The automatic transmission in your car is one of the different hydraulic systems that a vehicle has. To maintain your automatic transmission system and function optimally, you should check the transmission fluid regularly, making sure it has the sufficient quantity and the necessary quality. Read on for detailed instructions on how to check and add fluid to your automatic transmission system.
Steps
Step 1. Park your car on a flat surface with the engine running
You may want to shift the transmission through each gear a little at a time before parking the car.
Step 2. Raise the hood
There is usually a lever inside the car that raises the hood and is located near the left side of the cockpit. Check your owner's manual if you can't find it.
Step 3. Find the conduit for the automatic transmission fluid
Many newer cars will have the designated transmission fluid line. If not, check your owner's manual to locate it.
- A rear wheel drive vehicle commonly has the dipstick behind the engine and above the valve cover.
- A front wheel drive vehicle has the dipstick commonly in front of the engine and is connected to the transaxle, coming out of the transmission.
Step 4. Remove the transmission fluid dipstick
Most cars should be left parked with the parking brake and transmission hot. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel. Put it back in and out again to check the transmission fluid level. The level of the liquid should be between the two marks indicated as "Full" (Full) and "Add" (Add) or "Hot" (Hot) and "Cold" (Cold).
The normal thing is not to have to add transmission fluid. If the level is well below the "Add" or "Cold" line, the system is likely leaking and you will need to take the car to the mechanic for inspection by a technician
Step 5. Check the condition of the transmission fluid
Normally, good transmission fluid is red, although sometimes it may be pink or light brown. It should also be free of bubbles and odor. If any of these conditions are not met, take your car to the service.
- If the transmission fluid is discolored brown or smells burnt, then its temperature is too high and does not protect the transmission as it should. You can further examine the liquid by placing some on a paper towel and waiting 30 seconds to see if it spreads. If it doesn't, then you must service the transmission or it could be seriously damaged.
- If the transmission fluid looks milky brown it is because it was contaminated with radiator coolant through a leak in the automatic transmission fluid vent. Take your car to the mechanic as soon as possible.
- If the transmission fluid looks foamy or has bubbles, there may be too much fluid in the transmission or the wrong one.
Step 6. Add transmission fluid if necessary
Pour in little by little to check the level constantly until it reaches the right level.
If you completely drained the reservoir, you will need to add to 1 whole of transmission fluid. Otherwise, check the dipstick regularly to avoid overfilling the liquid trap
Step 7. Start the car and if you have a chance, shift the transmission through each of the gears
This process allows the newly added transmission fluid to flow through the gears to coat and lubricate them. Start the engine and park the car (park) without the tires touching the ground, if possible. Go from 1st gear to 3rd gear, including "Drive," "Overdrive," and Reverse. When you're done, park the car to let the liquid heat up.
Step 8. Check the dipstick again to decide how much additional liquid you should add, if necessary
Inspect the dipstick to see if the transmission fluid level dropped due to its circulation through the clutch assemblies, thereby bleeding air within the system. Add as much liquid as necessary to reach the proper level.
Step 9. Add the necessary amount of liquid to reach the proper level
Whether you're filling transmission fluid to the top or replacing the manifold entirely with new fluid, you may need to add more transmission fluid at this point.
- If you are only filling the liquid to the top, then you may only need to add ¼ or less.
- If you drained the fluid from the sump, removed it, and replaced the filter, then you may need to add 4-12 quarts, depending on the make and model.
Step 10. You are done
The transmission fluid in your car is positioned correctly and the gear should have a good rhythm.
Advice
- Check your owner's manual to find out when your automatic transmission fluid should be replaced. If you constantly drive through mountains or tow heavy trailers, you will need to change the fluid more frequently. Whenever you replace your automatic transmission fluid, the filter should also be changed.
- Always use the transmission fluid specified by the manufacturer for the make and model of your car.