Should the Car Be Running When Checking Transmission Fluid?

Introduction

Checking your transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining your vehicle. But when you check it, should the car be running or not? The answer depends on the type of transmission you have.

Manual Transmissions

If you have a manual transmission, the car should not be running when you check the fluid. The reason for this is that the fluid level in a manual transmission changes when the gears are engaged. If the car is running, the gears will be engaged and the fluid level will be higher than it would be if the car were not running.

To check the fluid level in a manual transmission, follow these steps:

1. Park the car on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Locate the transmission dipstick. It is usually located on the side of the transmission.
4. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the transmission and pull it out again.
6. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. The fluid level should be between the two marks on the dipstick.

Automatic Transmissions

If you have an automatic transmission, the car should be running when you check the fluid. The reason for this is that the fluid level in an automatic transmission changes when the transmission is in gear. If the car is not running, the transmission will be in park and the fluid level will be lower than it would be if the car were running.

To check the fluid level in an automatic transmission, follow these steps:

1. Start the car and let it idle for a few minutes.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Move the gear selector through all of the gears, pausing for a few seconds in each gear.
4. Return the gear selector to park.
5. Locate the transmission dipstick. It is usually located on the side of the transmission.
6. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag.
7. Reinsert the dipstick into the transmission and pull it out again.
8. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. The fluid level should be between the two marks on the dipstick.

Conclusion

Whether or not you should check your transmission fluid with the car running depends on the type of transmission you have. If you have a manual transmission, the car should not be running. If you have an automatic transmission, the car should be running.