No Transmission Fluid: Why Your Car Won’t Start
Transmission fluid is an essential component of your car’s transmission system. It lubricates the moving parts, cools the system, and helps to prevent wear and tear. If your car is low on transmission fluid, it can cause a number of problems, including:
- Slipping gears
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Noisy transmission
- Overheating transmission
- Transmission failure
In some cases, a lack of transmission fluid can also prevent your car from starting. This is because the transmission fluid is used to engage the gears, and without it, the transmission cannot function properly.
Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluid
There are a number of symptoms that can indicate that your car is low on transmission fluid. These symptoms include:
- Leaking transmission fluid
- Low transmission fluid level on the dipstick
- Slipping gears
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Noisy transmission
- Overheating transmission
Causes of Low Transmission Fluid
There are a number of things that can cause your car to lose transmission fluid. These causes include:
- Leaks
- Overheating
- Wear and tear
How to Check Transmission Fluid
You can check your car’s transmission fluid level by following these steps:
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the transmission fluid to cool down.
- Open the hood and locate the transmission dipstick. The dipstick will usually be labeled with a red or orange handle.
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag.
- Reinsert the dipstick into the transmission and pull it out again.
- Check the fluid level on the dipstick. The fluid level should be between the “min” and “max” marks on the dipstick.
How to Add Transmission Fluid
If your car is low on transmission fluid, you can add more fluid by following these steps:
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the transmission fluid to cool down.
- Open the hood and locate the transmission dipstick.
- Pull out the dipstick and insert a funnel into the dipstick tube.
- Add transmission fluid to the funnel until the fluid level on the dipstick is between the “min” and “max” marks.
- Reinsert the dipstick and check the fluid level again to make sure it is correct.
When to See a Mechanic
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of low transmission fluid, it is important to see a mechanic as soon as possible. A mechanic can diagnose the cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action.