Transmission fluid is a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission. In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.
A variety of fluids are used for different types of transmissions. Automatic transmissions use something called — surprisingly enough — automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils (gear oils) or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. A professional repair facility (or your owners manual) will tell you what type of fluid your transmission requires.
An automatic transmission is one of the most expensive components on a vehicle. It makes sense to protect such an investment. If you are like us, you want to protect your automatic transmission from damage and premature wear. However, there is misinformation everywhere. Knowing at which mileage to service an automatic transmission can be difficult. Different factors such as vehicle usage can also change how long automatic transmission fluid will last. If you are driving mostly highway miles while say, commuting to work; your fluid will not break down as quickly as someone driving mostly in town and stop and go traffic.
THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL
Many companies that rate vehicle’s, base their recommendations on the published maintenance schedule. Manufacturers know this and deliberately extend their service recommendations. This appears as a benefit which lowers the overall cost of ownership. This is not in the best interest of people that keep vehicles a long time. (The average age of vehicles driven in the United States is 11.4 years!) For instance, recommending an automatic transmission service at 100,000 miles appears to cost half as much as recommending 50,000 miles. The problem is, the odds of problems increase exponentially at higher mileages when automatic transmission services are not performed in a timely fashion.
The overall lowest cost is to replace the fluid before usage completely depletes it’s protective and cooling abilities. A proper automatic transmission service at 50,000 miles may prevent the need to rebuild or replace the automatic transmission at 120,000 miles. Under severe conditions, such as towing, a 30,000-mile interval is better. The same can be true with automatic transmissions that have non-serviceable filters
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
In normal operation, automatic transmissions will generate heat and some debris (metal shavings). Most of the debris comes from gears and bushings and clutches as they wear. This material circulates with the automatic transmission fluid until it’s removed by the automatic transmission filter. In time the debris may block pores in the filter. This restricts the flow of automatic transmission fluid and can damage the transmission. A proper automatic transmission service greatly reduces the chance of such a problem.
Heat is also a problem and causes the automatic transmission fluid additives to fail. Most heat is generated in the torque converter. The torque converter supplies the link between the engine and the automatic transmission. It is also designed to slip like a clutch, allowing the vehicle to stand still while the engine continues to run.
New fluid restores the holding power between the clutches and helps to reduce slip and heat production.
At the same time, flushing the old fluid washes away tiny particles of clutch material and metal shavings (debris). Those particles clog passages and wedge between moving parts, causing pre-mature wear throughout the transmission. Changing the fluid eliminates those particles and the wear they cause.
The net result of changing the fluid is to provide better lubrication, improve the holding ability of the friction components, and reduced heat. This extends the life of your transmission so your transmission works longer and better; which of course means you’re less likely to face a major transmission repair or replacement!)
HOW THE BG TRANSMISSION SERVICE WORKS
The BG transmission service is a 3 step process. First, BG Quick Clean for transmissions is installed into the vehicle. BG Quick Clean for Transmissions dissolves and removes deposits from the valve body, the filter screen, and many other critical transmission components. An important part of the BG Transmission Service, it is used with the BG PXT™ Performance Exchange™ for Transmissions.
Second, after installing BG Quick Clean, the BG PXT2 Performance Exchange machine is used to remove the old transmission fluid. The PXT2 for Transmissions and Power Steering rapidly and effectively removes worn-out transmission fluid and accumulated debris. It replaces the old fluid with new transmission fluid and conditioner. The BG PXT2 also performs simple transmission drain-and-fill services.
BG PXT2 features a built-in computer with a full-color and multi-language touchscreen that allows users to select weight measurements in gallons or liters. It also guides the technician through each step of the fluid exchange process and records the number of services performed. With adjustable fluid metering control, technicians can customize each service to model-specific requirements.
310-3106 BG ATC PLUS
The last step is to install BG ATC Plus.
BG ATC Plus packs a punch for automatic transmission fluid!
BG ATC Plus (when installed along with the factory recommended or BG Universal Synthetic ATF . Application charts here and here) prevents deposit formation, thereby extending fluid life and the life of the transmission. BG ATC Plus is a professional use product that is an essential part of the BG Transmission Service. BG ATC Plus can also help correct and prevent transmission shudder and shift problems; it aids in preventing transmission leaks by keeping seals soft and pliable. In essence, it helps prevent transmission failure.
In summary, a BG Transmission service provides the following:
Features:
- Dissolves and suspends deposits
- Rids all old fluid and suspended debris
- Installs new automatic transmission fluid
- Fortifies new fluid with seal conditioners, oxidation inhibitors, and shift improvers
Benefits:
- Prevents deposit formation
- Restores transmission performance
- Prolongs transmission life
As someone once said, an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Or in this case, a BG Transmission service is worth not having to repair or replace your transmission!
