Beshoff Infiniti
2198 Tully Road San Jose, CA 95122Sales: (888) 458-1387
- Email: (408) 531-3000
- Parts: (408) 531-3028
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Service- Menu-Trasmission-Gear-Oil-Info
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
For optimum protection, change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles or 24-months, which ever comes first. Exceptions are the 2008 and later G37 with 7-speed transmission, M35 or EX35 that is filled which is supposed for the life of the vehicle. 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 automatic transmission fluid (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 -- say 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. And once that happens, the trouble begins.
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!
At 195 degrees F., for instance, fluid life is reduced to 50,000 miles. At 220 degrees, which is commonly encountered in many transmissions, the fluid is only good for about 25,000 miles. At 240 degrees F., the fluid won't go much over 10,000 miles. Add another 20 degrees, and life expectancy drops to 5,000 miles. Go to 295 or 300 degrees F., and 1,000 to 1,500 miles is about all you'll get before the transmission burns up.
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, "rocking" an automatic transmission from drive to reverse to free a tire from mud or snow, etc. Problems in the cooling system itself such as a low coolant level, a defective cooling fan, fan clutch, thermostat or water pump, an obstructed radiator, etc., will also diminish ATF cooling efficiency.
What is the difference between ATF '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. With regular oil replacement of 30,000 miles or 2-years the small amount of remaining oil oil is not a cause for concern. On the other hand, if driving has included sustained high speed , towing, extensive stop-go driving, or other contributors hat has resulted in overheated transmission fluid, it may be advisable to flush the transmission to extract the maximum amount of the over worked oil. This involves draining and filling the transmission with ATF, operating the transmission to circulate fluid through the torque converter, and repeating the process two additional times. This method provides a fairly effective means to replaceme the oil in the torque converter. We do not recommend pressurized flushing machines as the inherent risk that pressure can cause by releasing accumulated sludge which float free and clog control valve passageways.
For optimum protection, change the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles or 24-months, which ever comes first. Exceptions are the 2008 and later G37 with 7-speed transmission, M35 or EX35 that is filled which is supposed for the life of the vehicle. 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 automatic transmission fluid (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 -- say 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. And once that happens, the trouble begins.
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!
At 195 degrees F., for instance, fluid life is reduced to 50,000 miles. At 220 degrees, which is commonly encountered in many transmissions, the fluid is only good for about 25,000 miles. At 240 degrees F., the fluid won't go much over 10,000 miles. Add another 20 degrees, and life expectancy drops to 5,000 miles. Go to 295 or 300 degrees F., and 1,000 to 1,500 miles is about all you'll get before the transmission burns up.
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, "rocking" an automatic transmission from drive to reverse to free a tire from mud or snow, etc. Problems in the cooling system itself such as a low coolant level, a defective cooling fan, fan clutch, thermostat or water pump, an obstructed radiator, etc., will also diminish ATF cooling efficiency.
What is the difference between ATF '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. With regular oil replacement of 30,000 miles or 2-years the small amount of remaining oil oil is not a cause for concern. On the other hand, if driving has included sustained high speed , towing, extensive stop-go driving, or other contributors hat has resulted in overheated transmission fluid, it may be advisable to flush the transmission to extract the maximum amount of the over worked oil. This involves draining and filling the transmission with ATF, operating the transmission to circulate fluid through the torque converter, and repeating the process two additional times. This method provides a fairly effective means to replaceme the oil in the torque converter. We do not recommend pressurized flushing machines as the inherent risk that pressure can cause by releasing accumulated sludge which float free and clog control valve passageways.
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Beshoff Infiniti
2198 Tully Road
San Jose,
CA
95122