How to Check Your Transmission Fluid

Making sure that your vehicle is never low on transmission fluid can help you prevent some of the serious types of issues down the road. After all, your car’s transmission is responsible for reducing stress on your engine when it accelerates by keeping rotations per minute low at high speeds. In essence, your transmission is to a car what a gear shifter is to a bicycle, except that a bike tends to have 10 gears and your transmission has 1000s of parts. Transmission fluid ensures they’re all properly lubricated and is crucial to the well-being of your vehicle. Let Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet in Tallahassee teach you how to check your transmission fluid, how often to check your transmission fluid, and what the signs are that you need a change. If you think you need additional help, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Checking Your Transmission Fluid: Step-by-Step Guide

Simply follow these steps:

1. Let your engine run for 5 minutes. Once the engine is warmed up, put the car in park before getting out and opening the hood.
2. Locate your transmission fluid dipstick. On front-wheel-drive cars, it’s most likely to the right of the oil dipstick. If you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual.
3. Stir the fluid with your forefinger. It should be nearly clear with a light pink undertone. If it looks dirty or smells burnt, take your car in for a transmission fluid replacement.
4. Insert your dipstick. Pull it out and check the level. If it’s under the “Full” mark, you’ll need to add more.
5. Pour transmission fluid through a funnel into the transmission fluid tank. Be sure not to overfill it.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet, a leading Chevy dealer that drivers from Havana and Quincy make the trip for.

Checking the Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

If you can’t find your dipstick and there’s no mention of it in your owner’s manual, then it’s likely that your car features a sealed transmission. “What is a sealed transmission?” you ask? A sealed transmission simply can’t be accessed with a dipstick. Don’t try to measure the transmission fluid level yourself as you may risk damaging your transmission. This is a case for the mechanics at our Chevy service garage in Tallahassee.

When to Check the Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

Sealed transmissions are designed to limit the amount of wasted transmission fluid and can save you money in the long run. Despite the design, however, it’s still possible for transmission fluid to get dirty, so be sure to watch for these signs if you think your transmission is sealed:

• Your car makes strange noises when the gears shift.
• The gears hesitate before shifting.
• When you accelerate, there’s a noticeable delay before the gear changes.

How Often Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

How often to check transmission fluid depends upon how often you drive, but the rule of thumb is that you should check to make sure your fluid levels are topped off once a month. This also applies to power steering fluid and engine oil. As always, for specific information about your unique model, consult your owner’s manual.

Transmission Fluid Basics

Your Chevy transmission is the most nuanced part of your vehicle. Before you check your transmission fluid, check out these general tips on transmission maintenance.

• There are many different types of transmission fluid for recent year models, manual transmission, automatic transmissions, and CVT transmissions. Your owner’s manual will recommend a particular type of transmission fluid.
• When you check the fluid on a manual transmission, you will usually need a jack to access a plug located underneath the car. For most drivers, this is a job for their Tallahassee mechanic.
• If your vehicle stalls when shifting gears, it’s probably a result of low transmission fluid, but it could indicate a much more serious issue. If your fluid isn’t low, schedule Chevy service with us today.
• The rule of thumb is that you should change your transmission fluid every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. The actual amount depends on your driving habits and transmission type.

Rely on Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet for All Your Service Needs

Now that you know how to check your transmission fluid and how often to change your transmission fluid, if you find you have a transmission problem you can’t explain, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet service center, one of the most trusted garages around Crawfordville. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our rotating Chevrolet service specials to see how much you can save on your next maintenance! Have additional maintenance questions, like how many miles do tires last? Consult our service tips to learn more!