If you own an automatic car, you would definitely be familiar with an automatic transmission fluid. This type of transmission fluid needs to be changed regularly and the cost to replace transmission fluid is very important to a vehicle owner.
Average Cost of Transmission Fluid Changing
The cost to replace transmission fluid will depend on the type of car you are driving as well as the length of your ownership. Changing the transmission fluid may not be that frequent but it is important that you know when to do it. A mechanic will recommend that you change the transmission fluid when your meter registers at 60,000 to 100,000 miles while manual transmission needs to be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
For a regular transmission fluid service, expect to pay around $75-$150 for the fluid change alone.
The service will include replacing the filter and generally uses about 5-7 quarts of fluid. This will not include the changing of 5-8 or more quarts of fluid trapped in the torque converter which would have to mean that the old transmission fluid will mix with the new one.
Some mechanic would recommend draining the old fluid to completely change it. This would have to mean that transmission fluid change cost will be much higher. A flushing of the transmission using a pressurized machine will cost you $125-$300. The service may be quite expensive but it will include pushing a special cleaning compound through the system. The service will remove and flush out all the old transmission fluid and clean up the system before loading a 12-22 or more quarts of fluid.
Take note that the price varies on your car make and year as well for the procedure you would want to take. Say you have a CostHelper, you would have to pay around $90-$378 for the standard service of transmission fluid. If you are at a dealership, you would have to pay $77-$295 for the same services. But if you are using a Lamborghini Diablo transmission services will blow up to as much as $766.
Since you are already in the process of cleaning up your transmission, might as well change the transmission filter as well. The difference between the transmission fluid change cost and the filter change will not be that high. The transmission filter only cost $20 to $50 so you can add up this service to your fluid change as well. Make sure that you got the correct size and choose a good quality filter.
Save On Cost For Transmission Service
Now you might be thinking that the cost to replace transmission fluid is very expensive and you want to find ways to save on the service. The saying “prevention is better than cure” always helps. Before you think about replacing the transmission fluid, how about you think on how you can extend the life of your transmission.
The Heat is your transmission’s worst enemy so you should remember to keep them cool. Choose synthetic fluid as they work better than the ordinary one. They provide better performance and resist heat, cold as well as oxidation. 
You can also add an external filter to the cooler lines. This will keep your transmission at the right temperature. When you do a maintenance on your vehicle make sure that you include replacing the antifreeze as well.
Another cost effective tip is to know when to replace the transmission fluid as this can help you greatly to save on your transmission fluid change cost. You will know that it needs to be changed when you hear a Grinding or squealing noises while shifting.
The moment you feel that it is difficult to shift then you may need to change the transmission fluid. You will also notice that your gears are slipping and there is an unexplainable surging on your vehicle. There is also a delay in the movement after shifting.
DIY Your Transmission Fluid Change
If you have a bit of background with vehicles, you can always DIY the changing of transmission fluid. This way you can save on the cost of labor and you can also assure yourself that it is drained and cleaned well. Since the normal transmission fluid service would cost you around $75-$150, you will be able to save as much as $35 to $75 on the labor cost.
What you would just need is pan large enough to catch the fluid, socket wrenches, screwdrivers, a mallet, clean towels, and safety glasses and you are good to go. You can actually change the transmission fluid for around $3 to $20. A Super Tech Automatic Transmission Fluid Type F will cost you $3.48 while a Valvoline DEX/MERC Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1 Quart is retailed at $4.37.
There are also more expensive brands such as Super Tech Antifreeze worth $10.97, or the Valvoline DEX/MERC Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1 Gallon which cost $16.87 or you can buy the bigger size like the Super Tech Multi-Vehicle Low Visosity Automatic Transmission Fluid, 1 gal for $20.38.
You can save a lot on the cost of labor if you replace it yourself just make sure that you know the correct procedure in changing the fluid. It is critical that you know how to change the transmission fluid as this will affect the performance of your car. If it is not changed correctly it may damage your transmission and you may have to bring your car to a professional mechanic to fix the issue.
If you are a car owner then it is important that you know which car parts needs to be replaced and when it needs to be maintained. Ask your car dealer on the fine details of your car make and the brand that would best work with your car.