Beshoff Infiniti
2198 Tully Road San Jose, CA 95122Sales: (888) 458-1387
- Email: (408) 531-3000
- Parts: (408) 531-3028
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Automatic Transmission Fluid Servicing
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(ATF)
As part of Infiniti's Premium Schedule replacement is recommended every 30,000 miles or 24-months, which ever comes first (except 2008-2010 G37 and 2010 M35 or EX35 7-speed transmissions). ATF is not included in any Schedule 1 or 2 service but should be considered as an add-on service. Beshoff uses fresh Castrol Import ATF which is designed for Matic-D and Matic-J ATF fluid applications.
Why ATF Wears Out
An automatic transmission creates a lot of internal heat through friction: the friction of the fluid churning inside the torque converter, friction created when the clutch plates engage, and the normal friction created by gears and bearings carrying their loads.
It doesn't take long for the ATF to heat up once the vehicle is in motion. Normal driving will raise fluid temperatures to 175 degrees F., which is the usual temperature range at which most fluids are designed to operate. If fluid temperatures can be held to 175 degrees F. ATF will last almost indefinitely, up to 100,000 miles. But if the fluid temperature goes much higher, the life of the fluid begins to plummet. The problem is even normal driving can push fluid temperatures well beyond safe limits.
At elevated operating temperatures, ATF oxidizes, turns brown and takes on a smell like burnt toast. As heat destroys the fluid's lubricating qualities and friction characteristics, varnish begins to form on internal parts (such as the valve body) which interferes with the operation of the transmission. If the temperature gets above 250 degrees F., rubber seals begin to harden, which leads to leaks and pressure losses. At higher temperatures the transmission begins to slip, which only aggravates overheating even more. Eventually the clutches burn out and the transmission calls it quits. As a rule of thumb, every 20 degree increase in operating temperature above 175 degrees F. cuts the life of the fluid in half!
If you think this is propaganda put forth by the suppliers of ATF to sell more fluid, think again. According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of ALL transmission failures are caused by overheating. And most of these can be blamed on worn out fluid that should have been replaced.
Any number of things can push ATF temperatures beyond the system's ability to maintain safe limits: towing a trailer, mountain driving, driving at sustained high speeds during hot weather, stop-and-go driving in city traffic.
What is the difference between ADF "change" and "flush"?
It is usually sufficient to change transmission fluid by simply draining the fluid. However, some oil will remain in the torque converter. Provided ATF has been replacement regularly at 30,000 miles or 2-years, the oil remaining in the torque converter will not cause problems. On the other hand, if the ATF has not been replaced regularly, if driving has included sustained high speed, towing, extensive stop-go driving, or other contributors that may result in overheated transmission fluid, it may be advisable to flush the transmission to extract the maximum amount of the over worked oil. Infiniti lists 'Flush' as an optional step as part of 30,000 / 2-yr Premium Schedule Service.
Flushing involves draining and filling the transmission with fresh ATF, operating the transmission so that the fresh ATF will circulate through the torque converter then draining the now partially contaminated oil. The process is repeated and then the transmission receives its third fill of fresh ATF. This method provides a fairly effective means to replace the oil in the torque converter. Recently the market has offered pressurized flush machines that save on the manual labor involved. We caution against these devises as there is inherent risk that pressure can cause releasing of accumulated sludge which float free and clog the tiny control valve passageways.
As part of Infiniti's Premium Schedule replacement is recommended every 30,000 miles or 24-months, which ever comes first (except 2008-2010 G37 and 2010 M35 or EX35 7-speed transmissions). ATF is not included in any Schedule 1 or 2 service but should be considered as an add-on service. Beshoff uses fresh Castrol Import ATF which is designed for Matic-D and Matic-J ATF fluid applications.
Why ATF Wears Out
An automatic transmission creates a lot of internal heat through friction: the friction of the fluid churning inside the torque converter, friction created when the clutch plates engage, and the normal friction created by gears and bearings carrying their loads.
It doesn't take long for the ATF to heat up once the vehicle is in motion. Normal driving will raise fluid temperatures to 175 degrees F., which is the usual temperature range at which most fluids are designed to operate. If fluid temperatures can be held to 175 degrees F. ATF will last almost indefinitely, up to 100,000 miles. But if the fluid temperature goes much higher, the life of the fluid begins to plummet. The problem is even normal driving can push fluid temperatures well beyond safe limits.
At elevated operating temperatures, ATF oxidizes, turns brown and takes on a smell like burnt toast. As heat destroys the fluid's lubricating qualities and friction characteristics, varnish begins to form on internal parts (such as the valve body) which interferes with the operation of the transmission. If the temperature gets above 250 degrees F., rubber seals begin to harden, which leads to leaks and pressure losses. At higher temperatures the transmission begins to slip, which only aggravates overheating even more. Eventually the clutches burn out and the transmission calls it quits. As a rule of thumb, every 20 degree increase in operating temperature above 175 degrees F. cuts the life of the fluid in half!
If you think this is propaganda put forth by the suppliers of ATF to sell more fluid, think again. According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of ALL transmission failures are caused by overheating. And most of these can be blamed on worn out fluid that should have been replaced.
Any number of things can push ATF temperatures beyond the system's ability to maintain safe limits: towing a trailer, mountain driving, driving at sustained high speeds during hot weather, stop-and-go driving in city traffic.
What is the difference between ADF "change" and "flush"?
It is usually sufficient to change transmission fluid by simply draining the fluid. However, some oil will remain in the torque converter. Provided ATF has been replacement regularly at 30,000 miles or 2-years, the oil remaining in the torque converter will not cause problems. On the other hand, if the ATF has not been replaced regularly, if driving has included sustained high speed, towing, extensive stop-go driving, or other contributors that may result in overheated transmission fluid, it may be advisable to flush the transmission to extract the maximum amount of the over worked oil. Infiniti lists 'Flush' as an optional step as part of 30,000 / 2-yr Premium Schedule Service.
Flushing involves draining and filling the transmission with fresh ATF, operating the transmission so that the fresh ATF will circulate through the torque converter then draining the now partially contaminated oil. The process is repeated and then the transmission receives its third fill of fresh ATF. This method provides a fairly effective means to replace the oil in the torque converter. Recently the market has offered pressurized flush machines that save on the manual labor involved. We caution against these devises as there is inherent risk that pressure can cause releasing of accumulated sludge which float free and clog the tiny control valve passageways.
Contact Information
- Beshoff Infiniti
-
2198 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95122 -
- sales Sales:
- (888) 458-1387
- service Service:
- (408) 531-3000
- parts Parts:
- (408) 531-3028
Website by Dealer.com
Beshoff Infiniti
2198 Tully Road
San Jose,
CA
95122