How to Check Your Transmission Fluid

How to Check Your Transmission Fluid

How often do you check your transmission fluid? Many San Antonio drivers find themselves pondering this question. Knowing how to check your transmission fluid will help you monitor your vehicle’s transmission fluid levels, while knowing how often to change transmission fluid will prevent costly repairs later on down the road. After all, your vehicle’s transmission is what keeps it going, so it’s vital that you check the transmission fluid regularly. Let the service department at Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville make changing the transmission fluid easy.

Checking Transmission Fluid: Step-by-Step

To help you understand how to check transmission fluid, we’ve broken the process down into some easy-to-follow steps. Follow these instructions to make sure your vehicle is ready for the Alamo Heights roads:

How to Check Transmission Fluid

• Unlike checking the oil, the engine will need to be warmed up before checking the transmission fluid. Turn the engine on and let the car run for a few minutes before checking the fluid.
• Before you get out to check the fluid, be sure to put your car in the park position.
• Like with checking for oil, you’ll need the transmission fluid dipstick to check the fluid level of the transmission. Usually, this can be found to the right of the oil dipstick. If you are unsure where to find the transmission fluid dipstick, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
• Once you have found the dipstick and pulled it out, touch the fluid, and run it through your fingers. The fluid should be clear and have a slight pinkish color. If the fluid is dirty or smells burnt, it will need to be taken to a service center to be replaced.
• Wipe off the dipstick with a rag and insert it back into the vehicle. Pull out the dipstick once more and check the fluid level. If it is under the “full” line, then you will need to add more fluid.
• Grab a funnel and pour the fluid in until it is up to the “full” line. You’ll want to be careful not to overfill it.
• For other simple DIY step-by-step guides, learn how to jump start your car when you visit Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville.

How to Check the Transmission Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

If you don’t see a transmission fluid dipstick under the hood, this probably means the car has a sealed transmission. All this means is that there is no dipstick that you can use to measure the fluid level. You will have to take this into a service center to have it checked. You can easily schedule a service with Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville to get those hard-to-reach spots.

How Often to Change Transmission Fluid

How often to change transmission fluid depends on whether your transmission is a manual or automatic. Manual transmissions need their fluid changed more frequently than automatic transmissions. Check your owner’s manual for the exact frequency.

How Often to Change Transmission Fluid

• Automatic transmissions – 60,000 to 100,000 miles
• Manual transmissions – every 30,000 to 60,000 miles

Signs You Might Need to Change Your Transmission Fluid

• The fluid is dark brown or black instead of bright red
• It has trouble shifting
• It’s slipping gears
• There is a grinding noise when shifting
• You experience unexpected surging backwards or forwards.

Schedule a Service with Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville

Now that you know how to check your transmission fluid, schedule a service with Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville. Contact us to schedule online or get any other service tips and tricks, like how often to change your oil. If you’re not sure how often you check your transmission fluid, we’ll help you get the best guess for your vehicle. Let us help you drive smoothly on the Castroville roads! For other helpful tips, like how to make a DIY air freshener, visit Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Castroville.