Mechanic and influencer Juan José Ebenezer says carmakers are wrong to claim automatic gearboxes need no maintenance. He urges drivers to check fluid and filters regularly or risk repairs that can top €2,000.
When Juan José Ebenezer says, "No me importa lo que diga el fabricante, la transmisión automática también necesita mantenimiento," he is not just sharing an opinion. He is warning drivers who trust the manual over real experience. Ignore his advice, and you could face repairs starting at €1,500. The bill can go much higher. All for a problem that regular checks could have stopped.
Ebenezer is blunt about the so-called "lifetime" automatic transmission fluid. He calls it a myth. Some carmakers say their gearboxes never need fluid changes. Ebenezer has seen what happens when people believe that. In his workshop, he gets cars only after the damage is done. By then, the repair costs are far more than any routine service.
Independent maintenance guides note that there is no universal 'lifetime' rule for automatic transmission fluid—intervals depend on the specific gearbox, usage, and manufacturer recommendations.
He focuses on two things: the transmission fluid and its filter. Both are key for any automatic gearbox to work right. Over time, heat and friction break down the fluid. Tiny bits of metal and dirt build up. The filter is the only thing stopping those particles from moving through the system and causing more wear. Ebenezer says waiting for warning signs—jerks, vibrations, or shifting trouble—is asking for trouble.
He is not the only one pushing back against carmaker claims. As reported earlier, other well-known mechanics have also questioned the idea of "maintenance-free" parts, especially as cars get more complex and repairs get pricier.
Ebenezer points to the numbers. Changing the fluid and filter is a small cost compared to tearing down and rebuilding a broken transmission. Even minor repairs can leave a car stuck in the shop for days or weeks, depending on parts and how hard the job is. The hit to your wallet and your daily life is fast and serious.
According to several independent sources, the typical recommended interval for changing automatic transmission fluid is between 60,000 and 100,000 kilometers, especially for vehicles used in city traffic or under heavy loads. Even so-called 'maintenance-free' transmissions from leading manufacturers like ZF are often advised to have fluid changes around 150,000 kilometers, or sooner in severe conditions.
His message is simple: prevention is always better than repair. Checking and changing transmission fluid and filters on time cuts the risk of a major breakdown. Ebenezer has seen it again and again—most big gearbox failures could have been avoided if owners had not trusted the "lifetime" promise from the manufacturer.
Automatic gearboxes are now common on Spanish roads. That means the risk is bigger than ever. Skipping maintenance might seem easy, but one mistake can turn into a repair bill of several thousand euros. Ebenezer does not sugarcoat it: trust real-world experience, not marketing. Treat your gearbox with care, just like the rest of your car. With cars getting more complicated and repairs more expensive, this is advice drivers cannot afford to ignore.
