What should you do when you change transmission fluid?
Dispose of the fluid properly. Transmission fluid is harmful for the environment, and it’s important that you avoid draining or dumping transmission fluids into the environment. Always wear gloves and wash your skin of any residue immediately after completing the change of fluids.
How can you tell if your transmission fluid is low?
New transmission fluid should appear red and almost transparent. If the color is brown or darker, you may have internal problems. See our transmission fluid color chart to see what the color of your fluid says about its condition. This sign that you’re running low on transmission fluid is pretty obvious but often overlooked.
Why is there red fluid under my transmission?
When you notice a small puddle or spots of a red or brown fluid underneath your vehicle where your engine and transmission sit, you likely have a transmission leak. This is usually due to a failed seal or gasket, loose drain plug, or even damage to the transmission pan itself.
When do you need to change the transmission dipstick?
One of the main reasons for transmission failures is overheating. This means, if you tow a trailer or drive in a mountainous area, change the fluid more often. Today, many cars don’t have a transmission dipstick. How do you know if the transmission fluid needs changing? A quick look into the maintenance schedule may help.
Where does the fluid go after a transmission change?
With automatic transmissions old transmission fluid can remain in the torque converter and won’t be drained out by draining the transmission fluid.
When you notice a small puddle or spots of a red or brown fluid underneath your vehicle where your engine and transmission sit, you likely have a transmission leak. This is usually due to a failed seal or gasket, loose drain plug, or even damage to the transmission pan itself.
New transmission fluid should appear red and almost transparent. If the color is brown or darker, you may have internal problems. See our transmission fluid color chart to see what the color of your fluid says about its condition. This sign that you’re running low on transmission fluid is pretty obvious but often overlooked.
What’s the best way to drain transmission fluid?
Transmission fluid drains better when slightly warmed, so let your vehicle idle for a few minutes. Then, turn off your engine, and raise and secure the vehicle on jacks. Some vehicles have a transmission fluid drain plug, while others instead require the transmission pan to be removed.