Having a car is practically like having a child, we are constantly looking to make sure it is well and that it does not lack anything, but do we know everything that our automatic vehicles need? As you may already know, automatic cars are gaining more and more space on the roads around the world, and how comfortable are they? It is normal that we prefer them over gearboxes, which are becoming outdated and obsolete.
But, just as we did take into account oil changes and maintenance with our cars, we also have to take it into account with our automatic vehicles because it also wears out and also needs to be changed. Ignoring this will only result in you having to take your car to the garage and can cost you a lot of money.
A mechanic specializing in BMW and Mini, through a viral video on TikTok, has explained that changing the oil is key to the longevity of the vehicle even though there are manufacturers who suggest that it is not necessary to do so. We tell you everything below!
How often should you change the transmission oil?
This mechanic explains that the first oil change should be done after 90,000 kilometres, and that after that, it will be necessary to repeat it after 60,000 kilometres, and that it is very important for our car to work correctly (and thus avoid one of the most expensive vehicle breakdowns…)
And how do I remember that?
This mechanic suggests a very easy and simple trick: if the engine oil is changed every 30,000 kilometres, every two engine oil changes the transmission oil will have to be changed. Easy, right?
And if the brand says otherwise?
This mechanic reaffirms: oil changes should be done with this frequency, no matter what the brand says and no matter what other people say, because depending on the model and make of car, maintenance can cost up to $500, but… Ignoring it and ending up having a breakdown could create a hole in your wallet of more than $2,000, so, we better keep that in mind from now on.
Why don’t brands insist on this maintenance?
The answer is clear, promoting vehicles as “maintenance-free” will make them sell more vehicles because they give a feeling of reliability and low cost in the long term, but it is far from reality because this lack of maintenance can translate into serious problems as the car ages…
And the fact is, many workshops have seen vehicles that have had to have their gearboxes completely replaced before 200,000 kilometres, and changing or fixing it can cost you more than your car would cost…
And what do other mechanics recommend?
All independent mechanics (meaning not affiliated with any dealership) insist that oil changes are essential, and that it is more advisable to go to a trusted mechanic who can assess the condition of the transmission oil than to follow the manufacturer’s instructions…
So, as we were saying, our cars are like our little children, they need us to take care of them and check them to avoid them suffering as much as possible (and to have a long and useful life). You already know that every two engine oil changes we have to change the transmission oil, and if we forget to do it by any chance, we could be talking about repairs that cost us thousands of dollars (but nobody wants that…). As prevention is better than cure, good maintenance will always be the best option for our vehicles! And you, how often do you change the maitenance oil in your vehicle? Maybe it is time!