The effectiveness of transmission additives continues to be a hotly-debated topic in the automotive world. While some people believe they’re practical, others think they’re useless or even harmful. So what’s the truth about them? Do they really work?
Transmission additives really do work, but it’s essential to manage expectations. Firstly, no amount of additives will help if your transmission lacks fluid or has damaged components. Besides that, the benefits offered by additives require time to take effect. Some benefits, like smoother shifting, will happen instantaneously. Other benefits, like conditioned seals, require several days of driving before they happen.
This guide will dive deeper into the topic of transmission additives. As you read through, you’ll understand both sides of the ongoing debate and see why and how these products work to help your transmission.
What Are Transmission Additives?
Transmission additives are special products that you can add to your transmission system. The additives are made of substances that offer extra benefits to that system, such as improved performance and leak stoppage, just to name a few.
There is an ongoing debate among automotive enthusiasts about transmission additives and whether or not they work. On the one hand, some enthusiasts believe these additives are pointless, or worse yet, they can actively disrupt the transmission system’s functions.
On the other hand, many enthusiasts swear by the benefits of transmission additives. They insist that they improve a car’s performance significantly.
Whichever side you might take in that debate, always remember that additives are, as the name suggests, only add-ons or additional elements for your transmission system. Transmission additives do not replace or remove the need for clean, fresh transmission fluid that your car must always have in the correct amounts.
Still, transmission additives could offer value to your vehicle by improving its overall performance and helping to sort out minor but annoying transmission problems that won’t go away on their own.
Read: How To Troubleshoot Honda Accord Transmission Problems?
Do Transmission Additives Really Work?
Yes, transmission additives work and are effective at delivering the benefits they promise. However, you must take some time to understand how they work and what they can or can’t do. That way, you can manage your expectations and use them appropriately.
Firstly, understand that these products are effective at improving your transmission system’s functionality. However, that’s only if your transmission system is already healthy and free from any significant problems to begin with.
For example, transmission additives can help restore smooth gear shifting and condition the seals to prevent leaks. However, the additives would have no effect if your transmission components are damaged and in desperate need of repairs.
In simple terms, you must ensure the transmission system is healthy and has enough clean fluid before enjoying anything the additives offer.
Besides that, buyers must understand that transmission additives don’t produce quick miracles. Like any other fluid in your vehicle, those additives must have enough time to circulate before their benefits can be fully realized.
You’ll likely notice minor improvements, like smoother gear shifting, within the first hour of using those additives.
However, long-term benefits, like conditioning worn seals or freeing valves that often get stuck, will only come later. Those require several miles worth of driving and a few days or weeks before the additives do their job.
Read: 3 Signs That Car’s Transmission Is Slipping And Has A Serious Problem
What Are The Benefits Of Transmission Additives?
Transmission additives need to be better understood when it comes to their benefits. As you read earlier, some automotive enthusiasts believe these products have no real benefits. Meanwhile, those on the other side of the debate sometimes exaggerate their ability to fix a car’s transmission.
Instead, here are the benefits you can reasonably expect by using transmission additive products alongside clean and high-quality transmission fluid:
1. Stops Leaks
Firstly, transmission additives help stop minor leaks and prevent future ones. These products achieve that outcome by expanding older seals that might have reduced in size over the years.
When that happens, the seals can fill gaps correctly and stop or prevent minor leaks from happening.
Read: Transmission Fluid Leak When Parked
2. Conditions Worn Seals
Together with the transmission fluid, additives can help maximise seals’ lifespan within the transmission system. All seals naturally experience a bit of wear over an extended period, but using additives can minimize their effects.
Remember that all seals eventually wear out completely and need to be replaced. However, transmission additives can delay the need to do that.
Read: What Is Average Transmission Fluid Change Cost?
3. Frees Stuck Valves To Improve Shifting
Transmission systems have a lot of moving parts, including valves. Unfortunately, those valves can sometimes get sticky and not move correctly. When that happens, transmission fluid can’t flow to where it’s needed, and you’ll experience shifting problems.
Again, additives and transmission fluid can slowly lubricate those valves and remove buildups, allowing them to move freely. That will improve shifting, or more specifically, it’ll restore shifting to optimal conditions.
4. Fixes Transmission Slipping
Transmission slipping is another annoying problem that can occur for several different reasons. Assuming the mechanical parts are in excellent condition, additives can help fix this problem by restoring the frictional properties of your transmission fluid.
As you can see, some of the benefits of these additives work not by fixing the problem directly but by enhancing the transmission fluid already circulating throughout the system.
Read: Bad Car Transmission Symptoms
5. Maximizes Transmission Lifespan
Overall, additives work synergistically with the transmission fluid to ensure that the system and its components last as long as possible.
Part of that is due to the benefits above, like conditioning the seals and helping to remove buildups. However, the other way it does that is by enhancing the benefits already provided by the transmission fluid.
Together, they keep the transmission system and its parts moving in perfect harmony without any friction or damage.
How Long Does It Take For A Transmission Additive To Work?
Remember that their different benefits work on different timescales when using transmission additive products. For example, some minor benefits are noticeable immediately.
For example, when you start the engine and take your car for a drive right after using the product, you might already notice smoother shifting and reduced slipping.
However, more significant benefits of transmission additives will require several days of driving before they take effect.
Again, all of this depends on the existing condition of the transmission system and its fluids. For the additives to have an effect with minimal delays, you must ensure that the system is ready for it.
Firstly, ensure there’s enough fresh transmission fluid in the system. Then, if necessary, you can replace the transmission fluid before using additives.
At the same time, you must ensure the transmission system’s components don’t require significant repairs or replacements. If that’s the case, the additives won’t have much effect unless damaged parts are replaced.
Final Thoughts
Transmission fluids perform many vital functions for the system, like lubricating and preventing overheating. However, you can also use transmission additives to enhance its effects and resolve minor problems.
For example, transmission additives can help restore optimal shifting and prevent problems like gear slipping. Over an extended period, additives can also help prevent leaks by restoring and conditioning worn seals within the system.
Of course, any additive products will only work if the transmission system is healthy, free from significant damage and with enough clean transmission fluid circulating throughout.
