How to check and maintain transmission fluid

The transmission fluid in a transmission is like the blood in your body. If it get low, or old it eventually slows down and stops. Here’s how to check and maintain the level for proper operation.

Just like the engine oil, the transmission was designed with the ease of checking the fluid level with a dip stick.

Universally the engine oil dip stick is color coded red and the transmission dip stick is color coded yellow for all manufactures until the last couple of years.

Note:

Some new cars today don’t have transmission dip sticks which force people to return to the dealer to have service work done.

When checking the transmission fluid, drive the vehicle to warm up the fluid.
Locate the transmission dip stick.

With the engine still running, remove the dip stick and wipe off the fluid.

Wipe clean and observe where the minimum and maximum fluid level marks are when hot.

Install the dip stick back into the tube for a few seconds and remove to check.

If the fluid is ok then the level should be between the minimum and maximum marks.

Refer to the owner’s manual or your local parts store on which type of fluid to use when topping up the transmission.

General Motors and most of the Imports typically use Dextron 3 fluid, Ford uses a Type F fluid, and Chrysler uses ATF+3, here are two types.

Note:

If the wrong type is used it could cause poor shifting or total failure. This is why it’s important to use the correct type of fluid.

If the fluid needs to be added, top up using a funnel that fits into the fill tube.

Top up in small/1/4 quart increments and check until the fluid is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dip stick.

Use the fluid indicator built into the side of the bottle to monitor the amount used.

Recommendations:

If the fluid needs to be added regularly then have it checked for a leak at a repair shop to determine the extent of the leakage. The best way to maintain a long lifespan for a transmission is to replace the fluid and filter every 4 years or 60,000 miles.