19/04/2018
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILTER
The transmission filter is a vital part of that system and is situated above the transmission pan, which catches any excess fluid, and below a pickup tube that connects to the oil pump, which regulates the pressure of fluid in the transmission. The transmission filter functions as a sieve to collect contaminants like dirt and debris before sending lubricating fluid to the transmission itself.
DO YOU REALLY NEED TO CHANGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILTER?
Your transmission filter is a very important component in your vehicle, because it’s the front line of defense when it comes to keeping contaminants out of your transmission fluid. Most automobile manufacturers recommend a transmission filter change every 2 years, or every 25,000-30,000 miles.
Automatic Transmission Filter maintenance can sometimes feel a little more like voodoo than science. With so many automakers advertising “ lifetime ” transmission fluids that never need to be swapped out, you might think that the same also goes for the filter inside these gearbox.
The actual truth is a little more complex than that. Do you really need to change your gearbox’s filter? Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT DOES A FILTER CAN DO?
As the miles whiz by, your automatic transmission is under a lot of stress from the heat that is generated during normal operation. Internal gear wear can sometimes result in metal shavings floating around in the transmission fluid as your vehicle gets older, in order to keep things shifting smoothly, the transmission filter sifts out the metal and keeps it from causing problems. Because many gearboxes aren’t completely sealed-there are breather vents, a filler tube and a level check tube-sometimes dirt and other foreign particles can find their way inside the fluid as well, where they are also cleaned out by the filter.
WHEN TO CHANGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLITER?
Realistically, you’re not going to crack to open your transmission to check if the filter is clogged or not; it’s typically not the most convenient part to access. What you can do is replace the filter at the recommended transmission fluid change interval that you find in your owner’s manual, because you most likely have to drop the transmission pan to do the fluid swap. Sometimes a vehicle will also keep track of the fluid life inside its on-board computer and give you a warning when you are nearing its useful end.
Being aware of the signs to look out for will give you an idea of when it is necessary to undertake a repair:
-Noise
-Leakage
-Contamination
-Inability to change Gears
-Burning smell or smoke
-Jack up the vehicle
-Drain the Transmission Fluid
