Transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your gearbox, and it’s also the reason that your vehicle is able to move down the road under its own power. So making sure that you have enough of it, is very important. So let’s take a look at how to check your transmission fluid, that way you can prevent costly transmission repairs down the road.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Car Maintenance 101: How to check automatic transmission fluid
Checking your transmission fluid is a very simple procedure that almost anyone can do. All it requires is a vehicle with an automatic transmission fluid, and a clean rag, paper towel or shop towel. You’ll want to locate your transmission dipstick, which is usually at the back of the engine. On front-wheel-drive vehicles, this can be near the left or right wheel well. If you are unsure, consult your owners manual.
A word about the transmission dipstick
Many newer vehicles have sealed transmissions, which means there isn’t a dipstick for you to check the transmission fluid. This has to be done by the dealer or a mechanic, and is usually a complicated procedure. Such transmissions are usually filled with what’s known as lifetime transmission fluid, which is intended to last the theoretical lifetime of the vehicle. However, it can and should be checked and changed in order to prevent serious damage to the transmission. Consulting a qualified mechanic about this issue is recommended.
If your vehicle does have a dipstick, it may just have notches to indicate the full line and the low line. Or it could have a designated area imprinted ‘cold’ and ‘hot’. These two areas indicate the amount of fluid present when the vehicle is below operating temperature/cold and when the vehicle is at operating temperature/hot. Any time you check your transmission fluid, the vehicle/transmission should be at full operating temperature. If it is not, start the engine and let it run for at least 10 minutes. This will give you a more accurate reading of how much transmission fluid is actually in your transmission.
For more information on how to read to a transmission dipstick, click here.
Checking your transmission fluid
With the vehicle at operating temperature and running on a level surface, open the hood and remove the transmission dipstick. Wipe it off and replace it in the tube, making sure that it is fully seated/pushed all the way down. Now remove the transmission dipstick and check the level indicated. Make note of the indicated level, and repeat the procedure. If the indicated level is the same as before, you have an accurate reading.
If there’s a sort of blank spot between two veins of transmission fluid on the dipstick, the one that matters is at the bottom. If this happens, wipe the dipstick off and repeat the procedure.
Should the engine be running when you check the transmission fluid?
For most vehicles, the answer is yes. However some car companies like Honda, require that the engine be at operating temperature, but turned off. There are several other car companies that are like this. If you are at all unsure about the specific procedure to check the transmission fluid in your late model vehicle, consult the owners manual.
What does the transmission fluid look like?
Transmission fluid should be should be a translucent pink to red color. If it is turning brown or black, then you should have your transmission serviced immediately.
What Transmission Do I Have?
How to add transmission fluid
If you’ve checked the transmission fluid and it’s a little low, then you’ll want to add transmission fluid. For more information on how to add transmission fluid, click here. Also, make sure that you use the correct type of transmission fluid for your vehicle. For more information on why this is important, click here.
