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Taking care of your car's transmission is the best way to help it last as long as it is designed to and to prevent it from needing repairs. One of the most important transmission services is a transmission flush, which also referred to as a transmission fluid change or a transmission fluid flush. If this is an auto service that you are not familiar with, you may have questions. Here are a few of the questions that you may have about transmission flushes. 

What Does a Transmission Flush Consist Of?

A transmission flush accomplishes two different things. First, all of the fluid from your transmission is drained and removed. Once the flush is complete, new fluid is added. This helps to ensure the fluid running through your transmission is clean and free of build up that can weight the fluid down or cause it to slow the gears down. Secondly, once the fluid is removed, the transmission is flushed, or cleaned, to remove sludge or build-up. As the fluid works its way over and through the transmission, it can come into contact with dirt, dust and other debris that can cause it to get dirty or gunky. Often times, this gunk or sludge sits at the bottom of the transmission. Flushing helps to remove it so it doesn't build up and slow the transmission down. 

How Often Does a Transmission Need to Be Flushed? 

Older cars needed their transmission flushed about every 30,000 miles. However, newer cars can go much longer than that. Some models are designed to go 100,000 or even 150,000 miles before the transmission needs to be flushed. However, some mechanics recommend flushing at 50,000 miles regardless of what your owner's manual says to ensure your transmission fluid is clean. 

As a general rule of thumb, the fluid in the transmission should be pink and have a sweet scent to it. If it is brown or black, or smells burnt, it needs to be replaced and the transmission needs to flushed. 

What Happens If the Transmission Is Not Flushed? 

If the transmission fluid is not flushed, it can become dirty or sludge-like. This can slow the gears down in your transmission, which can make it harder for your car to shift gears. This can lead to problems with your transmission or your transmission not shifting like it should. 

If your transmission needs to be flushed, visit a transmission service center like Automotive Transmission Engineering Corp. They can help you with all of your transmission needs, including maintenance and repair services.