What Happens When Your Car Needs Transmission Fluid

Introduction

Transmission fluid is a vital fluid in your car that helps to lubricate and cool the transmission. Without it, your transmission would quickly overheat and fail. That’s why it’s important to check your transmission fluid level regularly and to have it changed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

What Happens When Your Transmission Fluid is Low

If your transmission fluid is low, it can cause a number of problems, including:

• Slipping gears
• Difficulty shifting gears
• Noisy transmission
• Overheating transmission

If you experience any of these problems, it’s important to check your transmission fluid level and have it topped up if necessary. If the problem persists, you may need to have your transmission serviced.

What Happens When Your Transmission Fluid is Dirty

Over time, transmission fluid can become dirty and contaminated with metal shavings, dirt, and other debris. This can cause the fluid to lose its lubricating properties and lead to a number of problems, including:

• Increased wear on transmission components
• Reduced transmission efficiency
• Shorter transmission lifespan

It’s important to have your transmission fluid changed regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent these problems from occurring.

How to Check Your Transmission Fluid Level

Checking your transmission fluid level is a simple process that can be done at home. Here’s how to do it:

1. Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine.
2. Wait a few minutes for the transmission fluid to cool down.
3. Open the hood and locate the transmission fluid dipstick. It is usually located near the back of the engine and has a red or orange handle.
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. It should be between the “min” and “max” marks.
7. If the fluid level is low, add some transmission fluid to the transmission through the dipstick tube.

How to Change Your Transmission Fluid

Changing your transmission fluid is a more involved process than checking the fluid level, but it’s still something that you can do at home if you have some basic tools and mechanical skills. Here’s how to do it:

1. Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine.
2. Wait a few minutes for the transmission fluid to cool down.
3. Place a drain pan under the transmission.
4. Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the transmission and remove it using a wrench.
5. Allow the transmission fluid to drain out into the drain pan.
6. Once the transmission fluid has drained out, replace the drain plug.
7. Locate the transmission fluid filler plug on the side of the transmission and remove it using a wrench.
8. Using a funnel, add new transmission fluid to the transmission until the fluid level reaches the “max” mark on the dipstick.
9. Replace the transmission fluid filler plug.
10. Start the engine and run it for a few minutes to circulate the new transmission fluid.
11. Check the transmission fluid level again and adjust it if necessary.

Conclusion

Transmission fluid is a vital fluid in your car that helps to lubricate and cool the transmission. It’s important to check your transmission fluid level regularly and to have it changed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid problems. If you experience any problems with your transmission, such as slipping gears, difficulty shifting gears, or a noisy transmission, it’s important to have it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.