Your automatic transmission is one of the most complex parts of your vehicle, and one of the most expensive to repair and rebuild if things go wrong. That's why maintenance with the right automatic transmission components is so vital. Get started in your search for automatic transmission components by entering your specific car model and year in the “add a vehicle” section above.
Heat is the enemy of your automatic transmission. It relies on automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to cool and lubricate internal parts and transfer torque through the unit. Hard use such as towing or hauling heavy loads will raise internal temperatures in the transmission and degrade the ATF, shortening its useful life. ATF should be a light pink or magenta color; fluid that's darker, brownish or has a burnt-toast smell should be changed right away.
It's vitally important to your transmission's overall health to adhere to manufacturer's recommended service intervals. NOTE: At one time, automatic transmissions only used two or three varieties of fluid. Now, there are more than a dozen formulations that are designed with friction modifiers, detergents and other additive packages for specific makes and models. Be 100% sure what type of fluid you're using - the wrong fluid will quickly damage or destroy a transmission.