Your car owner’s manual will provide you with specific instructions for your type of vehicle. In general, it is simple to check the fluid in an automatic transmission system. On the other hand, the process can be slightly more difficult in a manual transmission.
To check the transmission fluid:
Automatic transmission - Usually, an automatic transmission will have a fluid dipstick that allows you to check the fluid quality and level. Make sure you don’t confuse the transmission dipstick with the crankcase dipstick (See your car owner’s manual for the exact dipstick location).
When checking the automatic transmission fluid, make sure the vehicle is parked on an even surface, the engine is warmed up and running, and the transmission is in park.
Manual transmission - Checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be slightly more complicated. Some newer vehicles now include a dipstick for the transmission fluid, but this has not yet been made a standard across all vehicles. So if you have a manual transmission vehicle and would like to check the fluid, we recommend you bring it to your closest Goodguys location. Our technicians will put your vehicle up on the lift and we can properly check it for you.
When checking your transmission fluid, keep in mind that clean fluid will be a translucent red. If your fluid level is low, top it off to bring it to the proper level. If the fluid is dark, has a burnt smell, and/or has bits of dirt or metal in it, then it needs to be changed so it can provide the proper levels of performance.