If your vehicle is experiencing any issues, such as hesitating when it shifts gears or if it makes noises while shifting, you don’t necessarily have to get a new transmission. It could be as straightforward as just checking your ATF, or Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Your transmission depends entirely on this distinctive fluid, hence a low fluid level can have a disastrous effect on transmission operation. We recommend you check the level at least once a month. This will enable you to catch a slow fluid leak you may not know you had potentially saving a lot of money in damaged transmission parts. Your car’s owners manual should provide a detailed description on how check your transmission fluid level. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, here’s the basic procedure that will work on just about any car that has a transmission dipstick.
WARNING: Checking the transmission fluid level requires working under the hood of your car with the engine running. This can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful. Watch out for moving components, such as fans, fan belts, pulleys, etc. If you aren’t comfortable with this procedure, always take your car to your local service station to have the transmission fluid checked.
- Make sure your car is on level ground.
- Start the engine (and don’t turn it off until finished!)
- Bring the engine and transmission to normal operating temperature.
- Hold your foot on the brake, and work the shifter slowly through the gears.
- Put the shifter all the way back into park.
- Set the parking brake.
- Carefully open the hood.
- Find the transmission dipstick.*
- Remove the dipstick, and wipe it off with a clean rag or paper towel.
- Slide the dipstick all the way back down into the transmission fill tube.
- Pull the dipstick back out, and check the fluid level against the markings on the end of the dipstick. (It should be pinkish & almost clear but if it smells burnt or has particles in it, have a mechanic drain and change it).
- If the transmission fluid is clear but doesn’t reach the “Full” line on the dipstick, use a funnel to pour just enough transmission fluid down the dipstick tube to reach the line. Don’t overfill!
REMEMBER: Always use the fluid recommended by the manufacturer (see ‘Choosing the Right Transmission Fluid’). Also, if the transmission requires more than a quart, or is using fluid regularly, take your car in to have it checked for leaks.
If you’re ever unsure of the procedure or where to find the transmission dipstick, check with your local Mister Transmission shop. They’ll be happy to show you where the dipstick is, and how to check the fluid level.
LASTLY: Unfortunately, in recent years, many manufacturers have started to eliminate the transmission fluid dipstick. Referred to as sealed units, these transmissions require a much more involved process to check fluid levels than in days gone by. The process often involves electronic testing devices, such as a computer scan tool. This puts checking the transmission fluid level beyond the capabilities of the average car owner. So if your car doesn’t have a dipstick, you should have your local transmission shop or dealership check the transmission fluid level at least a couple times a year, even if you don’t notice a problem with transmission operation.
A FOOTNOTE: It’s also worth mentioning that a faulty transmission and one that’s just low on fluid share many of the same symptoms. But obviously, adding transmission fluid is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole transmission system! Either way, we’re always here to help in any way we can.
*Rear wheel drive vehicles — the dipstick will usually be on the passenger’s side of the engine compartment, near the back of the engine.
Front wheel drive vehicles — the dipstick will usually be on the driver’s side of the vehicle, on either side of the transmission.
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Most vehicle owners know that in order to keep their ride roadworthy, they need to stay up-to-date on routine maintenance, such as oil changes and tire replacement. But you should also keep tabs on your automatic transmission—you know, that thing with the gears that you shift into drive, reverse, and park multiple times a day. Keeping your transmission humming smoothly can pay dividends, as it's one of the most expensive components on your car to repair or replace.
Thankfully, checking on your transmission's health is neither as difficult, as time consuming, nor as costly as you may think. Here's how.
Checking the Fluid
Just as your engine uses oil to lubricate and cool its internals, automatic transmissions use specially designed transmission fluid for the same purpose. Conventional automatic transmissions, dual-clutch automatics, and continuously variable automatic transmissions each use a specific type of transmission fluid. If you're unsure which fluid is used in your transmission, consult your owner's manual; typically, transmission-fluid requirements can be found in the specifications section.
You don't need to be a mechanic to gain insight into the condition of your vehicle's transmission—a simple visual check will do. You'll need to look at the level and condition of your transmission fluid.
Locate the Dipstick
First, locate the transmission dipstick, which can be found under the hood, in the engine compartment. Make sure you are locating the transmission dipstick and not the engine-oil dipstick; the transmission dipstick is usually
further back in the engine bay, toward the firewall (the bulkhead at the front of the cabin). The transmission dipstick is typically marked with a specific color or a transmission symbol.
Note: if you can't find the dipstick, don't be alarmed. Many modern vehicles use a sealed-for-life transmission that never requires checking or fluid replacement—so they don't have a dipstick. (Refer to your owner's manual for your model's specific service schedule and to double-check whether it has a transmission dipstick.)
If your vehicle has a sealed transmission, you can slam the hood shut and drive. But if your vehicle does have a transmission dipstick, here's what to do next:
Check the Level
With the engine warmed up, leave the car idling in park on a level surface. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, replace it slowly, and then pull it back out. Check the fluid level—how high the fluid comes up on the dipstick—against the "full" and "low" or "fill" marks on the dipstick.
The color of transmission fluid can tell you a lot about the health of your car's transmission.
Fluid Condition
Now lay the dipstick on a white surface, such as a paper towel, to analyze the color of the fluid. The condition of your transmission fluid—and to some extent, the transmission itself—is indicated by the color of the fluid. If your fluid is healthy, it should have a reddish-pink color; if it's getting to the point of needing replacement, it will be brownish red. If the fluid is dark brown or black, then it's quite possible that you will be replacing more than just your fluid. Dark fluid with a burnt smell is bad news; in the worst case, you might find fine metal shavings in the fluid as well. Both of those symptoms point to possible damage of your transmission's internal components. This is usually a result of failing to follow the recommended service interval for replacing the transmission fluid, but it's not impossible that a transmission could have a premature mechanical issue, just like any other component on the vehicle.
Low Fluid?
If your fluid is low, it doesn't necessarily mean you're headed for disaster, but it does most likely mean there is a leak somewhere in the system. Filling up the transmission and then checking it daily to see how quickly the level goes down can be a good way to assess the severity of a potential leak. Also try to visually inspect your transmission by looking under the car for any fluid oozing out of it. Does the car leave spots of reddish fluid on the ground after it's parked? If the fluid is black, it's engine oil. If it's water, it's likely condensation from the air-conditioning system.
If you do notice some transmission-fluid loss or observe that your transmission is using an abnormal amount of fluid, contact a mechanic as soon as you can. We'd recommend seeing a reputable car dealer who sells and services your vehicle as a first stop. Its service department will have the most experience with your make and model and might have seen this issue before. If you have the luxury of letting the car sit until it can be inspected, do so.
Contrary to what some internet mechanics may tell you, a transmission-fluid replacement will not destroy an older vehicle's aging transmission. Typically, when a transmission suddenly has issues after fluid replacement, it's because there was already an internal problem, such as a worn clutch pack. If your transmission is healthy, then a fresh change of fluid will only help its longevity.
FYI, if your transmission fluid is low and needs topping off, this is usually done through the same tube that the dipstick fits in. Adding fluid (which is available at auto-parts stores) will require a funnel with a narrow—and most likely long—spout.
Just like any machine, a transmission needs proper maintenance in order to operate as the manufacturer intended. As they say, take care of your transmission, and it will take care of you.
This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
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