The transmission is the component of your vehicle that transfers the power from the engine to the wheels. It comprises many moving parts, including gears, clutches, and torque converters. Since it’s responsible for transmitting so much power, it has to be durable and efficient. Though automatic transmissions don’t require regular maintenance as the manual transmission does, they still need attention. One component of your automatic transmission that needs to be checked is the filter. An automatic transmission filter is responsible for trapping debris that may damage other components in the transmission.
Telltale Signs that Your Automatic Transmission Filter Need to Be Changed
Here are indicators that your transmission filter needs to be changed. Check here if you want to purchase transmission parts online.
Presence of debris– The main indicator that you should change your automatic transmission filter is when there is a lot of debris. The type of debris accumulating in a transmission filter shows you what kind of wear and tear the transmission has undergone. If there are a lot of metal shavings, then you know some parts are wearing down faster than usual and may need replacing soon. If there are large amounts of dirt or rust, you might have a leak somewhere in your system and should have it checked out sooner rather than later.
Burning smell– Such smells in a car are usually caused by worn transmission filters. The primary purpose of transmission filters is to keep the transmission from overheating. Transmissions can overheat for many reasons, including:
-Running through the water or on roads that have been recently washed
-Driving over bumps and potholes
-Driving up steep hills
A noisy neutral: If your car is hard to shift into neutral, it may be time to replace your filter. Automatic transmission filters are designed to catch metal particles and small amounts of debris that can damage the transmission over time. Filters can become clogged with debris and cause a rattling sensation while shifting into neutral.
Smoking under the hood: Excessively smoking from under your hood could indicate problems with your transmission or a leak in a gasket nearby. This can cause excessive pressure inside the transmission, which results in engine oil not being able to adequately lubricate the bearings inside the unit. If this pressure is not relieved, severe internal damage could occur, possibly requiring the replacement of the complete transmission unit at a very high cost.
Problems changing gears: If you’re having problems changing gears, it’s time to replace your transmission filter. You may have a clogged transmission fluid filter, which could be causing the problem. It is also possible that the transmission fluid has become contaminated with minerals, which will also cause problems when it comes to changing gears in your car.
Uneven shifting: If you notice problems shifting between gears, it may be time for a new transmission filter. This can usually be fixed by simply washing out some old fluid and replacing it with new fluid once again. Ensure you use only recommended fluids. However, if this doesn’t work, it might be time to change out your entire transmission system.
Key Takeaway
Automatic transmission filters are not typically inspected or changed during routine oil changes. However, in most cases, when the filter is clogged or dirty, it will cause the transmission to shift roughly. This can be more noticeable when going from a stop or from low speeds up to higher speeds. While there are no absolute rules for changing transmission filters, there are some signs that replacing the filter might be a good idea.
