When to Check Transmission Fluid Level?

Checking your transmission fluid regularly is a good habit to have. Many people check their oil level regularly but don’t think about checking their transmission fluid level as well. If the transmission is automatic, it is important to check transmission fluid if it has a transmission fluid dipstick. Manual transmissions are unable to be checked at home and must be checked by a professional. So, if you have an automatic transmission, it would be a good idea to know how to check your transmission fluid.

When to Check Transmission Fluid Level?

If you have an automatic transmission with a transmission fluid dipstick, you should regularly check the transmission fluid levels. By regularly checking your transmission fluid, you may prevent transmission problems related to dirty or low transmission fluid, which can cause problems such as an overheating transmission.

How to Check Transmission Fluid?

Checking transmission fluid is similar to checking engine oil levels since you check both by a dipstick. The dipstick for transmission fluid will either be towards the rear of the engine or the transaxle depending on if your vehicle is a rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Transmission dipsticks are commonly labeled transmission fluid. If you don’t want to bother with checking it at home, you can always make an appointment at your local transmission shop. An appointment to check transmission fluid is a simple transmission service, and it can be a good choice, especially if your transmission fluid needs to be replaced. A transmission fluid change or fluid flush should be performed by a transmission professional.

To check your transmission fluid:

1.Park your vehicle on even ground.

2.Put your emergency brake on or keep your vehicle in neutral.

3.Check your owner’s manual to know if your engine should be on or off.

4.Locate your transmission fluid dipstick.

5.Check your transmission fluid level.

6.Examine your transmission fluid—Scent, Consistency, Color.

When examining transmission fluid, check the scent, consistency, and color. Transmission fluid should have no odor; It is odorless. If it has a burnt smell, it is best to get your transmission fluid repalced by a professional transmission technician, since it is a sign of old transmission fluid. The consistency of good transmission fluid is clean and has no debris. If the consistency has large particles, it is contaminated and dirty transmission fluid. If it is foamy/bubbly fluid, it could mean that the wrong transmission fluid was used or too much fluid was added. Transmission fluid should not be dark brown or black. Here is a color chart for transmission fluid:

Clear or slightly pink/red – Fluid is New or Fresh

Dark red or slightly brown – Fluid is Okay

Dark brown – Fluid Needs to Be Replaced

Black – Fluid is Burnt

If transmission fluid low, dirty, or has dark brown/black fluid you should schedule an appointment with a transmission shop as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to get your transmission serviced. Transmission fluid replacement can be an easy fix, but if it left unaddressed it could cause damage to other parts of the transmission system. Eagle Transmission RepairShop in Mesquite can do a courtesy check on your transmission fluid and see if it needs to be change. Call us today to schedule an appointment. Providing transmission repair in Dallascounty and surrounding areas.