How To Check Transmission Fluid

It is always recommended that you check the car’s transmission fluid and perform an transmission oil change any time that the transmission is not shifting smoothly.

This is important because it will help in the optimization of the performance of many components of the car. It is advisable to look up the manual so as to determine the intervals that you are required to change the fluid. Therefore to change your transmission fluid, consider the following steps.

You should start by first parking the car on a level ground. This should then be followed by starting up the engine and then the gear should be left on a neutral or park. You should then leave the engine to warm up.

It is advisable to leave the engine running all through this process unless the manual states otherwise. You should then get the dipstick from the back of the engine. The dipstick resembles the engine dipstick even though it is normally shorter.

The dipstick should then be pulled out and removed completely. This may take a long time since the dipstick is long. After this, the dipstick should be wiped out with a rag then replaced back into the engine.

It should then be pushed all the way into the engine and removed again. You should then examine the tip of the dipstick. This should enable you to determine if there are two different full markings.

Normally the dipstick shows two markings, one for the warm readings and the other one for the cold readings. You should check whether the transmission fluid comes up to the line marked full on the warm reading. If it does not, you should then add the transmission fluid.

It is advisable to add the transmission fluid to the hole where the dipstick came from. A funnel with a long narrow neck will be useful in this task. It is recommended that you add only a small amount of the transmission fluid at a time and always remember to check the level using the dipstick every time. Be careful not to add too much as it may difficult to take it out. Once you are through, put back the dipstick.

The transmission fluid for lower mileage cars should be changed in at least every 25,000 miles. It is recommended that you maintain the transmission fluid early in the life of the vehicle.

This is because transmission oil change later on may cause some trouble to the car. Regularly servicing the vehicle will help to make its life expectancy longer, increase its performance and also make the shifting smoother.

Higher mileage cars should have their transmission fluid changed in less than 80,000 miles. In case the transmission is not maintained, you should avoid replacing the fluid as well as the filter.

This is because at this time, the fluid will be dirty and gritty and this is important for providing the friction necessary for the worn out internal parts of the transmission. The transmission should be serviced regularly.

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