# Will Electric Vehicles Need Transmission Fluid Changes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mustang, ford\ **Created:** [March 10, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614 "2021-03-10T21:14:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/1 "2021-03-10T21:14:04Z")
Hi Folks, I was researching the maintenance of EVs recently and discovered that the Mustang Mach-E requires its transmission fluid changes at 150 or every 10 years. Yet, the Tesla Model Y does not require it ever. All EVs I know of use a transmission. Here is my question: “Do you think that these 1-speed transmissions will require fluid changes on the order of 30K, 50K, 60K or similar to achieve a long lifespan?” Many internal combustion engine-powered vehicles no longer recommend trans fluid changes, but I think the group will agree it is still wise. What is the opinion of the group for these “single-speed” transmission units? If you are a mechanic, please say so in your comments. Thanks folks! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/2 "2021-03-10T21:25:35Z")
I don’t call a one-speed a transmission, I call it a gearbox. With no shifting or stopping/starting, the lubricant should last a LONG time. ---
**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/3 "2021-03-10T21:28:05Z")
Thanks. I’m with you. GM, Ford, and Tesla all call that unit a “Transmission” in their owner’s manuals, so I stuck with their wording. I agree the word is not ideal. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/4 "2021-03-10T21:29:17Z")
We all know that marketing is driving it, not technies… so I would have some health skepticism to the “lifetime” definition. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/5 "2021-03-10T21:42:27Z")
An EV transmission is essentially like (and may contain) a differential. I change my diff fluids more often than the manufacturer recommends. I would do the same on any EV. Likely I would change the 1st time at 1500 miles or so and every 50k after that. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/6 "2021-03-10T22:27:22Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > I would change the 1st time at 1500 miles or so and every 50k after that I do not need the car to last forever, I’m not gonna live that long 🙂 Still, I would agree that 50/100K change would be quite reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/7 "2021-03-11T04:11:32Z")
Nissan only says to inspect the transmission oil at specific intervals but some owners are changing it before 100,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/8 "2021-03-11T17:21:53Z")
I’d ask the manufacturer whether they would be willing to extend the warranty on the transmission to a period that’s at least as long as the time set for a fluid change. So if Ford says 10 years, 150,000 miles then fine, the warranty is 10 years, 150,000 on the transmission, parts \*\*AND \*\* labor. ---
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/will-electric-vehicles-need-transmission-fluid-changes/175614/9 "2021-03-12T03:22:48Z")
I have never changed trans oil/fluid in any car, and I sure won’t start the practice with an electric, especially since it’s never caused a problem.