Gearbox Oil change & replacement made easy

The gearbox fluid is a fluid that lubricates the internal components of the gearbox, vital for keeping the internals running smoothly. If your car has an automatic gearbox, the fluid has an extra function in that it is also the fluid powering the hydraulic system, vital for moving the internal parts of the gearbox. Additionally, a steady supply of fluid cools the automatic gearbox.

• The mechanic will inspect the fluid.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the fluid.
• The mechanic will test drive the car and inspect the gearbox.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a gearbox oil change is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• When the gearbox's fluid has discoloured.
• When you have trouble changing gear.
• When the gearbox temperature light on the car's dashboard is on.
• When there is a grinding noise coming from the gearbox.

A gearbox oil change usually takes around 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Most manufacturers recommend that you change gearbox oil at between 30,000 and 60,000 miles and at regular intervals after that. If you do a lot of driving in urban areas, where you’re often changing up and down through your gears, you drive your car for a living so the gearbox gets plenty of use, it’s sometimes advisable to change your gearbox oil as often as every 15,000 miles.

Always service the gearbox fluid as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer. It is essential that the fluid is kept in superb condition to ensure the gearbox does not suffer from excessive wear or damage. This should contribute to a prolonged and unproblematic gearbox lifespan.

Should you experience problems prior to the next scheduled service as stipulated by the manufacturer it is important to have the gearbox inspected and, if necessary, have the gearbox fluid replaced.

Like any kind of greasy substance that you put inside the workings of your car, gearbox oil will lose its effectiveness over time. It can also leak, and if you spot such a problem, you should always get it investigated, and the oil topped up if necessary.

If you change gears gently, you will be giving yourself a good chance of extending the time between two gearbox fluid changes.

Using a more heat resistant synthetic oil can also contribute to a longer timespan.

Yes, the gearbox oil protects a variety of moving parts, and these can be damaged if the oil isn’t up to the job. The fluid in your gearbox can become contaminated with other liquids and if you even occasionally change gears roughly, this can deposit tiny pieces of metal shavings into your gearbox oil. These stop it from working as effectively as it should, and shorten the life of your whole gearbox and in the worst case, cause serious damage.

Yes, it is important to replace the gearbox oil as per the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer. As the gearbox oil protects a gearbox's moving parts it's worth making sure the gearbox oil is in good condition to prevent damage and improve performance.

Manual gearboxes are closed units and their operation is dependent on the quality of the oil contained within them, much like an engine requires good oil. Unfortunately, before issues become apparent to the driver, the damage is already done. If you suspect there is any issue with the gearbox oil or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic with immediate effect. Driving the vehicle with bad gearbox oil may lead to further complications or damage to your gearbox.