giving up on your old reliable vehicle

giving up on your old reliable vehicle

How To Tell If Your Vehicle's Transmission Fluid Is Low

Glen Soto

As a car owner, you may find yourself so busy that you forget to to monitor your transmission fluid regularly. Sadly, you are only reminded when your car begins exhibiting different problems such as increased transmission temperature, slipping fluids, transmission failure, and dragging. The good thing is that you can configure weekly reminders on your phone to know when to check the fluid level, and below are simple steps for finding out if the transmission fluid is low.

Step 1: Get a dipstick

Virtually all vehicles come outfitted with one, so if you misplaced or lost yours, you can buy one at most automotive stores. It's a handy tool that every car owner must have in their vehicles. If you don't know how to locate yours, use your car's manual to determine the location of the transmission system. Your dipstick should be there.

Step 2: Park your car, and pull the dipstick

For any vehicle procedure, safety comes first. This is important to you as well as the people and property that are proximal to your car. Place the gearshift in neutral and ensure that the parking brake is activated. Confirm that your engine is warm before pulling the dipstick out. Leave the engine running.

Step 3: Test the fluid

Put a drop of transmission fluid on your index finger and rub the finger against your thumb. If you sense the presence of particles in the fluid, then you may need an oil change. Confirm this by checking the color of the oil; it should be clear and pinkish. If it appears burnt and smells, you unquestionably need an oil change.

Step 4: Wipe the stick, and dip it again

Use a clean, lint-free rag to wipe the dipstick and reinsert it into the transmission. Pull it out to check the level of the fluid. If the fluid is clean but doesn't hit the "Full" mark, use a funnel to add adequate fluid, but don't overfill. Additionally, ensure to use a fluid that is recommended for your system. Having sufficient fluid helps to eliminate some of the persistent transmission problems.

If you find that your transmission fluid is low, you could fill it yourself according to your vehicle's manual. However, if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself or you find that the problem with your transmission is not with the fluid level, you may want to take it to a transmission repair shop to have your vehicle inspected.

For more information, contact Karry's Automotive Service Center or a similar location.


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giving up on your old reliable vehicle

When do you call it quits on your old car? The car that you once referred to as "old reliable" might not be the reliable vehicle that it once was. You may be able to make the repairs as often as they need to be made, but think about how much you are spending on making those repairs. This blog is filled with tips that can help you decide if it is time to let go of the car that you love and replace it with something that will keep you going when you need it to get you there with no problems.

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