How Much Does a Transmission Fluid Change or Flush Cost? (2026)

A transmission fluid change costs about $80–$250 at a quick-lube or chain shop in 2026, and a machine fluid exchange (“flush”) about $125–$250, per Jiffy Lube’s published ranges; Pep Boys’ basic exchange starts at $145. Dealer service specials run about $130–$330. Doing a drain-and-fill yourself costs about $25–$105 in fluid, but it replaces only part of the fluid.

Sources: chain price pages, retailer and manufacturer list prices, official documents (below) · Prices checked 2026-11-09 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology

Transmission Fluid Change cost by service type

ServiceParts / fluidLaborTypical shop total
Drain-and-fill (fluid change)$25–$1054–7 qt of ATF—Included in package$80–$250[1],[2],[3],[4]Jiffy Lube’s published fluid-change range
Fluid exchange / “flush” (machine)—12–22 qt of fluid—Included in package$125–$250[1],[5]Jiffy Lube’s published flush range; Pep Boys basic exchange from $145 (up to 12 qt)
Exchange with OEM-spec fluid——Included$200[5]Pep Boys “Complete OEM Fluid Exchange” starting price; filter or screen service extra
Dealer transmission service——Included$130–$330[6],[7]Posted dealer specials: Honda drain-and-fill from $129.99 and CVT exchange $179.99; Nissan transmission service $329.95

Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[8],[9]. See the methodology.

DIY vs. shop vs. dealer

WhereCostWhat you get
DIY$25–$105Fluid only, 4–7 qtUniversal synthetic ATF runs about $25–$46 a gallon; factory fluids such as Honda HCF-2 (CVT) cost about $12–$15 a quart at a dealer parts counter. Many newer transmissions have no dipstick and need a specific fill-and-check procedure.[3],[4],[10],[11]
Chain / independent shop$80–$250Quick lubes and chains sell drain-and-fill and machine exchanges; packages include a set amount of fluid and charge extra for premium fluid or a filter.[1],[5]
Dealer$130–$330Factory fluid and procedure for your exact transmission. Examples: $129.99 drain-and-fill and $179.99–$299.99 exchanges at a Honda dealer; $329.95 at a Nissan dealer.[6],[7]

Use only the fluid your manual specifies: Ford’s 10R80 manual warns that transmission fluids are not interchangeable and that other fluids or cleaning agents will cause internal damage.[12]

Flush vs. drain-and-fill

  • A drain-and-fill replaces only part of the fluid: Jiffy Lube says it drains 20%–40% of the total, with roughly 5–8 quarts staying in the torque converter.[1]
  • A machine exchange swaps nearly all of it, which is why it takes 12–22 quarts versus 5–7 for a fluid change.[1]
  • Total capacity is much larger than a drain: Ford lists 12.5 quarts for a completely dry 10R80 10-speed, and notes drain amounts vary.[12]
  • Honda lists a CR-V CVT fluid change at 3.7 qt (2WD) to 4.1 qt (AWD) of HCF-2.[2]
  • Filter or pan service costs extra at chains that offer it; many sealed transmissions have no serviceable filter.[5]
  • CVTs and dual-clutch transmissions use their own fluids. Using a universal ATF in a CVT that calls for a specific fluid is not a saving.[4]

What drives the cost

  • Fluid type and quantity. Packages cover a set amount (Pep Boys: up to 12 quarts of conventional fluid) and charge more for premium or OEM fluid.[5]
  • Drain-and-fill vs. exchange: an exchange uses two to three times the fluid.[1]
  • Filter or pan gasket service, where the transmission has one.[5]
  • Shop type. Dealer specials ran $130–$330 in the examples we found.[6],[7]

When you actually need it

Follow your owner’s manual, and look at both schedules. Many manuals list no transmission fluid change on the normal schedule but do on the severe one: the 2027 Silverado schedule lists fluid and filter every 45,000 miles under severe service (towing, heavy loads) and no interval on the normal schedule.[13]

A mileage sticker from a quick lube is not the manufacturer’s interval. If your transmission has never been serviced and has high mileage, ask a dealer what the manufacturer recommends before choosing a machine exchange.

If a warning light is on, start with what it means: transmission temperature warning light.

More repair costs

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a transmission flush cost?

About $125–$250 at a quick-lube or chain shop in 2026, per Jiffy Lube’s published range; Pep Boys’ basic fluid exchange starts at $145 for up to 12 quarts, and its OEM-fluid exchange at $200. Dealers in our examples charged $180–$330.

How much is a transmission fluid change?

About $80–$250 at a shop for a drain-and-fill, or about $25–$105 in fluid if you do it yourself (4–7 quarts at $6–$15 a quart). A Honda dealer we checked posts a drain-and-fill from $129.99.

Is a transmission flush better than a drain-and-fill?

A flush replaces nearly all the fluid; a drain-and-fill replaces about 20%–40% of it, so it may take two or three drain-and-fills to match. Follow the procedure your manufacturer specifies; some only list a drain-and-refill.

How often should transmission fluid be changed?

Whatever your owner’s manual says for how you drive. Many manuals give no interval on the normal schedule and one on the severe-service schedule; for example, the 2027 Silverado lists every 45,000 miles under severe service.

Do CVTs need fluid changes?

Many CVT manuals schedule them, and CVTs need their specific fluid, such as Honda HCF-2 (about $15 a quart at a dealer). A Honda CR-V CVT fluid change takes about 3.7–4.1 quarts.

Sources

  1. Jiffy Lube, Transmission Flush vs Transmission Exchange, accessed 2026-11-09.
  2. American Honda (owner’s manual), CR-V Owner’s Manual: Vehicle Specifications (CVT fluid and coolant change capacity), accessed 2026-11-09.
  3. Walmart, Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle Full Synthetic ATF, 1 gal (listing), accessed 2026-11-09.
  4. College Hills Honda (dealer parts), Honda CVT fluid HCF-2, 08200-HCF2 (sold by the quart), accessed 2026-11-09.
  5. Pep Boys, Transmission Flush & Fluid Change Services; Coolant Flush & Exchange, accessed 2026-11-09.
  6. Ed Voyles Honda (dealer), Service Price Menu, accessed 2026-11-09.
  7. Ron Marhofer Nissan (dealer), Service coupons: Transmission Service, accessed 2026-11-09.
  8. Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
  9. Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
  10. AutoZone, Valvoline MaxLife ATF, 1 gal (listing), accessed 2026-11-09.
  11. Bernardi Parts (Honda dealer parts), Honda ATF DW-1, 08200-9008, accessed 2026-11-09.
  12. Ford Motor Company (workshop manual), 307-01 Automatic Transmission – 10R80 – Specifications (2019 Ranger) (2018-12-11), accessed 2026-11-09.
  13. GM-Trucks.com, 2027 Silverado Maintenance Schedule (2026-10-23), accessed 2026-11-09.