SYSTEMS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
CHANGING YOUR ATF
AUTO. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE PROCEDUREATF Change Interval
You should change your automatic transmission fluid, fluid filter and transmission pan gasket together at intervals according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. This usually means every 30,000 miles for driving in severe conditions, which includes at least one of the following:
- in mountainous terrain
- on snow or ice
- over 15,000 miles annually
- in hot weather (over 90° F.)
- while towing a trailer or boat, or using a car top carrier
- in stop-and-go traffic
Additional demands placed on the transmission will create extra heat and this heat will wear out automatic transmission fluid sooner than normal. For normal driving, which excludes conditions listed above, you should be able to make your automatic transmission fluid last 60,000 miles before it needs a change. Automatic transmission fluid should also be changed before the prescribed interval if it does not look or smell new.
SYSTEMS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGING YOUR ATF AUTO. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE PROCEDURE