What Transmission Fluid Does the Manufacturer Call For?

Beginning in the late 1990s, many different auto manufacturers have required the use of unique, specially formulated transmission fluids they have engineered for their new or updated transmissions. These new high-tech fluids make a transmission shift and "feel" the way they are designed to, perform properly over a wider range of temperatures, allow the use of newer electronic transmission control components and generally work better than earlier basic transmission fluids. They are also more expensive, sometimes substantially so.

The specified fluid for a particular car is often stated on the transmission dipstick, but not always. Some newer transmissions don't even have a dipstick. Because of the different fluids and prices for these fluids, it is sometimes challenging to give a quick estimate for a transmission service without checking reference literature and/or looking a tthe car.

Transmissions Are Serviced in Different Ways
What Transmission Fluid Does the Manufacturer Call For?
A Service Is More Than Just Replacing Fluid
Basic Checks We Perform
Pan Only, Pan-On & Pan-Off Flushes