How to Check Transmission Fluid

Oil is to your engine as transmission fluid is to your transmission. If you don’t stay on top of regular Chevy transmission fluid changes, the hundreds of moving parts in your transmission will wear each other down, and your transmission will fail. In most cases, a failed transmission will total your car. So, how often do you check your transmission fluid? And how do you check its levels to ensure you’re properly topped off?

At Stingray Chevrolet, we’re here to show our neighbors in Lakeland everything they need to know about how to check transmission fluid and how often to top it off. Take a moment to learn more, and if you find you need help along the way, explore our service specials and schedule a service appointment with our mechanics in Plant City!

How Often Do You Check Your Transmission Fluid?

First off, let’s address how often to change your Chevy transmission fluid. Transmissions can vary, so it’s important to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual in order to determine the proper intervals. It’s also important to check your transmission fluids each month to ensure that your reservoir doesn’t have leaks and that your transmission fluid is healthy.

Your Step-By-Step Guide on How to Check Transmission Fluid

Now let’s take a look at how Valrico drivers can perform their own transmission fluid checks. The steps are as follows:

1. First things first, put your car in park and turn your engine on for 5 minutes to warm it up. Transmission fluid needs to be warmed up to the right viscosity before you can accurately read its levels. Once it’s warmed up, pop the hood.
2. The transmission fluid reservoir can be in a variety of places, depending on which vehicle you drive. In FWD cars, it’s usually next to the oil tank. If you can’t find it, consult your owner’s manual or bring your vehicle into our garage. Once you’ve located it, identify the transmission fluid dipstick attached to it and remove it.
3. Submerge the dipstick into the Chevy transmission fluid, and then, pull it out and examine the fluid. It should have a pinkish hue, but be mostly clear. If it smells or looks burnt, take it into our garage for a replacement.
4. Once you’ve inspected the health of the fluid, wipe it off the dipstick with a rag and reinsert the dipstick into the reservoir as far as it can go. Then, pull the dipstick out.
5. The dipstick will have markings indicating what level the transmission fluid is at. If the wetness on the dipstick reaches anything under the “Full” notch, top off your transmission fluid using a funnel.

On another note, if your owner’s manual has indicated that you have a sealed transmission, all transmission fluid changes must be done by a certified mechanic. That said, you can typically identify transmission fluid levels digitally via your driver’s display. A few signs that you need to change your fluid include: hearing strange noises when shifting gears, hesitation in gear shifts, and delayed shifting when acceleration on Brandon streets!

Checking the Fluid in a Sealed Transmission

If there’s no dipstick under the hood, chances are your car is equipped with a sealed transmission. You may be wondering, “What is a sealed transmission?” Sealed doesn’t mean “can’t be accessed” — it simply means there’s no dipstick with which you can measure the transmission fluid level. If your car has a sealed transmission, don’t attempt to check its fluid level; you may damage it as a result. Our service team will gladly check the transmission fluid level when you bring your car in for service.

Are You In Need of a Chevy Transmission Fluid Change?

You’ve read about how to check your transmission fluid and how often to change your transmission fluid. If you find yourself in need of a transmission fluid change or maintenance, call the Stingray Chevrolet service center in Plant City at (813) 704-2102 for help. We look forward to introducing you to our professional, efficient, and affordable service team!