Whether your car has a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, maintaining the proper level of transmission fluid is very important. Transmission fluid keeps the transmission lubricated, which helps to prevent slipping, hesitation, burning, or excessive wear and tear. Driving without enough transmission fluid can lead to some very expensive repairs. The good news is that routine transmission maintenance and service is relatively simple and much less expensive compared to the transmission repair cost or the expense of having to have your transmission replaced.
Transmission Problems
A low transmission fluid level often results in the same symptoms as larger transmission problems. If your car hesitates when you shift gears, if you notice light grey smoke coming from the tailpipe, or if you hear clunking noises, it could very well just mean your car is low on transmission fluid. So before you get talked into spending a ton on a rebuilt or brand new transmission try a cheaper solution first. You don't want to pay for a new transmission when a bottle of transmission fluid, a $20 part, or routine service could have resolved your transmission problems. Learning how to check transmission fluid can help you avoid getting steered wrong or ripped off outright.
Transmission Fluid is Vital for Both Manual and Automatic Transmissions
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Checking automatic transmission fluid is not terribly complicated and is somewhat similar to checking the oil. There is a dipstick for you to check and you can easily locate it when you pop your engine hood. There are many different types of automatic transmission fluid, though. Different manufacturers require different types of fluid and older vehicles will likely use a different type than newer cars. Using the wrong automatic transmission fluid can cause performance problems and other serious issues. So if you notice that you are running a bit low, you will have to consult your owner's manual for the specific type.
Manual Transmission Fluid
Doing a manual transmission fluid check yourself is a bit more difficult. It requires being able to get underneath the car. You will also need to use tools like a wrench and possibly a hand pump or a suction pump in order to add or drain the transmission fluid. For the vast majority of car owners, it is better to have a mechanic do it. If you have a manual transmission, the next time you have your oil changed or take your car in for other service, have your technician check the transmission fluid as well. You should still be aware of what type of manual transmission fluid your car manufacturer recommends so you can ensure that the right type is being used when you have your car serviced. Some manual transmissions use engine oil while others may just use automatic transmission fluid. Information on the proper type of manual transmission fluid and its viscosity will be noted in your car owner's manual.
Clutch Fluid
Clutch fluid is used with hydraulic clutches so not all cars will require it. Clutch fluid keeps your clutch operating smoothly and the pedal comfortable to use. Brake fluid is typically used to fill the reservoir, but check your manual for the recommendation. If you have a manual transmission, you can do a clutch fluid check when you are checking your other car fluids as part of your maintenance routine. To check clutch fluid, park on a flat service, kill the engine, set the parking brake, and pop the hood. Locate the clutch fluid reservoir. On the side of the reservoir, there may be a Full indicator mark. If there is no mark, the fluid should come up to the top of the container where the neck starts which leaves room for air, not all the way to the cap or top of the neck. If necessary, remove the cap and add the appropriate type of fluid. If the fluid is really low, you will want to check it again in a couple of days. If your clutch fluid is low again, look for moisture in the vicinity of the container and check the reservoir connections as you may have a leak.
Adding Transmission Fluid
Adding transmission fluid is pretty straightforward. Remove the dipstick, insert a clean funnel down into the dipstick tube, and slowly pour just enough transmission fluid to reach the Full line when you re-check the level. Do not overfill as doing so can blow out the seals and cause problems with the transmission pump. Automatic transmission fluid usually comes in quart (32 ounce) bottles, and even though cars can typically hold several quarts of transmission fluid, you should not need to add an entire bottle. Keep that in mind and go slowly when you add transmission fluid. You can store any leftover or have a mechanic recycle it for you.
Checking for a Transmission Fluid Leak
A transmission fluid leak is often caused by a faulty or worn gasket in your transmission. If when you check the transmission fluid, you notice it is really low or if you notice reddish pink fluid on your driveway toward the front of the vehicle, you may have a transmission fluid leak. Add more fluid and have your car serviced as soon as possible. If there is no fluid at all on the dipstick, you almost certainly have a leak and should not drive the car at all. Have the car towed to your mechanic instead.
Transmission Fluid Flush
Both manual and automatic transmissions require that you change the transmission fluid from time to time. Transmissions should be serviced every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, but there are some car makers who use transmission fluid good for 100,000 miles so make sure you check your owner's manual. If your car has over 100,000 miles on it, but you have never had the transmission fluid changed, you should not change it as it can create problems by dissolving the deposits that have formed around the seal causing leaks. When you get your transmission fluid flush done, you should have the transmission filter replaced as well. When you drain your transmission fluid, less than half is actually removed, because the majority of it is still within the transmission, but with the transmission flush machines technicians have available these days, you can get virtually all (over 90 percent) of the fluid out and replaced with clean, new transmission fluid. Take your car in for a complete transmission fluid flush according to the schedule recommended by your car maker.
Transmission Fluid Change Cost
When it comes time to have a transmission fluid change done, an obvious question is how much does a transmission fluid change cost? As with any routine maintenance work, unfortunately the answer is it depends. The total transmission fluid change cost will be based on labor, a new filter, and the new fluid. If your local auto shop uses a transmission flush machine, you can expect to be billed for an hour or so of labor, a new filter and gasket kit, and new transmission fluid. Depending on where you live and where you take your car, you could be looking at up to $200 dollars and probably no less than around $120 or so. Your itemized bill might show something like $80 for labor, $40 for the filter and gasket kit, and $25 for fluid. A dealership will likely be toward the high end of the range while a local shop you bring your car too regularly may give you a break on the labor or offer to do it for a flat fee of say $125. In general, the more auto repair shops and garages near you the better as this is not the sort of specialty work that would normally fetch top dollar. If price is an issue, toward $100 is good and toward $200 might mean trying another place.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is necessary in order to keep your transmission working problem free. A transmission fluid check should be part of your regular maintenance routine. Consult your owner's manual for information on the type of transmission fluid your car manufacturer recommends as well as their suggested service interval whether you have an automatic or a manual transmission. A low transmission fluid level often exhibits the same warning signs as more serious transmission problems so before you buy a rebuilt transmission or have a new one put in, make sure you are not paying for an expensive repair when a few dollars worth of transmission fluid is all you need.
