How to check your fluid level:
To properly check the fluid level, you must first park your car on a flat surface. While some OEMs advise owners to check the fluid with the engine turned off, you can also warm-up the engine and continue running through your test. Check the owner’s manual for specific instructions regarding any procedure.
Locate your transmission fluid dipstick:
The first thing that needs to be done is to identify the automatic transmission fluid dipstick. It is usually located in and behind the engine bay of the car to avoid being confused with the engine oil dipstick. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact location and to avoid any confusion.
Once identified, rotate the dipstick and take it out. To ensure a clear reading, remember to wipe the stick and reinsert it to get a fresh reading. These dipsticks usually have markings on the lower end to indicate the amount of fluid present inside the system. Different types of cases have two marks on the dipstick, indicating the level of fluid when it is hot or cold.
What to do in case of low transmission fluid:
If you find that your transmission fluid is on the low end, now you need to top it up for a hassle free driving experience. This can be done in two ways, either you can identify the transmission fluid prescribed for your vehicle and top-up the fluid yourself or you can immediately fill it up as per specification from an authorized service station.
Self top-up will definitely save you a lot of time and some money. However, make sure that the fluid is not overfilled and there are no spills as they can negatively impact the life of the transmission. So you can either fill up small amounts and keep checking the dipstick or you can be extra careful and leave it to the professionals.
Symptoms of low fluid in your automatic transmission:
While most automatic transmission fluids are rated to last between 50,000 and 100,000 km on average, other factors such as driving style, weather and make can affect longevity. There are a number of symptoms that can throw a faulty transmission or low fluid level that will help you identify an impending disaster in a timely manner.
Noise:
While an automatic transmission naturally makes a slight hoarse or humming noise, increased noise or other types of noise coming from the transmission tunnel are cause for concern because they indicate low fluid levels.
Burning smell:
In some cases, overheating of the transmission fluid can cause a burning smell, also a sign of a low fluid level. In such a situation, the transmission needs to be checked immediately to identify whether the components are overheating or corrosive gunk is building up inside.
Fluid Leakage:
Transmission fluid is essential to the system but very often the system can leak. If you identify a leak under your vehicle and see it’s a bright red one, it’s likely a transmission leak. Contact your authorized service center immediately.
Apart from these, slow gear engagement, poor acceleration and warning alerts on the dashboard are other obvious signs of possible low fluid in your automatic transmission. If you encounter any of these issues, it is advised that you get your vehicle checked and repaired at an authorized service center to have a safe and enjoyable journey.
Tell us about your essential checklist for your vehicle in the comments below.