Why is my transmission fluid so thin?

It should be pretty thin and less viscous than motor oil meaning thinner than motor oil. It is normal for the transmission fluid to get a little thicker over time through use.

Why does my transmission fluid look watery?

If your transmission fluid looks like a strawberry milkshake, you've got water in the transmission. Once water gets into the transmission enough to affect operation, a rebuild is required. It doesn't take much–less than an ounce of water can cause problems.

Can transmission fluid get low without a leak?

We researched several professional sources to find out the cause. A vehicle will lose transmission fluid only when there's a leak. Because there is no combustion with this fluid, it cannot burn off or evaporate while in an air-tight space. If you are running low on this fluid, it is because of a leak.

Does transmission fluid lose its viscosity?

Comparison of traditional viscosity ATFs to newer, lower viscosity ATFs. Traditional oils exhibit shear-down, the permanent loss of viscosity during use, by as much as 2 cSt at 100C. However several OEMs specify that oil viscosity at 100C cannot fall below 5.0 or 5.5 cSt during qualification trials.

What color should transmission fluid be on the dipstick?

Healthy transmission fluid should be relatively clear or pink in color. If your transmission fluid is deep red or brown, your transmission fluid is old and most likely causing extra damage within your transmission. If it is dark brown, that is a sign you have burnt transmission fluid from overheating.

Here's Why Changing Your Transmission Fluid Can Cause Damage

Do you leave the car running when adding transmission fluid?

Your car's engine should be running when you add fluid to the transmission, but you should have the transmission in park and the handbrake activated for safety. Check the owner's manual for instructions on selecting the correct transmission fluid for your vehicle.

How do you know if transmission is bad?

What is the typical viscosity of automatic transmission fluid?

It is concluded that the current used-fluid Dexron viscosity limit of 5.5 cs minimum at 210 F provides a good safety factor for preventing excessive internal leakage at high temperatures.

Does changing transmission fluid improve performance?

Though changing transmission fluid can't fix mechanical problems, it does make for smoother shifts and can extend the life of your transmission. And even when manufacturers recommend fluid change intervals of 150,000 miles under normal conditions, it may be a good idea to change it more frequently.

What viscosity is automatic transmission oil?

Automatic Transmission

Transmission Fluid is essentially thin hydraulic oil. In order to effectively lubricate the delicate parts of the system, the viscosity of the oil is kept low - generally around 0W/5 or 5W/10.

What happens if you overfill transmission fluid?

If you overfill it, the transmission will experience hard shifting and slippage. Another consequence of overfilling your transmission is that it will cause the fluid to lose its lubricating properties. It could also lead to the entire system blowing up and not functioning.

Do you check transmission fluid warm or cold?

If you're going to be checking the transmission fluid level at home, it's a good idea to warm up the car before you do so. If the car is checked while the engine is cold, it might give an inaccurate reading when you use the dipstick. After driving for about 10 minutes, park on an even surface and leave it running.

How long will a transmission last without fluid?

Technically, the vehicle can still be driven with low to no transmission fluid for 10 to 15 miles. However, doing so will lead to transmission system failures and can damage the car permanently.

Is transmission fluid supposed to be thick?

Proper Viscosity

Your transmission fluid shouldn't be too thick or sluggish. It should be pretty thin and less viscous than motor oil meaning thinner than motor oil. It is normal for the transmission fluid to get a little thicker over time through use.

What does worn transmission fluid look like?

Good transmission fluid is clear or pink-tinted. If it's a deep red or brown color, then it is old and dirty. You need to replace the transmission fluid to avoid any damage to your transmission.

Can you mix old transmission fluid with new?

This fluid starts to lose its standard properties and should be changed to keep the transmission parts and its performance at its peak. Mixing old and news fluids wont give you the ideal viscosity and the reduces the performance of the transmission system.

Why does my transmission slip after fluid change?

If the valve body gets all gunked up with transmission fluid that's damaged, the driver could lose the ability to shift between gears. And that's why so many people believe that changing old transmission fluid can cause it to slip.

Can the transmission be damaged by changing the transmission fluid?

Particles and debris are flushed out when you change the fluid on a vehicle. If you don't ever drain your transmission fluid, these will remain circulating in the transmission. Although they may not damage the transmission itself, they actually allow the transmission to shift properly as the miles accumulate.

How often should the transmission fluid be changed?

If you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you have automatic, you can typically boost that range up to 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's no harm in changing your fluid early.

Can you mix ATF and gear oil?

The volume of the oils that have been mixed together will be key. For example, if you mixed 1 gallon of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) with 300 gallons of gear oil from the same mineral group, the dilution would hardly be noticeable.

Are all transmission fluids the same?

Automatic transmission fluids have specific viscosities, friction coefficients, and additives. ATFs are engineered to work with the design of specific automatic transmissions. They are not all the same.

How do I know if my transmission filter is clogged?

Is it cheaper to rebuild or replace a transmission?

A transmission replace is the most expensive option when fixing your transmission. In many cases you will hear this referred to as “re-manufactured.” Basically, the manufacturer will replace parts that have gone bad with modified parts. This is an option if the transmission is too damaged to even consider a rebuild.

Can bad spark plugs cause transmission problems?

Replacing the spark plugs eliminates the misfire, and improves the car's performance. This is just one example of how a seemingly unrelated condition can appear to be a transmission problem.