Do You Leave the Car Running to Check Transmission Fluid?

Introduction

Checking the transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining your car. But do you need to leave the car running to check the fluid? The answer is: it depends.

When to Leave the Car Running

There are a few situations when you should leave the car running to check the transmission fluid:

• If your car has a dipstick. Most cars have a dipstick that you can use to check the transmission fluid. If your car has a dipstick, you should leave the car running and in park when you check the fluid. This will allow the fluid to circulate and give you an accurate reading.
• If your car has a fluid level sensor. Some cars have a fluid level sensor that will tell you if the transmission fluid is low. If your car has a fluid level sensor, you should leave the car running and in park when you check the fluid. This will allow the sensor to get an accurate reading.

When to Turn the Car Off

There are also a few situations when you should turn the car off to check the transmission fluid:

• If your car has a sealed transmission. Some cars have a sealed transmission that does not have a dipstick or a fluid level sensor. If your car has a sealed transmission, you should turn the car off before you check the fluid.
• If the transmission fluid is hot. If the transmission fluid is hot, you should wait until it cools down before you check it. This will prevent you from getting burned.

How to Check the Transmission Fluid

To check the transmission fluid, follow these steps:

1. Park the car on a level surface. This will ensure that you get an accurate reading.
2. Turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool down. If the transmission fluid is hot, you could get burned.
3. Locate the dipstick or fluid level sensor. The dipstick is usually located near the back of the engine. The fluid level sensor is usually located on the side of the transmission.
4. Pull out the dipstick or check the fluid level sensor. If the fluid level is low, you will need to add more fluid.
5. Add fluid to the transmission. You should use the type of fluid that is recommended for your car.
6. Reinsert the dipstick or check the fluid level sensor. Check the fluid level again to make sure that it is correct.

Conclusion

Checking the transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining your car. By following the steps above, you can check the fluid level safely and accurately.