Most drivers are aware that they should periodically check their oil levels and change their oil on a regular basis. How about transmission fluid, though? Does it require the same level of upkeep and care?
Most drivers are aware that they should periodically check their oil levels and change their oil on a regular basis. How about transmission fluid, though? Does it require the same level of upkeep and care?
No, it doesn’t, is the quick response. The majority of manufacturers advise changing the gearbox fluid only when the engine is “under severe use.” You probably won’t ever need to change your gearbox fluid if you drive normally, without towing big objects, carrying hefty weights, or drag racing every weekend.
In fact, a lot of contemporary vehicles have sealed components, so even if you wanted to, you couldn’t check the gearbox fluid. Only with the car lifted in a garage can the fluid level be checked and changed.
Even if your car has an automatic transmission, you might have been sensing a problem, such as reluctance as the gears shift up or down. Or perhaps as the transmission system changes gears, the engine produces noises.
Checking the amount of your transmission fluid in that situation is simple and cost-free. If it’s low, you should schedule an appointment with the mechanic since there may be a leak anywhere in the transmission system.
No, it doesn’t, is the quick response. The majority of manufacturers advise changing the gearbox fluid only when the engine is “under severe use.” You probably won’t ever need to change your gearbox fluid if you drive normally, without towing big objects, carrying hefty weights, or drag racing every weekend.
In fact, a lot of contemporary vehicles have sealed components, so even if you wanted to, you couldn’t check the gearbox fluid. Only with the car lifted in a garage can the fluid level be checked and changed.
Even if your car has an automatic transmission, you might have been sensing a problem, such as reluctance as the gears shift up or down. Or perhaps as the transmission system changes gears, the engine produces noises.
Checking the amount of your transmission fluid in that situation is simple and cost-free. If it’s low, you should schedule an appointment with the mechanic since there may be a leak anywhere in the transmission system.
How to Check Your Transmission Fluid
Open the bonnet of your automobile as you park it on a flat place. Locate the dipstick for the transmission fluid close to the firewall that separates the engine from the passenger area. Although it appears to be the oil dipstick, it is most likely yellow. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle has a gearbox dipstick, read the owner’s handbook.) Suspend the hood.
- Start the vehicle and get inside. Parking brake set. While the engine is off, some automatic transmission fluid levels are checked. Consult the owner’s manual.)
- Slowly shift between park, reverse, drive, and low with an automatic transmission before switching back to park.
- Put the gearbox dipstick back into the dipstick tube after carefully removing it, cleaning it with a clean rag, and doing so.
- To check the transmission fluid level, remove the dipstick once again. Two “full” lines on the dipstick, one for warm fluid and the other for cold, may be present. Your automobile is already cold if it has just been running for a few seconds.
- Use a funnel to add more transmission fluid if the level is low.
- Switch over the transmission dipstick, then shut off the vehicle.
You can drive for a while to get the engine to working temperature before checking the transmission fluid to be sure you have just enough. That fluid level will be considered “warm.”
Adding Transmission Fluid
If the amount of transmission fluid is truly low, proceed to add the proper kind of transmission fluid for your vehicle. As each has different needs, there are various transmission fluids for manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and continuously variable transmissions.
But keep in mind that newer cars’ gearbox fluid should not need to be changed for thousands of kilometers. Therefore, if the level is low, there probably is a leak or a transmission problem. But schedule that appointment at the repair and add fluid right now to stop future harm to your entire transmission system.
