 500 to 1.000 kilometers. The price of such a transmission flush is approximately EUR 400 to EUR 600. Of course, this always depends on the vehicle, the amount of oil required and the workshop's hourly rate. The fact is: Flushing the transmission is significantly more expensive than simply changing the transmission oil.

Transmission flushing: when, why and at what price?

The transmission is a central element of every vehicle and proper care is crucial to its driving performance and lifespan. One way to keep the transmission in optimal condition is to transmission flush. In summary, important aspects related to the topic:

How much does a transmission flush cost?

• As a rule, the costs for a transmission flush, including labor and materials, are between 300 and 750 euros. The price may vary depending on the vehicle type and any existing minor defects. The entire transmission flushing process takes an average time about 2 hours.

How useful is a transmission flush?

• A transmission flush can damage the car longer lifetime and better switching quality to lend. It can also help reduce the need for fuel. Having the transmission fluid flushed and replaced by qualified auto repair shops will help the car run more efficiently.

When should you perform a transmission flush?

• Experts recommend a transmission flush 60.000 to 90.000 km. However, if you notice certain symptoms such as rough gear changes or problems engaging gears, you should have your transmission checked as soon as possible.

Flush or just oil change?

• Although the transmission oil must be changed regularly according to the service manual (depending on the vehicle), a complete flushing of all components with special flushing systems, such as the one for Mercedes developed automatic transmission flushing system, usually better for the transmission. However, many manufacturers also specify a “lifetime filling”, which we do maximum 150 tkm. fasten. If the vehicle is to be driven for a longer period of time, it needs to be flushed.

Signs of old gear oil:

• Old or contaminated transmission fluid can lead to a number of problems. At Manual transmissions There may be difficulty changing from first to second gear while automatic transmission may jerk while driving. Other symptoms include foam formation, oil sludge and delayed switching points.

Self-inspection and replacement of gear oil

The gear oil can be selected using the one marked in red Transmission oil dipstick being checked. On most manual vehicles it is possible to change the transmission fluid yourself. The cost of the oil varies, but is mostly between 5 and 25 € per liter.

Risks of old or too much gear oil:

• If transmission fluid isn't changed regularly, you risk serious damage to your car's transmission and other systems. Too much oil in the transmission can lead to a disruption in the oil circuit, which in turn can lead to increased fuel consumption and reduced performance.

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