Slowly lower the floor jack until the entire weight of the vehicle rests on the jack stands. Position jack stands securely under the vehicle. Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack. Place a wheel chock (or wooden block) behind one of the rear tires. The recommended service is a fluid and filter change.ġ) Start the engine and allow it to warm up to normal operating temperature and then shut it off. If the fluid is dark and has a burnt odor, atransmission flush is not recommended. IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE FLUSHING YOUR TRANSMISSIONīefore flushing your transmission pull the dipstick and look closely at the fluid. Many, but not all, transmission repair shops and automobile dealership service centers offer a transmission fluid flush service. TIP: For high-mileage vehicles that have not routinely been flushed, A DIY flush using the transmission’s oil pump or a fluid and filter change is the appropriate service. NOTE: High mileage vehicles that have not routinely had transmission flushes performed are at the greatest risk of damage resulting from a high-pressure flush. High-pressure flushing machines can also blow out internal seals in high-mileage transmissions. If, while being flushed through the transmission, a piece of debris becomes lodged in a more crucial are of the transmission it can cause problems, even catastrophic transmission failure. During this process, the high-pressure cleaning does such a thorough job that it dislodges dirt and debris that the transmission’s internal pump is not strong enough to do. Here’s why:Ī transmission flush machine uses high pressure along with a cleaning agent to flush the old fluid out of the transmission while simultaneously cleaning the internal parts. In almost every case, when a vehicle owner states that his or her transmission failed shortly after a flush was performed the flush was done using a high-pressure flush machine at a repair facility. While some of these stories may be accurate, others are questionable or coincidental.Īs mentioned at the beginning of this knowledge article, a transmission flush can be performed by a repair shop using a pressure flush machine or as a DIY project using the transmission’s internal pump to flush the old fluid out and the new fluid in. Clean ATF insures the transmission is well lubricated and helps keep the tranny cool.Īnyone familiar with the subject of a pressure-machine transmission flush has undoubtedly heard stories from car owners about how a flush damaged their transmission or caused it to fail not too long after. In this process, metal shavings, buildup and debris is also flushed from the transmission, torque converter and oil cooler lines, which is also a good thing. The #1 benefit of a fluid flush, versus just a standard fluid/filter change is that nearly all the fluid (normally between 10 and 12 quarts) is flushed from the transmission and replaced with clean fresh fluid. Transmission Fluid Flush (Using Pressure Machine) – The Pros and Cons Some transmission experts give a thumbs up to flushing while others are completely against it. The debate as to the effectiveness and safety of a transmission flush continues among industry professionals. We’ll do our best to sort through the rhetoric and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Should I Have My Transmission Pressure Flushed?Īs expected, the industry professionals who provide transmission flushes in their shops are proponents of the service while the non-flushing shops are typically against it.
For these vehicles, the recommended service is a fluid and filter change. IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: A pressurized transmission flush is not recommended for high mileage vehicles that have not been flushed previously. The flushing process, when done correctly, replaces nearly 100% of the old fluid with new fluid, including fluid in the torque converter and oil cooler lines. » A transmission flush can be performed (DIY) using the transmission’s pump without a flush machine.Ī transmission flush is a process in which the fluid in an automatic transmission is flushed out of the transmission and replaced with new ATF. » A transmission flush is typically performed using a specialized flush machine. » A flush is not recommended for certain high mileage vehicles. » A fluid flush is a preventative maintenance procedure, not a cure all solution. » A fluid flush will not repair an internal transmission problem. » A transmission fluid flush is different from a fluid and filter change. Things you should know about a transmission flush: