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A transmission flush is an important maintenance to keep a car running smoothly. But how long does a transmission flush take? The time it takes to fully flush the transmission varies by car make/model, but in general, most mechanics can complete this process within 1 to 3 hours.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are many types of transmission flush and the duration also depends on the one you’re going for.
In today’s post, we’ll be looking at the average time it takes to complete a transmission flush, why transmission flush is important, how much transmission flush takes, and when to flush your transmission.
What Is Transmission Flushing?
Transmission flushing is the process of removing old fluid, dirt, and other contaminants from a car transmission.
Transmission flushing should be done every 15,000 miles or more depending on the frequency of driving conditions (e.g., stop and go traffic).
You may need to consult your car owner’s manual or a transmission expert for more specific information.
Why Is Transmission Flush Important?
Transmission flush is important because it prevents the transmission from being clogged or not functioning properly.
Without a flush, there is no way to know for sure if it has been cleaned before sending your car in for repairs.
How Long Does A Transmission Flush Take?
Transmission flush times vary based on what type of fluid you use, your car make/model, and how clean the system already is. But on average, the process of transmission flush typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours.
Often, the average time for the full process is not more than two hours, but depends on where you go and what type of vehicle needs servicing.
For example, if you are flushing an automatic transmission in factory original equipment, you can expect it to take less time.
On the other hand, if the car is a manual transmission vehicle, then there are more fluids that need to be drained and refilled with new fluid so this could cause an increase in service time of more than two hours depending on how much needs replacing.
How Do You Know If Your Transmission Needs A Flush?
There are several signs that indicate when it might be time for a fluid change and/or flush:
- Leaking
- Sludge buildup in the bottom
- Car hesitates or bucks during gear shifts
Other symptoms of a transmission that needs flushing include rough, jerky shifts or clunky noises when shifting.
If in doubt, have the car checked out by a professional technician to find out whether your transmission needs flushing.
How Often Should You Flush Your Transmission?
Transmission fluid should be drained and refilled with fresh fluid at least every 30,000 miles.
It is more important to flush the transmission for long periods of times during extreme driving conditions (i.e., when you experience high RPMs or your vehicle spends a lot of time in stop and go traffic).
Will A Transmission Flushing Hurt My Car?
Basically, there are two types of transmission fluid flush, and both will not damage your car. One type is the external or partial (non-drain) that usually only takes around half an hour to complete.
Another type is a full drain which can take up to three hours depending on the complexity of the vehicle’s gearbox system.
External Flush: This is done by removing the drain plug and replacing it with a funnel that collects old transmission fluid.
Full Drain Flush: The car’s gearbox system needs to be drained, cleaned, refilled then flushed again from top to bottom before reinstalling everything back in place. This process may take up to three hours.
Other FAQs About Transmission Flush
How long does a transmission flush take at jiffy lube?
It will take between 30 minutes to 1 hour to get a complete transmission flush at Jiffy Lube.
How Much Does A Transmission Flush Cost?
On average, a transmission flush can cost a person anywhere from $30 to as much as $750.
How long does a transmission flush take at Valvoline?
It will take an average of 30 minutes to get your transmission flushed at Valvoline.
What Is The Difference Between Transmission Fluid Change And Flush?
The major difference between transmission fluid change and flush is that when changing the transmission fluid, only the old and dirty oil is replaced with new fresh one.
On the contrary, when there are more contaminants in the transmission, a flush might be necessary to remove those substances from the system.
Transmission flushes will clean out all of these deposits and waste that has built up over time so it’s needed less often than just an oil change.
Conclusion
A transmission flush is an important maintenance to keep a car running smoothly. How long does a transmission flush take?
The time it takes to fully flush the transmission varies, but in general, most mechanics can complete this process within 3 hours.
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