How to Check Transmission Fluid

Understanding how to check your transmission fluid on a regular basis will help you prevent bad maintenance issues from coming up in the future. San Gabriel drivers who know how to check transmission fluid at home and the answer to “how often do you check your transmission fluid?” will benefit from lower maintenance costs down the road. To learn more, read on, and to get your fluids checked by the pros, schedule service with New Century BMW today!

Checking Transmission Fluid: Step-by-Step Guide

Simply follow these steps:

1. Turn the engine on for a few minutes to warm it up. This is essential to the process. Ensure your car is in park before you get out and open the hood.
2. Find the transmission fluid dipstick. On FWD cars, you’ll find it to the right of the oil dipstick. Check your owner’s manual if you can’t find it.
3. Remove the dipstick and swish the fluid around between your thumb and your forefinger. The fluid should be almost clear, with a pink hue. If it looks dirty or gives off a weird smell, it’s time for a change.
4. Use a rag to wipe off the dipstick. Then, insert it back into the vehicle. Pull it out, then check the level. If it’s under the “Full” marking or not inside a marked area, you’ll need to add more.
5. Use a funnel to bring the fluid back up to the right spot. Be sure not to overfill it.

Checking the Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

If you don’t see a dipstick under the hood, chances are your car is equipped with a sealed transmission. If you see this arrangement under the hood, don’t try to check the fluid yourself because it might damage the vehicle. Instead, come have a chat with our team and we’ll get you back on the road.

How Often Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

You should check the main fluid levels of your car monthly. This includes your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and engine oil. If you want more information, it’s best to check your owner’s manual.

Rely on New Century BMW For All Your Service Needs

We’d love to help you get back on the road or just answer your questions about properly maintaining your vehicle. If you’re ready to get started, we don’t blame you! Check out our service specials today to get started.

Service Specials at New Century BMW