Most car owners are aware that periodic maintenance, such as oil changes and tire replacement, is required to maintain their vehicle roadworthy. However, you should keep an eye on your automatic transmission—you know, the one with the gears that you shift into drive, reverse, and park numerous times during the day. Keeping your gearbox in good working order may save you money since it's one of the costliest parts of your automobile to fix or replace.

Thankfully, testing the condition of your transmission isn't as complicated, time-consuming, or expensive as you would assume. Here's how to do it.

Examining the Fluid

Sinopeconline says automatic transmissions require specially formulated transmission fluid in the same way that your engine uses oil to lubricate and cool its internals. Transmission fluid is used differently in conventional automatic gearboxes, dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and continuously variable automatic transmissions. Consult your owner's handbook if you're not sure which fluid your transmission uses; transmission-fluid needs are usually stated in the specifications section.
You don't need to be a technician to examine the condition of your vehicle's gearbox; a quick visual inspection will suffice. You'll need to check your transmission fluid level and condition.

Look for the Dipstick.

To begin, find the gearbox dipstick in the engine compartment, which may be located beneath the hood. Make sure you're looking for the transmission dipstick, not the engine oil dipstick; the transmission dipstick is normally closer to the firewall in the engine compartment, the bulkhead at the front of the cabin. The transmission dipstick is usually colored or marked with a transmission symbol.

Don't panic if you can't locate the dipstick. Many current automobiles feature a sealed-for-life gearbox that never needs to be checked or replaced, therefore there is no need for a dipstick. Check your owner's handbook for your model's exact service schedule, as well as whether or not it has a transmission dipstick.

You may slam the hood down and drive if your car has a sealed gearbox. If your car does, however, have a gearbox dipstick, follow these steps:

Examine the Level

Allow the vehicle to idle in park on a flat surface after the engine has warmed up. Draw out the dipstick, clean it, carefully reinstall it, and then pull it out again. Compare the fluid level—how high the fluid rises on the dipstick—to the dipstick's "full" and "low" or "fill" indications.

Condition of Fluidity

To examine the color of the fluid, place the dipstick on a white surface, such as a paper towel. The color of your transmission fluid—and, to a degree, the transmission itself—indicates the state of your transmission. If your fluid is in good shape, it should be reddish-pink in color; if it has to be replaced, it will be brownish red. If the fluid is dark brown or black, there's a good chance you'll have to replace more than just your fluid.

Dark fluid with a burned odor is bad news; in the worst-case scenario, small metal shavings may be found in the fluid. Both of these symptoms indicate that your transmission's internal components may have been damaged. This is frequently the consequence of neglecting to replace the transmission fluid at the required service period, but a transmission, like any other component on the vehicle, might have a premature mechanical problem

Is there a shortage of fluid?

If your fluid level is low, it doesn't necessarily mean you're doomed, but it does indicate that there's a leak somewhere in the system. Filling the gearbox with gas and monitoring it regularly to see how rapidly the level drops may help determine the severity of a possible leak. Visually examine your gearbox by searching beneath the vehicle for any fluid leaking from it. Is there any crimson fluid on the ground after the automobile has been parked? It's engine oil if the fluid is black. If there's water on the floor, it's most likely condensation from the air conditioner.

If you detect any transmission fluid loss or that your transmission is utilizing an unusual quantity of fluid, get in touch with a professional right once. As a first step, we suggest visiting a reliable auto dealer that sells and repairs your vehicle. Its service department will have the greatest knowledge with your make and model and may have already encountered this problem. Allow the automobile to sit until it can be examined if you have the luxury of doing so.

A transmission-fluid replacement, contrary to what some online mechanics may claim, will not ruin an older vehicle's aged transmission. When a gearbox experiences problems following fluid replacement, it's usually because there was an internal issue, such as a worn clutch pack. If your gearbox is in good shape, a new fluid replacement will only help it last longer.

If your transmission fluid is low and needs to be topped up, you may typically do it using the same tube that the dipstick goes into. A funnel with a narrow—and most likely long—spout will be required to add fluid.

Final words

A transmission, like any other equipment, requires regular maintenance to function as intended by the manufacturer. Take care of your transmission, and it will take care of you, as the saying goes. Check your car's owner's manual to see which fluid you should use. The gearbox might be damaged if you use the improper fluid to top it up. In some smaller automatic transmissions, such as those used in BL automobiles, the transmission fluid is the same as the engine oil and is extracted from the same sump. Keep the fluid level on the dipstick at the full mark. Overfilling the container might cause it to overheat. Overheating may occur when the sump and ventilation grilles on the torque-converter housing get clogged or mud-covered. At each service, inspect and clean them.