Book an Automatic Transmission Fluid Change in Hove

Why choose the RAC for an automatic transmission fluid top-up?

At the RAC, we've got over 125 years' experience helping UK drivers. We have the skills and knowledge to keep your vehicle running. We'll give you results you can rely on at a price you can afford.

Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic underneath a car

Book an automatic transmission fluid replacement

To help make sure you’re getting smooth gear shifts and a long transmission life you need to maintain your automatic transmission fluid. So when you need to, make sure you have that old fluid drained and refilled at an RAC Approved Garage.

Quality work

Any work done will meet the high standards set by the RAC.

Exceptional customer service

We’re friendly, straightforward and jargon-free

A mechanic inspecting the underside of a vehicle.

Book a diagnostic

A mechanic will check your car for faults and talk you through any repairs you might need. There are various ways to check for faults, which could include a physical examination or plugging in to check your car’s onboard engine management system.

Diagnostic check

We’ll look for any mechanical or electrical problems. If we need to, we’ll also check your car’s onboard engine management system. Depending on your car and issue, this will usually include: – Engine – Power steering – Brakes – Transmission – Exhaust system – Fuel injection system – Cooling system and air flow – Sensors

And it’s not just automatic transmission fluid replacements that we do in Hove

RAC Approved Garages offer MOTs and services. Our professional mechanics have the expertise and experience to make sure your vehicle is operating safely and efficiently – results you can rely on at a price you can afford.

A close up of an RAC mobile mechanic looking under the hood of a car

Try one of our RAC Approved Garages

View all garages

KIS Autocentres Ltd

Here at KIS Autocentres our quality of engineering expertise and customer service is “second to none”. To tell the truth, we are proud of the high standards that we achieve at KIS Autocentres. In other words, we take pride in knowing our customers have confidence in our garage. When it comes to your prestige car, we know it needs some love and care and because of this, our quality never fails. We are audited by, and accredited to the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) to guarantee that we maintain the high standards. You can rely on us for fast, expert and affordable vehicle servicing and repair work. For everything your car needs. Our contactless concept explained: On the day of your booking, you will receive a locker code via text shortly after 6:45. You will need to find our locker system located directly outside our units, for a quick and easy drop off. Use the 6 digit code sent to you via text or the QR code using the link, place your keys in the designated locker, close the locker door and leave your car with us. Please expect your vehicle to be with us for 4-6 hours. The sooner you drop off the better. We ask customers to drop off between 8-10. If you need an overnight locker to drop off a day in advance please call or email us so this can be set up. Please note there is limited parking on site therefore lockers will only be set up a day in advance. Once your vehicle has been seen, you will receive a link to view a breakdown of your vehicle healthcheck. Using this link you can accept or decline the recommended work, you can also use the chat service using this link to talk to a member of our office team. In regards to payment, this is done via bank transer or payment link. Payment is requested after the vehicle is complete. If you have any questions regarding our concept, please email [email protected].

Unit B8 - B11 Hollingbury Trading Estate, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN18AF

Ron Young Motors Ltd

Established in 1981, Ron Young Motors Ltd is a long running independent garage located in Peacehaven. Comprised of a tight-knit group of 6 passionate mechanics, with 130 years’ worth of experience racked up, we are ready to tackle any issue you bring to us. We offer a flexible service, with warranties offered on labour and parts. In addition to this we can provide collection and delivery for your vehicle (up to 3 miles), or a courtesy car if that is necessary. If you have an issue with your vehicle, please don't hesitate to give us a call, we're always happy to help.

Units E4 And E5 Hoyle Rd, Peacehaven, BN108LW

WHEELBASE

Wheelbase are an established local independent garage and are proud to be members of Autofirst Network – a nationwide network of independent garages operating to the Network’s 6 core values of Capability, Consistency, Care, Clarity, Cost Effectiveness and Customer Focus. For your added peace of mind we are members of the Motor Ombudsman service which is approved by The Trading Standards Institute. In short, we are a local garage you can trust offering you the support and service guarantees of a national network, giving you complete peace of mind. We cover Basingstoke and surrounding areas and offer courtesy cars as well as a free collection and delivery service.

24B Victoria Way, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NF

CENTRAL AUTO REPAIRS LTD

Central Auto Repair Services is a place where we repair cars with the utmost care and attention. While you can go to several other garages for the same work, we give you plenty of reasons for why should you rather visit us. Since its establishment, Central Auto Repair Services has never stopped evolving and upgrading its facilities and services. We want to make sure that we take care of your vehicles in the best possible way, as it is something that you treasure so much. Over the years, word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement method. We have made sure that we provide our customers with nothing less than satisfaction, while they let others know about our standards as well. From a small garage run by a family to being one of the best garages in the city, Central Auto Repair Services has a story of its own. While the first technicians were none other than the family members, we now take pride in our extended family of experts. Over time, we have trained our technicians extensively to make sure that they deliver nothing less than quality services. We also make sure to help them gain confidence and fluency with their work, which is helpful when someone asks for advice related to their cars. They are now some of the best technicians in the city which is all thanks to their years of hard work and dedication. While our experts have contributed so much time in making themselves better and more efficient, we considered it our duty to help them as well. We make sure that the latest pieces of equipment are available at Central Auto Repair Services. This helps them enhance their work quality even more while being able to satisfy our customers with more efficiency. Our customers have never had to complain about an issue that wasn’t dealt with properly, and neither about some issue which could be the result of our carelessness. We know that your time is precious, and so are you for us. We offer a wide range of best in class services for your car. We can efficiently deal with all the parts of your car like brakes, clutches, cambelts, wheel balancing and alignment, diagnostics, etc. We make sure that all of these services are dealt with the greatest care and no scope of error is left. As part of our efficient servicing system, all the cars undergo a complete check-up to ensure that the work done is proper and effective. Central Auto Repair Services are not only known for their diagnostic services, but also for providing our customers with quality products. In case you are looking for a new set of tyres for your car, you can get some of the best ones from us. We have a wide range of latest tyres from top manufacturers like Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Michelin, and Yokohama. We have a collection of all the types of tyres that they manufacture. From budget tyres to performance tyres, Central Auto Repair Services is a hub for all types of tyres. We work for your satisfaction and to gain your trust through our work. We promise to deliver nothing but top-notch quality services to our customers and never let them be in trouble due to our ignorance. Being a family-led business, we know what safety of your loved ones means and we make sure to never compromise it. Visit us at Central Auto Repair Services and you’ll never have to give it a second thought to visit us again. We believe that the only hard work that you should do is pay the bills, the rest is our stuff to take care of, and we do that damn well.

Central Auto Repair Services, Bridge Road Garage, Worthing, BN147BU

Clarion Cars ltd

We're a family-run business that has been providing customers with uncommonly friendly and honest service for the last 41 years! We're based in Worthing, West Sussex and offer BUYING, SELLING, SERVICING and SOURCING of new and used cars, and even just the odd bit of advice! We are the main dealers for KGM/SsangYong but we are able to service and maintain all makes of cars, notably, specialising in VW/Audi group vehicles, which encompasses Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi and Seat. We'll take as much care servicing and maintaining your car as the manufacturers' did building it. Our highly trained technicians will keep your vehicle in prime condition and safe on the road while the rest of our staff will ensure specified, high-quality lubricants and parts are used to ensure you get the most out of your machine. A car is a big investment and one of the best ways to protect it is through quality servicing and maintenance at the correct intervals. Please contact our Service Department on

84 South Street, Worthing, BN147LS

Frequently asked questions on automatic transmission fluid change

How often should automatic transmission fluid be changed?

Automatic transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. However, always check your vehicle’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. Your driving habits and the conditions you drive in will affect how quickly your fluid degrades. Regular checks and following the manufacturer’s guidelines will help to make sure your transmission stays in good condition.

Why do people say never change transmission fluid?

Some people believe that changing old transmission fluid can cause issues, especially in high-mileage vehicles. This myth stems from the fact that when automatic transmission fluid is changed, the new fluid can sometimes dislodge debris, causing problems. However, this is usually due to debris build-up.

What happens if you don’t change automatic transmission fluid?

If you don’t change the automatic transmission fluid, it can become contaminated and lose its effectiveness, leading to transmission wear and potential failure. Over time, dirty automatic transmission fluid can cause increased friction, overheating, and significant transmission damage. Regular changes will help you avoid costly repairs and keep the transmission running smoothly.

How do I know that the automatic transmission fluid has been changed recently?

Fresh automatic transmission fluid is bright red and clear. If your fluid looks clean and smells fresh, it’s been changed recently. You can also check the service records for confirmation. If in doubt, ask your mechanic to check.

What are the signs that I need an automatic transmission flush?

Signs that you might need a transmission flush include:

Slipping gears: The transmission struggles to stay in gear.
Delayed gear engagement: There’s a noticeable delay when shifting gears.
Overheating: The transmission becomes excessively hot.
Unusual noises: Grinding or whining sounds from the transmission.
Dirty fluid: The automatic transmission fluid is dark or discoloured.

A flush can help remove contaminants and restore the fluid’s effectiveness.

Can I change the automatic transmission fluid myself?

It’s often best to have a professional do it. The process can be messy and requires proper disposal of old fluid. Professional services also include checks and diagnostics to ensure everything is working.

What’s the difference between transmission fluid and gearbox oil?

Transmission fluid is used in automatic transmissions, while gearbox oil is used in manual transmissions. They’re made to do different jobs, so they’re not interchangeable. Automatic transmission fluid is designed for the hydraulic and cooling needs of automatic transmissions, while gearbox oil provides the necessary lubrication for manual transmissions.

What is an automatic transmission flush?

An automatic transmission flush is a service where all the old automatic transmission fluid is removed, and new fluid is added. It helps remove contaminants and old fluid that might be stuck in the transmission. It’s more thorough than a simple fluid change and can help restore the transmission’s performance.

Is an automatic transmission fluid change necessary?

Yes, changing the automatic transmission fluid is necessary to keep your vehicle’s transmission running well. Over time, the fluid degrades and becomes less effective, leading to potential transmission problems. Regular changes help the transmission run smoothly and can prevent costly repairs down the line.

How can I extend the life of my automatic transmission fluid?

To extend the life of your automatic transmission fluid:

Regular maintenance: Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for fluid changes.
Avoid excessive heat: Don’t overload your vehicle or tow heavy loads when you don’t have to.
Check for leaks: Regularly inspect your vehicle for fluid leaks.
Smooth driving: Avoid aggressive driving habits that can overheat the transmission.

Proper care and regular upkeep can significantly extend the life of your automatic transmission fluid and transmission.

How long does an automatic transmission fluid change take?

An automatic transmission fluid change will typically take about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the vehicle and the service provider. This includes draining the old fluid, replacing the filter (if necessary), and refilling with new fluid. If more services or diagnostics are needed, it could take longer.

What should I do if my transmission fluid is low?

If your transmission fluid is low:

Check for leaks: Look for any visible leaks under the car.
Top up the fluid: Use the right type of fluid for your vehicle.
Monitor the fluid level: Regularly check the fluid level to make sure it stays within the recommended range.
Consult a mechanic: If the fluid level continues to drop speak to a mechanic so that they can inspect and fix any issues.