What Happens If I Put the Wrong Transmission Fluid in My Car?
August 28, 2022
Transmission fluid lubricates the internal components of your transmission. It’s very similar to how oil works in the engine. To run correctly your car needs the correct transmission fluid specific for your car. You can find this information by checking your owner’s manufacturer handbook or contact a professional transmission mechanic like Eagle Transmission of Mesquite.
If the wrong transmission fluid is put into your transmission by accident, first thing to do is to avoid driving your car. It can wreak havoc on your transmission resulting in damage beyond repair.
2 Main types of Transmission Fluids:
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF):
Automatic transmission fluid commonly referred to as ATF, is a type of transmission fluid used in vehicles with automatic transmission. An automatic transmission changes gears as required automatically. ATF is distinctly different from transmission fluid made for a manual transmission. Automatic transmission fluid ensures proper operation and protect the transmission. It is a key component of the system’s internal parts. It helps to lubricate moving parts and provides hydraulic pressure and fiction to make the internal parts operate and work correctly without overheating.
Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid (CVT):
Continuously Variable Transmission also know as CVT, is a type of transmission fluid specifically designed for passenger cars that uses a pair of variable-diameter pulley and belt or chain to provide unlimited gear ratios. CVT transmissions require CVT fluid which is formulated with full-synthetic, premium base oils, additives and shear stable viscosity modifiers that help prevent oil breakdown.
Accidentally Use Wrong Transmission Fluid:
Adding ATF to a CVT or vice versa is the most common situation of adding the wrong transmission fluid to your vehicle. This will eventually result in your transmission failing.
Warning Signs to look for:
1. Burning Smell from the transmission or hood.
2. Your car slips out of gear.
3. You have difficulty in shifting gears.
4. Grinding noise while driving
5. Transmission fluid is leaking.
6. Noisy sound while in neutral.
7. The clutch locks up.
8. Check engine light is on.
Wrong transmission fluid and what to do next:
If you use the incorrect transmission fluid, first step is to remove the fluid asap and get it check out by a shop that specializes in transmissions. This will minimize the amount of damage done to the transmission. If you have driven your car for a few miles already with the incorrect fluid, then it is possible you may need to replace your transmission.
Contact a transmission professional like Eagle Transmission Shop in Mesquite we offer a free initial check out and service all of Dallas including Oak Cliff .
It’s important to get your transmission looked at right away if your transmission has been slipping. It can be a warning sign of transmission failure heading your way. Various factors can cause a transmission to slip, and, in some cases, a minor repair may solve the problem. A major fix will require expert diagnostics, labor, and money.
Are you experiencing high engine revs and your vehicle doesn’t accelerate as much as it should then your transmission might be slipping. It’s not recommended to drive a vehicle with a slipping transmission. It could be dangerous for you, your vehicle, and even other vehicles
nearby. Continuing to drive with a slipping transmission can turn what might be a small relatively easy to repair problem into a larger issue that will cost significantly more to fix.
Unusual noises coming from your transmission is caused to be concern. Grinding, whining, clunking, humming, or buzzing sounds are the most common signs that point to a transmission problem.
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Here at Eagle Transmission in Mesquite our mechanics are transmission experts and can handle all makes and models of vehicles. When you need transmission service, we can take care of all your vehicle transmission needs right here in our transmission shop. Some of the different type of transmission services are:
Automatic transmission is one of the most complex systems in a vehicle. You need to pay close attention if your vehicle starts running differently such as strange sounds, peculiar smells, or handling differently while driving. These signs could indicate a problem with your transmission. Properly diagnosing the vehicle’s problem is very important.
There are no transmission additives out on the market that can take the place of preventive maintenance. You can’t expect transmission additives to make up for lack of proper maintenance or fix a broken transmission.
Whether you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, doing some research can help you avoid purchasing a car with major transmission problems. Here are a few models with the most problems and suggestions of better options according to The Consumer Report.
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First let’s start at the beginning. Many new drivers and even people that have been driving for years don’t know what kind of transmission is in their vehicle and that’s ok. But to be able to take care of your vehicle better, it’s best to know what type you have under the hood. So, let’s begin with discussing what is a transmission?