Knowing how to put transmission fluid in your car can help you learn how to keep an eye on your transmission and save money on costly repairs from an overworked gearbox while also saving yourself a trip to the mechanic. Learn more about checking your transmission fluid levels and what kind of fluid to add.
Transmission fluid keeps the inner workings of your transmission cool and lubricated, reducing wear and tear while preventing severe problems, such as slipping gears. Both automatic and manual transmissions use special transmission fluids, and depending on the car manufacturer’s recommendation, these need to be topped up periodically.
Don’t just buy any transmission fluid – always check your car’s owner’s manual. It will have crucial information to keep and maintain your transmission. This article will help you learn how to put transmission fluid in your car and recognize when to call a mechanic.
How to Put Transmission Fluid in Your Car
The process of how to put transmission fluid in your car can be simple, like adding motor oil to the engine. But depending on your car’s make and model, it can also be tremendously frustrating. Not all cars grant easy access to the transmission, and some require you to replace or add transmission fluid by removing a bolt rather than a dipstick, for example. If you can’t find a dipstick or fill cap for your transmission under the hood, check your owner’s manual – you may need to visit a mechanic.
If your car is designed to allow you to add your transmission fluid, then the process is straightforward. First, make sure your car is level. Get the engine going, and while keeping the break depressed, go through each gear on your automatic transmission, then stay in the park with the handbrake pulled. If you’re driving a manual car, it’s enough to get the engine heated up and the handbrake pulled. Most petrol engines reach their operating temperatures quickly, but a diesel engine might need more time.
Once your car is level, heated up, and either idling or turned off (depending on the recommendation in the owner’s manual), locate the transmission fluid dipstick or fill cap under the hood. Pull the stick out, thoroughly wipe it with a paper towel or a clean rag, and reinsert the dipstick. As with your motor oil dipstick, the hash marks on the transmission fluid dipstick will tell you if you need to top up on liquid.
You can use this time to inspect the fluid. It should be somewhat translucent and dense, and it should feel smooth. If the fluid smells burnt, contains particulate matter, or looks wrong (cloudy or textured), get your car towed to your mechanic. Otherwise, use a funnel to carefully add the appropriate type and amount of transmission fluid recommended by your car’s owner’s manual. Finally, check the fluid level intermittently using the dipstick and adjust as needed.
What is Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a mechanical lubricant like motor oil, but it has a few different specifications, meaning you can’t replace transmission fluid with motor oil. In most cases, transmission fluid is clearly labeled and color-coded to make mixing transmission fluids with engine oils impossible. A lot of transmission fluids are red, for example.
While checking your transmission fluid is similar to checking your engine oil, it’s much rarer that you will need to top off your transmission or do a total transmission fluid change.
Your car’s owner’s manual will give you the details, but most cars don’t need a transmission fluid change until around 25,000 miles driven (40,000 km). Meanwhile, oil changes are recommended around once a year or every 3-5,000 miles.
Importance of Proper Transmission Fluid Levels
If your car doesn’t have the right amount of transmission fluid, it can lead to several issues and potential damage to your vehicle’s transmission system.
The most significant issues here are heat and friction. Transmission fluid helps lubricate the moving parts inside the transmission. Without enough fluid, these parts can experience increased friction and heat, leading to accelerated wear and potential damage. Insufficient fluid levels can cause the transmission to overheat, leading to fluid breakdown, component damage, and even transmission failure.
Proper transmission fluid levels are also essential for smooth gear shifts in automatic and manual transmissions. Low fluid levels can result in difficulty shifting gears, delayed engagement, or slipping gears, affecting the vehicle’s performance and drivability or, worst case, causing an accident due to stalling or unexpected vehicle handling.
Regularly checking and replenishing transmission fluid levels according to the manufacturer’s recommendations can help prevent potential issues and ensure smooth performance on the road.
Having too much transmission fluid in your car can also cause problems. Overfilling the transmission can lead to foaming or aerating of the fluid, which reduces its ability to lubricate and cool the transmission components effectively. Additionally, excess fluid can create pressure inside the transmission, leading to leaks, seal damage, and other issues.
To drain excess transmission fluid, you typically need to locate the transmission fluid drain plug or drain bolt, usually located on the transmission pan underneath the vehicle. While you can drain excess transmission fluid yourself, it might be a good idea to call a mechanic if you’ve never done so before, especially on a newer car. Always check and recheck your fluid levels before and after draining, and top up—slowly—as needed.
Signs of Low Transmission Fluid
All cars – including older ones – will check the oil pressure in the engine and give you a red light when something’s wrong. However, only newer cars monitor transmission fluid pressure utilizing electronic sensors, meaning you may need to watch for symptoms of low transmission fluid yourself. These can include:
- Difficulty shifting gears or slipping gears.
- Shuddering or shaking, even though you’re in the “correct” gear.
- Lurching and sudden jerks.
- Clunking noises or humming while driving.
- Oil puddles under the car despite the engine oil levels being fine.
Transmission Services at Blu Automotive
Knowing how to put transmission fluid in your car is crucial for maintaining the health of your transmission and preventing costly repairs.
Regularly testing your transmission fluid levels can keep you safe on the road and prevent expensive wear and tear. Test your transmission fluid whenever you’re testing your engine oil levels as a proactive measure to help prolong the lifespan of your vehicle’s transmission system.
If your transmission fluid smells burnt, looks strange, or has been acting up recently, call Blu Automotive’s mechanics today.
