Vehicles run on power generated by the engine. This power is only useful if it can get to the wheels-that is where the transmission comes in. It transfers the power from the engine to the wheels through a series of parts and levers.
Within the transmission, rests another very important part-the transmission filter, which prevents dirt and dust from reaching other core parts in the transmission system. Without it, the transmission system would require multiple trips to the repair shops every month.
It is located right above the transmission pan. The pan is the surface on which excess fluid is collected. You will find a filter in the pickup tube as well.
The reason for situating the transmission filter at these areas is because they are the best areas to catch debris and dirt before it reaches the transmission.
As a result of wear and tear, metal shaving poses a risk to the transmission-the transmission filter collects these too.
You now know the important role transmission filters play. What you don’t know is that not all vehicles have this part.
Do manual transmissions have filters? No, transmission filters are only present in automatic cars. Manual cars utilize the splash lubrication concept and the transmission filter only works with pressurized oiling systems.
Manual transmissions work just alright without the delicate and intricate parts found in automatic transmissions so they do not need the pressurized lubrication system. Besides, manual transmissions do not produce enough debris in their fluid to warrant a filter.
Contents
What Happens If The Manual Transmission Fluid Is Low?
Well, the role of the fluid is to lubricate moving gear parts. With its absence, you can expect there to be some rough coexistence between parts. Below is a list of things that occur when the transmission fluid goes low.
Unusual Noise
When the transmission is working fine, the shifting should be quiet. Any noise when changing gears is a result of low transmission fluid.
These noises differ distinctively between brands and transmission types. If you drive an automatic vehicle your noises will be characterized by whistling or humming sounds from under the hood.
The manual transmission fellows on the other hand experience a different case; their cars make clunking or grinding noises when low on transmission fluid.
The sounds might be clear signs of a transmission fluid deficiency but you are advised to have a technician diagnose the car.
Burning Smell
When the fluid gets too low, it overheats, and the friction between parts increases. The gunk generated from this friction can easily corrode the transmission to a point of non-functionality.
Whenever you smell anything unusual in your car, visit the repair shop at once-the longer it burns the more expensive the repairs will be.
The Gears Will Slip
When the transmission fluid is low, the gears tend to slip from time to time. It might not be very obvious in the beginning but as days go by, you will notice an increase in the number of gears missed per trip.
Gear slippage causes grinding which can be pretty expensive to repair if not dealt with early enough.
The Gears Will Take Longer To Engage
Low fluid levels mean low pressure. When the pressure is low, the gears will engage less efficiently and you might notice a delay of almost a second. When this occurs, call your mechanic immediately.
How Often Does The Manual Transmission Fluid Need To Be Changed?
There is no harm in taking your vehicle to the repair shop more times than needed but denying it the care and maintenance it needs can be catastrophic.
Some automotive enthusiasts claim that manual transmission fluid doesn’t need to be changed since it does not have the same harsh conditions as the automatic transmission fluid does, but this is obviously not true.
Like all car parts, the transmission should be serviced as much as needed.
The general rule is to replace the transmission fluid after every 25,000-55,000 miles although this might depend on the car’s usage and owner preferences.
Do You Need To Flush A Manual Transmission?
Yes, with time the transmission fluid wears out and needs to be changed. A flush takes out all the used and contaminated fluid in the systems in readiness for replacement. This procedure also helps to take out any contaminants that might have settled in the transmission.
Take Away
The transmission is the connection between the engine and the wheels-it delivers the power that moves the wheels. To protect it from damage by contamination, engineers elected a filter right at the entry to sieve any dirt and dust before it reaches the inner system.
This sieving is however only necessary in automatic cars due to their pressurized oiling system which must be accompanied by a filtering solution. Manual transmissions can bear a little adversity although they do not produce as much debris as their automatic counterparts.
