Most car owners know the importance of regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire replacements, in keeping their vehicles roadworthy. However, one must also pay attention to automatic transmission—that gearbox with which one frequently changes into drive, reverse, and park. Since the transmission is one of the most expensive parts of a car, regular maintenance can pay off. Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to check transmission fluids.

Purpose of transmission fluid
The gears in your car’s transmission are lubricated with transmission fluid. The fluid’s ability to reduce friction between moving metal parts makes it a coolant as well as viscous and slippery. Some automobiles demand a specific brand of transmission fluid. Therefore, before purchasing transmission fluid for your car, check the owner’s handbook.

A vehicle with a normal engine or stick shift can access the transmission fluid under the car. For access, the car typically needs to be leveled and lifted. Consult a professional for advice on how to check transmission fluid if you need the necessary tools.

Reasons to check the transmission
Transmission fluid serves to disburse heat while lubricating the components in your transmission. The fluid cannot function if it is too old or low. Driving with insufficient transmission fluid might harm the transmission and result in shifting issues. A damaged transmission is expensive to repair or replace.

Thankfully, DIY transmission fluid inspections are quick and simple, making it easy to check the transmission fluid and avoid damage. Checking the transmission fluid only requires a clean rag.

Ways to check transmission fluid
Automatic transmissions use specially formulated transmission fluid for the same function as your engine’s use of oil to lubricate and cool its internals. Continuous variable automatic transmissions (CVTs), dual-clutch automatics, and conventional automatic transmissions use different types of transmission fluid. Check the owner’s handbook for clarification on what fluid your transmission uses; specifications for transmission fluid are often listed there.

A quick visual inspection is required to acquire insight into the state of your car’s transmission. You must check the quantity and quality of your transmission fluid. Follow these steps to know how easy it is to check the transmission fluid.

Track down the dipstick
Find the transmission dipstick in the engine compartment under the hood. Usually, a particular color or a transmission symbol is used to mark the transmission dipstick.

However, one should not worry if unable to locate the dipstick. Many contemporary car models lack a dipstick because they have sealed-for-life transmissions that do not necessitate a fluid change or examination. You can check the owner’s manual to see if your vehicle has a gearbox dipstick and for the exact maintenance schedule for your model.

If your automobile has a sealed transmission, you can slam the hood shut and start driving. However, if your car has a transmission dipstick, follow these steps:

Verify the level
Park your car on a level surface while the engine is warmed up. The dipstick should be pulled out, cleaned, carefully reset, and pulled out again. When comparing the fluid level to the dipstick’s “full” and “low” or “fill” lines, you can observe how much the fluid increases above the lines.

Condition of fluid
To determine the fluid’s color, lay the dipstick on a white surface like a paper towel. Your transmission fluid’s condition and, to some extent, the color of the fluid can determine the transmission itself. Your fluid should be reddish-pink if it’s in good health; if it has to be replaced, it will turn brownish-red. You will likely need to replace more than just your fluid if the fluid is dark brown or black.

The worst-case scenario involves finding small metal particles in the dark, burnt-smelling fluid. Both these scenarios could indicate internal transmission component degradation. It typically results from disregarding the suggested service interval for changing the transmission fluid. So to avoid this issue, keep checking your transmission fluid.

Checking for leaks
Although a low fluid level doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, it usually implies a leak somewhere in the system. A simple technique to gauge the gravity of a potential leak is to fill up the transmission and then check it regularly to see how quickly the level drops. It is also advised to check underneath the vehicle for any fluid leaks.

Frequency of transmission maintenance of fluids
Your car runs more smoothly if the transmission fluid levels are adequately maintained. It is advised to check the levels at least once a year. It is a common practice among mechanics for routine maintenance. To ensure optimum operation, you can check the level of your transmission fluid every month. Most experts believe transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Your automobile shouldn’t lose automatic transmission fluid under normal circumstances, so if it does, it indicates a leak somewhere. Make an appointment with a repair specialist immediately to rectify it to avoid potential transmission damage. Some automatic transmissions lack dipsticks or may need a technician to check the fluid level. Refer to your owner’s or service manual for detailed instructions on changing the vehicle’s oil and filter. Exercise maximum caution when jacking or elevating any vehicle.