Transmission fluid is obviously the life blood of your gearbox (ironically it’s even red). But that’s a very simplified explanation of what it does. In fact, transmission fluid is responsible for propelling you down the road. Because without it, your transmission could not make the hydraulic pressure that it needs to ultimately turn the drive wheels. So let’s take a closer look and find out just what happens when transmission fluid is low.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Symptoms of low transmission fluid
Overheating
One of the primary jobs of transmission fluid is to cool all of those moving parts. If the transmission fluid is low, the excess heat will build up and cause the transmission to overheat. You will know this is happening when the transmission suddenly stops shifting right. A transmission light may also illuminate inside the instrument cluster. And oh yeah, there will probably be smoke/steam coming from the transmission and dipstick tube.
Transmission overheating can actually cost you a lot of money in the long run. This is because all that heat can cause significant internal damage, including cracked seals, varnish and cracks on metal surfaces, damage to the friction material on clutches and bands, and warping of the valve body. So when you compare all of that to the cost of a couple of quarts of transmission fluid, a little weekend maintenance seems like a bargain.
Slipping
If your transmission fluid is low, there won’t be enough hydraulic pressure to keep the transmission in gear. This can be very dangerous, especially if you’re on the highway or in heavy traffic. So for the safety of you and everyone around, make sure to monitor your transmission fluid levels.
Strange noises and reduced performance
Low transmission fluid can significantly reduce the performance of your vehicle. If the transmission can’t make enough hydraulic pressure, the transmission won’t be able to shift into or maintain the right gear ratio take advantage of the engine power. You may also notice unusual noises like grinding, groaning and metallic clanking sounds. If it gets to that point, you can rest assured that those are the sounds of damage that will likely cost you money to repair.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Learn more about how to check your transmission fluid by clicking here.
