With talk of a recession and people trying to save money everywhere, letting your car’s fluids go unchecked is an option you just can’t afford. But many people are unaware of the best way to check fluids or even what to look for when they do check. If you own a Ford or another vehicle you’d like to keep for many years, preventative maintenance is essential to keep it running smoothly and prevent damage. Here are some tips for checking your transmission fluid so you’ll know exactly what you’re doing.
• Know what type of transmission fluid your vehicle uses. This might sound odd, but manual transmissions use a different kind than an automatic transmission. Check your owner’s manual to be sure which one your vehicle uses.
• For most vehicles, it’s best to check the transmission fluid while the engine is warm and running. Other vehicles require the engine to be turned off.
• Find the transmission fluid dipstick. Usually, it’s toward the back of the engine nearest the windshield, but every car is different.
• Pull the dipstick out and check the fluid level. There should be markings near the bottom of the dipstick to indicate where the operating level is and whether fluid needs to be added.
• Pull the dipstick out again to make sure your first reading was accurate.
• Wipe the dipstick onto a white piece of paper or paper towel. For most vehicles, it should be reddish and semi-transparent.
• Inspect for possible warning signs that could damage your transmission, including black flakes, black color or a burning smell. Take the vehicle to your nearest certified Ford dealer immediately as these could cause serious problems if not quickly addressed.
If your transmission fluid is low, you could have a leak. Transmission fluid doesn’t “burn” like oil does, so leaking is about the only way you could lose fluid over time.
• Add fluid in small amounts with a funnel. Keep checking the level to make sure you have the ideal level for operation.
Look for more tips this week to help prevent any unnecessary damage to your vehicle.
