If your transmission gives out, your car may go into limp mode, meaning loss of power, limited speeds (30 to 45 mph) and only a single available gear (2nd or 3rd). And all of this could happen while you’re driving on the highway. Not only is this dangerous, but it can be expensive too. Several thousand dollars’ worth of ‘expensive’. To prevent this from happening and extend the life of your transmission, get your transmission fluid changed regularly.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Alternatively, there’s the option of getting your transmission flushed, which will cost about twice as much as a change.
How Much Does a Transmission Fluid Change Cost?
The cost to have your fluid changed by a dealer, service center or independent mechanic ranges from $80 to $250. The average cost is around $100 for both automatic and manual transmissions.
We recommend getting the filter replaced and pan cleaned every time the fluid is changed. Contaminants are collected by the filter and pan over time which can reduce the effectiveness of new fluid if they are not removed. It isn’t necessary to do this every time, but it will help your transmission last longer which we believe is worth the additional fees.
| Transmission Fluid Change Cost | |
|---|---|
| Range | $80 to $250 |
| Mechanic | $80 to $150 |
| Dealership | $150 to $250 |
| Do it Yourself | $40 to $90 |
Modern cars usually require a specific type of transmission fluid like ATF+4 or SP4, which can range in price from $8 to $20 per quart. The average fluid change requires 5 to 15 quarts of fluid ($50-$120), a new filter ($15-$30), and sometimes, a new pan gasket (typically included in filter kits) for a total of roughly $75 – $150.
Factors that Affect the Cost
- Whether the job is done by a dealership, mechanic/service center or yourself
- The make and model of your vehicle (high-end brands cost more)
- Type of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) used
- How much fluid is needed to fill your car
- Cost of living (labor) in your area
Mechanic or Service Center – The most common option. Expect to pay around $100.
Dealership – The most expensive option. A dealership is going to cost 2-3 times more, averaging around $220.
Do it Yourself – The cheapest option. Changing the fluid yourself will cut the price approximately in half – down to $40 to $90 for the gasket, new filter and of course the transmission fluid. The process is very straightforward for most cars as long as you have the right tools for the job, so if you’re feeling motivated and willing to learn the process, you can save some money. Note: this price range assumes you already have the tools required (socket wrench, mallet, screwdrivers, safety glasses, clean rag and a pan large enough to catch all the fluid as it drains).
However, it can be a messy process. Some automatic transmissions don’t have drain plugs, so you have to carefully remove some of the pan bolts while the fluid is still inside. If this is the case, you’ll need a large catch pan for the old fluid to drain into, and a bag of cat litter to soak up any spilled ATF. The job is quite straightforward, but you will see why many people pay to have it done.
High End/Luxury Vehicles – High end cars are not cheap to maintain. For example, changing the transmission fluid on a paddle-shift Lamborghini can cost upwards of $750.
What is a Transmission Fluid Change?
An automatic transmission uses a special blend of hydraulic fluid to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. This liquid is vital for many processes, including:
- Actuating gear changes
- Transferring power from the engine to the transmission inside the torque converter
- Absorbing and removing heat generated by the moving parts inside the gearbox
So as you can see, transmission fluid is constantly being subjected to high heat, pressure and friction.
As the miles add up, this wear and tear causes the transmission fluid to become thin and dirty – losing it’s ability to remove heat from inside the transmission. If the fluid isn’t changed, high operating temperatures will cause the transmission to wear out much faster than it should.
Changing your transmission fluid is a relatively straightforward process that you can do yourself.
To change the fluid, a car should be run or driven for a while in order to warm the fluids up to normal operating temperatures. The car is then elevated enough (on a ramp, lift or jack) to provide access to the transmission pan. To drain the fluid, the entire pan or just the plug can be removed. The benefit of removing the pan is that it can be checked for warning signs of developing problems such as sludge and debris, and be thoroughly cleaned. The filter and gasket are then replaced and the pan/plug is re-attached. Finally, the recommended amount of new fluid is poured into the reservoir.
There will still be 5-8 quarts of old transmission fluid inside the torque converter, and that old ATF will mix with the new when you start the engine. So for the best results, it’s recommended that you completely drain and refill the transmission fluid 2-3 times, to get all of the old fluid out.
What Transmission Do I Have?
How Often Should it Be Done?
A transmission fluid change should be done every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or at least one every 2 years or so. ATF is just like motor oil – it has to be changed periodically (along with the filter) in order to keep your vehicle functioning properly. Check your car’s owner’s manual to find the exact mileage interval in the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
Slipping, causing car, 2008 VW JETTA, to bog down.
Transmission needs service
The tranny does a shuddering sensation at 45 mph or above. It is thought to be torque converter problem.
It change to the 1st gear easy but its a hard change to the other gears…2003 Suburban
My truck is barely accelerating and jerks when in reverse or drive, before taking off.
Loud noise out of the axle but shifts and runs good??????
Loud noise out the rear end.
I have a 1989 motorhome on a chev chassis with only 47,345 miles. Is it nessary to change the transmission fluid because of its age???
My car does not shift from 2nd to 3rd
It’s a 06 Infinity fx 35
No problem, car runs very good, just not sure if the previous owner changed the transmission fluid, I have high miles on my car. 171500 miles it’s a 2003 infiniti g35 coupe
It wont shift to 3rd gear and dont have any engine light at all
I have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra with 140K miles. The transmission causes the car to jerk at lower speeds as if it is sticking momentarily. I had thought it transmission fluid and filter were being serviced every 30K miles. I think now the dealer was just visually checking for leaks. Would a transmission servicing help my problem?
No problem
Honda Dealer In San Fernando wants to charge 380 🙂 ugh im ok .
Audi dealer wants to charge 750 even though I was told by an experience mechanic that it will cost no more than 150
What would make it shack and act like it don’t want to shift.
$320 -$329 is too too high for fluid &filter change
Do not go to a Nissan dealership for a versa stadium and Fontana dealerships charge 380
I just had my transmission oil changed for the 1st time at 50.000 K. I found a fair amount of filings in the filter is this normal
First question what kind of car do you have. Second question why was the “filter” removed. If you have an Allison transmission, a Subaru with external filter, or an old Saturn, this is unnecessary and actually advised not to be done by most manufacturers ever and those that do recommend it only recommend it every 150,000 miles plus. And actually it is farely common to see some metal shavings. If your fluid looks like the tinman or you have huge clumps or extremely large chunks then you might want to have it checked. If you did the service your self you might have voided your warranty though.
Smooth shifting after this service. I Highly recommend it. Better to change the fluid early.
Had mine changed yesterday at a local garage know for its quality work.
Cost for transmission fluid change and oil change $175 total. Hope this helps.john
Does anyone know a good reliable place around Kent auburn area that will do a transmission flush that won’t be so costly? PLZ LET ME know thanks.
whatever you DO, DONT FLUSH THE TRANNY FLUID OR LET MECHANIC AT SHOP DO IT, IT RUINED THE TRANNY, BEEN THERE DONE THAT WITH NO RECOURSE
ONLY CHANGE IF HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS ON AUTOMATIC
MANUALS TRANNY FLUID LAST LONGER, BC YEP YOU MANUALLY SHIFT IT, BUT YOU WEAR OUT THE GEARS IF NOT CAREFUL
I PAID 300 TO REPEAR CLUTCH N ETC THEN SOMETHING ELSE WORN OUT I TRADED IT IN BEFORE IT TOTALLY DIED EVEN THEN ALL I GOT LIKE 75 FOR BC WAS NEW BATTERY