I have a
2017 Elantra 2.0L DOHC
Automatic Transmission (Hyundai A6GF1 6 Speed)
with 82k miles of mostly city driving. Is changing my transmission fluid every 20k miles overkill?
Also, is there a difference between flush and drain/fill? I've always changed it myself and used the drain/fill method. Thanks
Is changing my transmission fluid every 20k miles overkill?
Yes. Most trannies are OK with around 60k miles.
Hyundai though ... 30 or 40k. They're not very strong.
Also, is there a difference between flush and drain/fill?
Yes. A flush or exchange replaces nearly all the fluid, including what's trapped in the cooler lines, torque converter, etc.
I've always changed it myself and used the drain/fill method.
Nothing wrong with that if you change it regularly. Make sure you change the filter too.
Read more in the transmission topic in the Frequently Asked Questions.
That depends on where you’re located and the driving conditions you most frequently encounter.
In a lot of hot & humid regions, a lot of OEMs will recommend changing the automatic transmission fluid every 40,000-60,000 kms (25,000-35,000 miles).
The last time I changed the automatic transmission fluid in one of my vehicles, it was brown (supposed to be red/pink), and this was after 20,000 miles driving in hot & humid weather. As a result, I’ve made a mental note to change the tranny fluid even earlier than the manufacturer recommends in my vehicles, due to my driving environment.
A recent video from a famous YouTuber seems to arrive at similar conclusions -
The one in the video is a CVT. It's a completely different beast that requires frequent service. OP has a conventional automatic.
Agreed, and I should have put a disclaimer about it, in my post. Thanks for pointing it out.
Trade offs. Might be marginal benefit over a longer interval, but every time you open the transmission there is a chance for error. Unless you’re towing, I’d probably go at least 30.
If it were mine, I would be switching the fluid with amsoil's transmission fluid fast. I have been using it for years, it always makes my tranny shift better, and I have never had issues. Many people that have cars with not so good transmission say it makes them last much longer than the average life.
You could also take some guess work out of how your transmission is aging.
There are a number of laboratories that offer fluid tests for engine oil and transmission fluid.
They can test your oil and provide you with an analysis showing the level of metals, etc.
It may provide you with a good snapshot of how it's holding up.
the testing often costs the same or more than just changing the fluid.
Price wise, I think it's around $40. They advertise the analysis as an early warning system. I've seen sample reports, and they reveal the amount of contamination along with wear rates and the overall condition of the transmission. They also compare the solids in the fluid with the average rate of solids based on the parameters they are using. For instance, if the oil looks good, there would be zero reason to change the fluid prematurely, saving money in the future. If the fluid was showing a high level of contamination, changing the fluid earlier may prolong the transmission life.
Assume you are draining about one third with each drain and fill. Every 20k sounds reasonable to me. That is what I am doing with my Camry.
