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.

No, dirty gearbox oil will not lead to an MOT failure. The inner workings and hence fluid are not assessed during an MOT as only safety-critical and structural issues are checked for (for example transmission joints or bearings are checked).

A gearbox service for an automatic car can cost from £150 to over £250, depending on the type of gearbox and the parts required.

A gearbox or transmission service on an automatic car differs from a simple gearbox oil drain & refill in that it involves the replacement of a filter as well as a gasket or sealant. During a gearbox service the mechanic would lift the car and drain any fluid before the sump is removed to clean transmission parts and replace the filter. Once the sump is refitted with the new gasket or sealant the transmission unit is filled with new ATF again. Manufacturer procedures are followed during this process, which may involve plugging in a diagnostic tool to run the transmission through the process. Eventually the gearbox is run through the selection routine to ensure it runs smoothly.

A gearbox should be serviced according to the recommended manufacturer service schedule or if an issue with the gearbox has been identified. For example, if the gearbox fails to change gears, there is a jerky gear shift or the transmission overheats a gearbox service may help remedy these issues.

There's a number of tell-tale signs that can indicate that the gearbox oil level is low:

• Trouble shifting gears
• Gearbox overheats
• Noises from the gearbox
• Delayed engagement of gears
• Vibrations from the gearbox

You can usually check the gearbox oil level via a gearbox oil dipstick in the engine bay of your car. Some cars may not have one, then check the owner's manual for instructions on where and how to check the oil level. Often it will mean that you will need to lift the vehicle and check directly on the transmission by removing the oil fill cap and inserting a manufacturer advised tool to check the level and condition.

An automatic transmission fluid flush or gearbox fluid flush is a process in which all of the old, dirty fluid is flushed out of the transmission and replaced with new, clean fluid. This helps to keep the transmission running smoothly and helps to prevent more complex and expensive problems with the transmission

Technically you can do it but is not recommended as not carrying out a flush means the transmission system will still have old fluid, debris, particles and deposits that can cause a transmission failure.

Overfilling with transmission fluid can lead to the leakage of the fluid from the gearbox. In some cases, it can cause the transmission to overheat and fail.

Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that is used to power automatic transmissions (in an automatic car). Gearbox oil is a type of lubricant that is used to protect and lubricate the moving parts in a gearbox (in a manual car).

If you don't change the gearbox oil when recommended, it can become contaminated. It may slip or may not shift gears properly and can also cause damage to the clutch system.