What Is Transmission Fluid?
The fluid keeps components from causing too much friction and overheating the transmission. Additionally, transmission works to lubricate your gears and help them shift smoothly.
Depending on your driving habits and the type of transmission with which your vehicle is equipped, manufacturers’ recommendations can be as few as 30,000 miles or as many as 80,000 miles. Waiting too long between changes is very harmful for your transmission and it is wise to check your owner’s manual or with your local AAMCO for the proper time and mileage intervals and the type of fluids your vehicle requires
We are the transmission experts and can perform a vehicle courtesy check to check the conditions of your transmission and fluid levels.
Related: AAMCO Transmission Services
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Checking Your Transmission Fluid
A few key things to remember is that unlike an oil check, your car should be running and the transmission fluid should be hot. Check for the transmission fluid dipstick usually located a little farther back in the engine compartment under the ood. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean, place it back in and remove it. Check the levels by looking at the markings on the dipstick and if the fluid is hot, it should come up to the marking indicating “Hot” or “Warm”.
If the fluid is coming up short, your fluid may be low. It’s also important to check the color of the fluid. It should normally be pink or red in color but if it’s brown or black it can be very dirty or even burnt. If it smells burnt then this can be an indicator that something is amiss.
If you suspect your transmission fluid needs a flush, AAMCO Louisville offers a transmission fluid maintenance to flush out all the old transmission fluid and replace it with new fluid. Schedule an appointment today.
What To Look For In Transmission Fluid?
Red/Pink Color
Transmission fluid should be a red or pink color. If the transmission fluid is a brown or black color this can indicate that the fluid is very dirty due to age or could be burnt due to your transmission overheating. If your transmission fluid doesn’t look right to you, contact your trusted mechanic to take a look and make sure everything is in working order. Additionally, making sure that the correct type of transmission fluid is used for your car is important or else it can lead to poor efficiency and driveability.
If you suspect that your transmission fluid isn’t quite right, schedule an appointment today with AAMCO Louisville. We’ll properly diagnose and repair any transmission issues in your vehicle.
Related: AAMCO CVT Services and Repairs
Sweet Odor
Transmission fluid smells almost like petroleum or has a somewhat sweet scent. If you detect a burning smell coming from your transmission fluid, this is an indicator that your transmission fluid is too hot and burning off. Additionally, fluid can burn if the transmission fluid is low or leaking. An overheating transmission can eventually lead to multiple issues such as transmission failure or poor performance.
If your transmission fluid smells like it’s burning, bring it into your local AAMCO Louisville. We are offering a free multi point inspection to examine each part of your transmission.
Fluid Thickness
Transmission fluid is typically thinner than motor oil and shouldn’t be thick or else it won’t properly flow through your transmission and cool it effectively. If you find that the fluid is almost sludge-like in consistency there could be too much dirt and debris clogging the fluid. Retroactively, if the fluid is way too thin, it won’t properly coat the transmission and could be a sign that water or condensation got into the fluid.
If your transmission fluid doesn’t appear normal to you, it’s best not to wait on it and have bigger problems on your hands later. AAMCO Louisville can assist with all your transmission repair needs and properly assess the health of your transmission fluid.
AAMCO Louisville Is Here For Your Transmission Repairs
Schedule an appointment today at your nearest AAMCO learn more about transmission services and transmission fluid from our certified transmission specialists. If your transmission fluid appears irregular or you just want to be on top of your regular car maintenance, don’t hesitate to bring your car to our expert mechanics. We have the knowledge and experience in transmission repairs to get your car back out on the road in time
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