![]() ![]() Of course, always check your fluid level if you notice a leak of any kind.Ĭar Talk Tip: Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn't burn up. We suggest that you check your owner's manual, however, since some manufacturers may have a different procedure. I've built a working nuclear reactor out of wood.įor most cars, checking the automatic transmission fluid consists of pulling the transmission dipstick out while the engine is warmed up and running and with the transmission in park. I've fixed things on my car that involve removing more than five bolts. I've successfully hung pictures around the house. It depends on where you rank on the Car Talk do-it-yourself scale: Be careful not to make the common mistake of confusing the transmission dipstick with the crankcase dipstick. ![]() It takes just a minute.Īutomatic: If you own a car with an automatic transmission, your car will have a dipstick for this purpose. If you own a car with a manual transmission, we suggest that you ask your mechanic to check the fluid level when your car is up on the lift during an oil change. A few thoughtful manufacturers have included a dipstick, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Manual: Checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be difficult. Here's how you can check your transmission fluid level: Unfortunately, you may not hear any noises or have other clues that your transmission is low on fluid, until it's too late. It also can harm the internal parts of your transmission, which will not be properly lubricated. Letting your car run low on transmission fluid can cause the transmission to shift improperly - or not at all. It's important to regularly check the transmission fluid level between service intervals. The yellow ring is clearly marked "engine oil." The ring on the right is red to match the automatic transmission fluid, the level of which this dipstick measures. Is there any maintenance required between intervals?Īutomakers have gotten better in recent years about labeling or color-coding dipsticks. In other words, changing your transmission fluid at the correct interval is a good investment. The result could be a hefty boat payment to your mechanic. This will shorten the transmission's life. ![]() If you don't change the transmission fluid on schedule, you'll be lubricating your transmission with metal shavings and other contaminants. ![]() If these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission. In addition, like in a manual transmission, automatic transmission fluid will also become contaminated with worn bits of the transmission. So if these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.Īutomatic: Because more heat is generated in an automatic transmission, automatic transmission fluid actually degrades and breaks down with use. And we all know that oil with microscopic particles of metal in it does not lubricate as well as clean oil. The resulting metal particles then float around in the lubricant. This contamination occurs over time as the synchronizers, bearings and gears in the transmission wear out. Manual: In a manual transmission, the problem is not so much the fluid degradation, but rather fluid contamination. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.Īutomatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles. Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. You should definitely change it at the recommended mileage regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission. How often should I change my transmission fluid? Your owner's manual will tell you what your transmission calls for. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: regular motor oil, heavyweight hypoid gear oil or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. Automatic transmissions use something called - shockingly - automatic transmission fluid. In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.Ī variety of fluids are used for different transmissions. Transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that acts as a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission. Changing automatic transmission fluid is best left to a mechanic equipped with a transmission flusher, like this Wynn's Transerve II+, which replaces the fluid more thoroughly than you could achieve with gravity alone. ![]()
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