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The transmission is a very important part of your vehicle. Have you ever heard "Well, the tranny's going"? This is a situation that you'll want to avoid by checking the transmission fluid. Checking your transmission fluid will help you look for any change in color or smell in the fluid, as it will tell you if your transmission is running smoothly. If you are not sure how to check your transmission fluid, check out the tips below so that it'll be an effortless task for you to do!
How to Check the Transmission Fluid
Checking the transmission fluid uses a similar dipstick as the oil one, too. The difference is, of course, the transmission dipstick measures the amount of fluid in your transmission. If there are signs that the fluid levels are low, it can show that there is a leak somewhere that you'll need to check. You'll need to make sure that you do not overfill the transmission as well, as foaming can cause additional issues.
- Turn your vehicle on for a few minutes so that the transmission fluid can expand. You'll get accurate results when the vehicle is "warmed up".
- Look for the dipstick. In front wheel vehicles, it'll be near the oil dipstick. In rear wheel vehicles, it'll be near the back of the engine.
- Transmission dipsticks can be red, pink or yellow so that it's easily identifiable
- Just like an oil check, you'll want to use a rag as you use the dipstick to check the transmission fluid. The indicators on the stick will let you know if the fluid levels are high or low. You'll want to do this at least twice (remember to wipe the stick after the first time to get an accurate reading.
When you check the transmission fluid, you'll want to ensure that the colors are bright red (darker red or brown is ok), somewhat thick consistency and odorless. If it's black and smells bad, it needs to go to an auto shop right away. If you have a newer car, it may not come with a transmission dipstick. With that said, if you need a transmission service, we invite you to bring your vehicle to The Car Guys today!