Tech & Auto
Want To Properly Check Your Car's Transmission Fluid Level? Here's How You Do It
By CHRIS LITTLECHILD
Without transmission fluid, your car's gears could essentially grind to a halt. If you suspect an issue, go to your mechanic but in the meantime, you can check the fluid levels yourself.
With your vehicle safely parked and your engine running, extract the specific dipstick from your vehicle's transmission: you'll typically find it near the firewall under the hood.
If the fluid is within the levels shown on the dipstick, you may be done. If it's beneath them, a top-up or flush could be in order; the same if the fluid is gritty or dark.
You can repeat the process after giving the dipstick a quick clean to double-check your results. Once you're sure of the reading, put the dipstick back and shut off your car.
To add extra transmission fluid, you can simply use a funnel while the dipstick is removed. If the fluid is dirty or gritty, though, adding more could simply dilute the problem.