6 Facts About Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is important. Without transmission fluid, your vehicle won’t move. If you have an insufficient amount of transmission fluid, you’re going to have problems. To avoid transmission problems, there are a few things you should know about transmission fluid. Here are six facts about transmission fluid.

 1). Transmission Fluid is Automatic Transmission Fluid

The term “transmission fluid” is actually a shorthand for “automatic transmission fluid”. When we talk about transmission fluid and how it works, we are speaking specifically of automatic transmission vehicles. Standard transmission vehicles use a variety of different transmission fluids mostly a heaver consistency. 

 2). You Should Check your Transmission Fluid

There is no transmission problem that cannot be caused or exacerbated by an insufficient level of transmission fluid. If you don’t have enough transmission fluid in your vehicle, you’re going to have problems. That is why if you see patches of reddish liquid underneath where your vehicle was just parked, you should bring your vehicle to a mister transmission shop as soon as possible to reseal any transmission leaks. Furthermore, you should get your transmission fluid levels checked regularly.

 3). Quantity and Quality

When you check your transmission fluid levels, don’t just check for the quantity of transmission fluid you have. Check the quality of your transmission fluid, as well. Burned or otherwise damaged transmission fluid can be just as bad for your transmission as low levels of fluid. Damaged transmission fluid also suggests there is something wrong with your transmission such that it is damaging your fluid, so if you see damaged fluid, bring your transmission in for inspection.

How can you tell if your transmission fluid is damaged? Transmission fluid in good working order will have a clear, reddish hue and be odorless. The more opaque your fluid, the worse your damage. If your transmission fluid has an unpleasant smell, that is another bad sign.

 4). The Type of Transmission Fluid Matters

There are many different types of transmission fluids out there. Each is better suited for certain transmissions than they are others. Always check your vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations to get the best transmission fluid for your vehicle.

 5). Synthetic Transmissions

Synthetic transmission fluid has changed the game somewhat. Synthetic transmission fluids are superior to more traditional types of transmission fluid. This is true specifically for newer vehicles. Unless you’re driving a particularly old vehicle, it will probably require you to use a synthetic transmission fluid.

 6). Transmission Service

Transmission flushes are necessary when you have a significant amount of damaged transmission fluid in your transmission. But what about otherwise? Are regular transmission services necessary? The answer is: yes. You can’t expect to drive your vehicle forever with the same transmission fluid. But whether your fluid needs to be serviced every 50,000 km or every 150,000 km depends on your vehicle, its age, how often you drive it, where you drive it, and other factors. That’s why it’s best to consult a mister transmission expert.