How to Check Transmission Fluid

By checking your transmission fluid on a regular basis you can help prevent maintenance issues before they become serious. Your car’s transmission is integral to propelling it forward, and maintaining it ensures you don’t have any serious problems on Kenosha roads. Part of that maintenance is checking transmission fluid. Don’t know how to check transmission fluid? Don’t worry. You can learn how from the Honda of Kenosha service center below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Transmission Fluid

It’s easy to learn how to check transmission fluid. Just follow these steps:

1. Before you start, turn the engine on for a few minutes. A warmed up engine is necessary to properly check the level. You also want to make sure your car is in park before getting out and opening the hood.
2. Then, find your vehicle’s transmission fluid dipstick. It’s usually located to the right of the oil dipstick on front-wheel-drive cars. If you can’t find it, your owner’s manual can help.
3. Remove the dipstick and touch the fluid, moving it around between your thumb and forefinger. The fluid should be nearly clear, with a pink hue. If it looks dirty or gives off a burnt smell, schedule service at our service center near Pleasant Prairie.
4. Wipe off the dipstick with a rag and insert it back into the vehicle. Pull the dipstick out again to check the level. If the level is under the “Full” marking, add more transmission fluid.
5. Get a funnel and pour in fluid till it reaches the right spot. Be sure not to overfill your transmission.

Contact us with any questions if you run into any issues. Honda of Kenosha is proud to provide service to customers from Racine and beyond.

Checking Transmission Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

If you have a sealed transmission, there will be no dipstick under the hood. A sealed transmission doesn’t mean your transmission can’t be accessed; it just means that there is no dipstick. If you have a sealed transmission, attempting to check its fluid level could damage your vehicle. Instead, our service team will check the transmission fluid level when you bring your vehicle in for service.

How Often Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid in a Sealed Transmission?

A sealed transmission limits the amount of wasted transmission fluid, saving you money. However, issues can still spring up and the fluid will need to be replaced eventually. These red flags indicate a problem with your sealed transmission:

• There are strange noises when you change gears.
• The gears hesitate before changing.
• There’s a noticeable delay when the gears shift during acceleration.

How Often Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

It’s good practice to check the main fluid levels of your car monthly. Those fluids include your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and engine oil. Your owner’s manual will contain a more specific maintenance schedule.

Honda of Kenosha Can Handle All Your Service Needs

Our service tips and tricks can help you with many of your service needs, but you can rely on our service center in Bristol for anything you can’t fix yourself. Be sure to check our service specials to get a great deal as well!