How to check your transmission fluid

STEP 1

Read your owner's manual - it's there for a reason.

Follow the instructions for checking your transmission fluid levels.

STEP 2

Make sure your vehicle is on level ground.

STEP 3

Warm up the engine with a quick drive.

Shift the transmission through all gears - bringing the engine to a good operating temperature.

STEP 4

Put the vehicle in PARK.

Pop the hood and pull out the dipstick - make sure the vehicle is still running.

STEP 5

Wipe the dipstick with a clean, lint-free rag. Reinsert it and pull it out again.

When you first pull out the dipstick, the fluid should be red/pink toned.

STEP 6

Change the fluid if it is very dark or milky.

You don’t want it to smell burnt, or contain any particles.

STEP 7

If you check the transmission fluid and it's "clear", but doesn't reach the "full" line on the dipstick, use a funnel.

Pour in just enough fluid down the dipstick tube to reach the line - be careful not to overfill.

STEP 8

Return the dipstick to the holding tube and push it all the way back down the tube.

STEP 9

Double check the dipstick to ensure you’ve filled the transmission to the correct level.