How to Check and Add Fluid to Your Automatic Transmission

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Your car's automatic transmission system is one of several hydraulic systems in your car. To maintain your system, you must check the transmission fluid periodically to make sure there is enough fluid of sufficient quality available for your transmission to perform correctly. Here's how to check and add fluid to your automatic transmission system.

Steps

1. 1
   Park your car on a level surface with the engine running. You may want to shift the transmission briefly through each of its gear settings before putting it in park.

   
   
2. 2
   Raise the hood.
3. 3
   Find the automatic transmission fluid pipe. On many newer cars, the transmission fluid pipe will be labeled; if not, consult your owner's manual for its location.
4. 4
   Pull out the transmission fluid dipstick. Wipe the dipstick on a clean rag or paper towel, reinsert it and pull it out again to check the transmission fluid level. The fluid level should be between two marks labeled either "Full" and "Add" or "Hot" and "Cold."
   • Usually, you should not have to add transmission fluid. If the level is down significantly below the "Add" or "Cold" line, you probably have a system leak and should take the car to your mechanic.
5. 5
   Check the condition of the transmission fluid. Good automatic transmission fluid is usually red (although sometimes pink or light brown) in color, without bubbles or odor. If any of the following conditions are true, take your car in for servicing.
   • If the transmission fluid is a discolored brown and/or smells like burnt toast, the fluid has boiled itself into uselessness and can no longer dissipate the heat the transmission generates. The fluid can be tested further by putting some on a clean paper towel and waiting 30 seconds to see if it spreads. If it does not, the fluid must be changed immediately, or the transmission itself will suffer serious damage.
   • If the transmission fluid looks milky brown, it has been contaminated by coolant from the radiator through a leak in the automatic transmission fluid cooler. Take the car to your mechanic at once.
   • If the transmission fluid is either foamy or bubbly, there is too much fluid in the cylinder, the wrong type of transmission fluid has been used or the engine has a plugged transmission vent.
6. 6
   Add transmission fluid, if necessary. Add the fluid a little at a time, rechecking the level periodically, until it is at the correct level.

   
   

Tips

• Always use the kind of transmission fluid specified by your car's manufacturer for your make and model.
• Check your owner's manual for when your automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed. If you routinely drive through mountains or tow heavy trailers, you will have to have the fluid changed more frequently. Whenever you have your transmission fluid changed, the automatic transmission fluid filter must also be changed.

Warnings

• If you see red, oily fluid on your driveway, your transmission fluid is leaking. If you suspect leakage but can't see it, place white butcher paper under your car so you can seek the leakage better.

Things You'll Need

• Automatic transmission fluid
• Funnel designed to fit in the transmission fluid pipe
• Rag or paper towel

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