What color should transmission fluid look like?
Healthy transmission fluid should be relatively clear or pink in color. If your transmission fluid is deep red or brown, your transmission fluid is old and most likely causing extra damage within your transmission. If it is dark brown, that is a sign you have burnt transmission fluid from overheating.
Why is my transmission fluid dark?
Is Transmission Fluid Dark Brown or Black? Nearly black or black transmission fluid means the fluid is old, very dirty, contaminated, and if paired with a burnt toast smell, has oxidized. If your transmission is showing signs of slipping or hesitation, repair or replacement may be in order.
What do I do if my transmission fluid is brown?
Transmission fluid can also be brownish due to oxidation. In this case, however, the brownish color is accompanied by a burnt smell. Brownish transmission oil requires you to take action immediately. It is advisable to either fluid flush or do a filter or fluid change.
Why does transmission fluid turn a dark color?
Transmission fluid is actually dyed for identification purposes. Over time, the fluid will become darker, causing it to go from its original red to a dark, burnt color due to age and vehicle use. It can also occur when contaminants flow through an improperly functioning transmission filter.
Where do I find the transmission fluid color chart?
To use the information and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) color chart provided below you must first determine the color of the transmission fluid that is in your transmission or transaxle. To do this, follow these instructions: Open your vehicle’s hood and locate the transmission dipstick.
What should I do if my transmission fluid is pink?
You should immediately change the filter and fluid or do complete flushing. Given the condition, you may need to rebuild the transmission, which is quite an expensive repair. Pink is a sweet, bubbly color but it’s an ominous sign when transmission fluid turns pink.
How can I tell if my transmission fluid is bad?
Transmission Fluid Diagnosis. The transmission fluid is cooled by a cooler built into your radiator. Sometimes when the radiator fails, engine coolant is allowed to cross-over into the transmission cooling tubes and contaminates the transmission fluid. Have your transmission inspected as soon as possible to avoid further damage.