Transmission Fluid

How Transmission Fluid Warns Of Potential Problems With Your Car's Transmission

Monitoring the transmission fluid in your car is one way to track the condition of the transmission. You should get in the habit of checking the fluid periodically just to make sure everything is working okay. You'll want to check the fluid level along with the color and consistency of the fluid. Here's what you need to know.

Levels Shouldn't Decrease

Transmission fluid levels should remain constant. It's not normal if you need to add fluid all the time. If the fluid level drops, it means you have a leak that needs to be found by a mechanic and repaired. Refer to the owner's manual for your car so you can find the dipstick for checking your transmission fluid. You can check the level every few months or so to verify you aren't losing fluid. Also, if your car seems

When you check the level of fluid, wipe the dipstick onto a white cloth or paper towel so you can check the fluid color and consistency. It should be clean and transparent. If your transmission fluid is dark or filled with clumps of debris, that's a sign something is going wrong inside your transmission. The fluid can also appear burnt and even have a burnt odor. This could indicate there is too much friction inside the system. The fluid needs to be drained and replaced once repairs are made.

The transmission fluid could also develop a creamy consistency while maintaining its red color. This is a sign of contamination with radiator fluid and you'll need to have a mechanic make repairs to the radiator or transmission before extensive damage occurs. Fluid that is very light pink may have lost some color because it's diluted with water. That can sometimes happen if you drive through high water or if you car is caught in a flood. In that case, your transmission needs to be dried to prevent rust and the fluid should be drained and