How To Check Your Transmission Fluid

Here’s one of the most frequent questions we hear from drivers in Madison: How often do you check your transmission fluid, and why is it important? Checking your car’s transmission fluid is a vital part of good auto maintenance! Consistently checking your oil, tire treads, and transmission at home will alert you when your car needs attention between regularly scheduled maintenance, and keep you driving safe in Madison. Your budget will benefit, too: at-home checks can catch mechanical problems before they can turn into costly repairs.

Learn how to check your transmission fluid in the guide below, and don’t hesitate to call Music City Autoplex with any further car-care questions!

How To Check Your Transmission Fluid: Step-by-Step

1. Start the engine and let it warm up. Wait at least 5 minutes — you won’t be able to make take an accurate gauge of fluid levels unless the engine is warmed up!
2. Locate the transmission fluid dipstick. On most front-wheel-drive cars, you can usually locate it just to the right of the oil dipstick. Refer to your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
3. Inspect the transmission fluid. Remove the dipstick and touch the fluid. Moving it around between your thumb and forefinger and look carefully at the color of the fluid: it should be nearly clear, with a slight pink color. If the fluid appears dirty or you pick up a burnt smell, you should book an appointment at your Nashville-area service center for a transmission fluid replacement.
4. Fluid look good? Here’s how to check your transmission fluid: Clean off the dipstick with a rag andinsert the clean dipstick back into the fluid reservoir. Then pull it out and check the fluid level. If the transmission fluid hasn’t reached the “Full” marking on the dipstick, it’s time to add more.
5. Refill the fluid reservoir. Use a funnel to add fluid a little at a time, rechecking until the reservoir is full. Be careful not to overfill!

Unsure about refilling your transmission fluid at home? Not all Clarksville drivers are comfortable performing maintenance themselves, but our team is here to help! Stop by our service center near Hendersonville to have a professional take care of your vehicle’s transmission fluid refill.

How Often Should You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

Experts recommend checking the level of transmission and other important automotive fluids at least once per month — but how often should you check your transmission fluid if your typical driving circumstances are rougher than average? If you often drive long distances, on difficult terrain, or on sandy, dusty, or gravel roads, it’s worth checking fluid levels (plus engine and cabin filters) more frequently. Additional automotive fluids to keep an eye on include transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, and engine oil.

Madison Drivers Rely on Music City Autoplex for Expert Service

At-home checks can catch mechanical problems early: check tire treads and battery health regularly, and schedule service when your car needs attention. Why trust Music City Autoplex for more information about routine service? Our goal is for you to keep your used car, truck, or SUV running great for many years to come! We’d also love to help you learn how to clean leather car seats or learn more about water leaking from under your car and what can be done to fix it.