As with all of your Volkswagen’s fluids, transmission fluid deteriorates over time. Transmission fluid is designed to act as both a lubricating oil and a hydraulic fluid that helps manage gear shifts, while also cooling your transmission and lubricating moving parts. As it ages, your transmission fluid can become contaminated and worn out, especially if you do a lot of start-stop city driving, towing, or any other sort of hard work in your vehicle. You can observe a few signs to help you determine whether or not your Volkswagen is ready for a transmission fluid exchange service with the Volkswagen certified technicians at Stohlman Volkswagen in Tysons Corner, VA.
If you check your owner’s manual, it should give you a procedure on how to check your transmission fluid status – this is the easiest way to determine whether or not you need service. Transmission fluid is often red but can come in a variety of colors. As it ages and deteriorates, though, it will generally turn darker in color and may even develop a burned odor. As your transmission fluid breaks down, it becomes less effective at managing the temperature of your transmission and facilitating the effective movement of the parts within your transmission system. This can result in issues with shifting, a transmission that often slips, and overheating of your transmission. The most major indicator of a transmission fluid issue will be a clunking sound as gears attempt to change – in this case, you’ll want to schedule a service appointment immediately to prevent costly, irreversible damage to your transmission.
As most car owners know, dealing with the costs associated with transmission damage – or even having to replace your transmission altogether – is no fun. As an essential part of your Volkswagen’s operation, your transmission is an expensive piece of equipment that you want to be sure to take proactive, preventative care of. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way, and given that transmission fluid exchanges are typically done every 100,000 miles or so, it’s worth the investment to have the service done, and rest assured that your transmission has the best fluid possible.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of working with a licensed dealership is the peace of mind that comes with Volkswagen certified technicians performing your service using only genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. We also offer a host of amenities that you won’t find at your local mechanic, such as courtesy loaners, rental cars, and a courtesy transportation shuttle. The complimentary beverage and coffee bar in our comfortable waiting area also offers you a chance to refresh while you wait for completion of your service. Call our service department or use our online scheduling tool to book your appointment today.
Stohlman Volkswagen, Leesburg Pike, Tysons, VA, USA