Checking your vehicle’s transmission fluid is a preventative maintenance procedure that should be done at least once a month in order to spot potential early warning signs such as a low fluid level or worn out dirty/burnt fluid. Here’s how:
What Transmission Do I Have?
If you cover a lot of miles, haul heavy loads or drive in stop and go traffic, you should check more often – say every 2 weeks. This will give you time to top up or change the fluid before these issues cause serious transmission problems that can damage or destroy your transmission.
If your vehicle is showing signs of transmission problems such as slipping, hesitating or grinding, the first thing you should do before calling a transmission shop for repairs or replacement is check your fluid level. Topping up or changing fluid might be all that is needed to solve the issue and is obviously a lot cheaper than having repair work done!
To check your fluid, follow these steps:
What You’ll Need
- Clean, lint free rag
- Appropriate transmission fluid for your vehicle
- A funnel
1) Locate the Dipstick
To check your vehicle’s automatic transmission fluid, pop the hood and find the dipstick handle sticking out of your transmission.
Front Wheel Drive
It is typically found sticking out of the transaxle near the front (see below).
Rear Wheel Drive
The dipstick can probably be found near the back of the engine area as shown below:
NOTE: To check the fluid in a manual transmission, the vehicle typically needs to be raised on a hoist or blocks in order to access the plug on the bottom of the transmission.
2) Run the Vehicle
Park your vehicle on a level surface and leave the engine running. Leave it in Park or Neutral gear with the parking brake on. If your vehicle has been sitting for a while, give it time to warm up to normal operating temperature (engine should feel warm). Note that some Hondas for example must be checked within 60-90 seconds of the engine being shut off.
3) Pull Dipstick Out
Locate and remove the transmission fluid dipstick. If for some reason you can’t find it, refer to the images above or your owner’s manual.
4) Check the Fluid for Color, Smell & Consistency
Dip your finger into the fluid on the dipstick and rub it between your fingers. You want to see an almost clear, bright red or pinkish color (see colors below) with a thick, oily consistency.
If it is very dark red/reddish brown, has a noticeable burnt smell, appears very thin/watery and/or you can see small metallic particles in it, then the fluid (along with the transmission filter) needs to be changed to avoid damage.
If you find large metallic particles, a strong burnt smell and/or black fluid, then internal damage may have already occurred. Seek the assistance of a mechanic immediately.
5) Reinsert and Check the Fluid Level
If the fluid is red, clear and free of particles, the next step is to check the fluid level. Clean the dipstick with a fresh, lint free rag, reinsert it and pull it out again. If the fluid is low, use a funnel to pour some fluid down the dipstick tube to reach the line. Don’t overfill, because that can actually cause damage too!
6) Replace Dipstick and Close the Hood
You’re done! Good job.
TIP: In addition to checking the level and quality of fluid using the dipstick, be sure to look under your car occasionally for stains on the driveway or transmission pan to make sure that your fluid isn’t leaking.
Video Guide
What if the Fluid is Really Low?
If your fluid is low, not only could it cause significant damage, but it can point to a more serious problem.
The lack of fluid could be caused by a leak, which you might see under the car, but sometimes, a leak may only occur while you’re driving.
Either way, keep a close eye on the fluid level, and consult a mechanic if the condition continues.
What if My Car Doesn’t Have a Dipstick?
Believe it or not, many new vehicles don’t have a transmission dipstick, and it takes a trained technician with specialized tools to check the fluid level. If you can’t locate a dipstick under the hood, consult your owner’s manual.
Consult your owner’s manual for the exact procedure and type of fluid to use.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What to Read Next
- How to Change Transmission Fluid
- What is a Transmission Flush?
- What is a Torque Converter?
- Transmission Overheating – The #1 Killer
Over to You
We’re interested to know – where is the dipstick located on your vehicle and how often do you end up checking your transmission fluid? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
slipping and gets hot you can smell the fluid what would cause it this is the third transmission that has been put in it one after the other?
My transmission was running fine then it just acted like I put it in neutral it would barely move but if I turn off the truck and let it sit a few mins crank the truck up it will go into gear and move but only for a short time maybe 50 feet or so before it acks like it’s in neutral again my transmission is in my 1997 gmc 1500 4wheel drive truck
Just wanted to know how to add transmission fluid in a manual transmission
2007 Monte Carlo 3.5 Some times when taking off from stop light trans fails to respond but then it will slam and take off. Check trans fluid every time when this happens, but is full.Shifts fine after taking off.
I’ve got a 98 ram 2500 automatic gas. The transmission was just slipping whenever i punch the gas or take off fast. But now it won’t go into park or engage in any gear. If i give it gas it’ll eventually catch but won’t shift out of 2nd. But when i stop i got to start the process over again. And if i undo the hose ran to the radiator it pours out atf . Any suggestions?
.I have a 2006 Chrysler pt cruiser 5 speed I have problem getting in reverse do I check the flouid under the car
I have a 88 Chevy pickup with a 700r trans and I’m not sure what happened but now the trans wont do anything unless I smash the gas to the floor and then it trays to move but that is the only way
Tranny has been slipping when engin is cold but engages when it warms up! Have been looking for a place to have it checked for fluid level as it has no stick and now condition is getting worse! I believe it is a 24RLE. 08 dodge nitro 4×4
I have a 2016 toyota corolla is there a dip stick?
My Cadillac 07 CTS 2.8L wont go into gear once it warms up. They say low on transmission fluid ,but every time I jack up the car I add. They say when the fluid starts to run out its full. How do I know if its full?
So I’ve got a 1996 4×4 pathfinder all of my gears work great but reverse and it won’t go backwards
You put it in reverse and it fills as if it shifts but won’t move
Is it OK to use an automatic transmission fluid that is generic in my Nissan quest it is an 06
I did a lower end rebuild on my 07 quest engine when I put it back in car the transmission wont ingage all it does is slip . The fuild is topped off correct what can this be.
How much transmission fluid does a Nissan quest usually take when topping it off
How do I pump the transmission fluid bk into my 2004 fordexplorer
I thought you were going to tell me. I see in my manual that I have a CVT but your chart has it as REOF11A FWD, now I am confused
Fluid level is too high and I have not added any. It’s not shifting correctly
Fluid level high and I did not add any not shifting
The fluid level is high and did’nt add any,tranny not shifting
My suzuki Alto wont go into gear. How do i check transmission fluid?
Hi
So i have a 2005 dodgr caravan and its only got 53,000 miles on it well just today i drove it for about 45 minutes then all of a audden it just started ahaking and vibrating now it wont go i to 6th gear and the transmission light is on it doesnt shake when the rpms are low but shakes when the rpms are high tried to check the fluid but it doesnt have a dipstick only a cap so took off cap and fiiled what i could van some one please gelp me and tell me whats wromg with it i keep looking up on google and it keeps coming up with some ( LIMP MODE) ?????
Purchased New toyota filder bt the change over engine indicator on dashboard is showing brown color,,,,Have not yet checked ATF level and quality,,,The vehicle is slow at picking gear after stoping,,what could be the reason??
I’d been driving my Buick regal, for a long time with low fluid. I changed it several times but evidently never put in enough fluid. The dipstick was a shiny metal which made it damn near impossible to get a true reading. Today while preparing for a long drive I decided to remedy the shiny stick problem. I used acetone to degrease the end of the dipstick, then used some “cold blue” (birchwood casey) on a q tip to BLUE the end of the stick. That’s when I found out I’m 2.5 qts low.Now it’s easy to see the level. I topped up and now my car feels like New. You’d think the manufacturers would have figured out that a shiny dipstick ain’t the right color.
I have a 2003 Mercedes C230 Kompressor sport,it has been in limp mode since I’ve had it,the transmission has been overhauled, put on new conductor plate,fresh fluid, new throttle senser,still can’t figure it out