Your automobile has different fluids for different purposes. The transmission fluid, or oil as some people like to call it, works to protect the transmission parts. It lubricates the parts to ensure you always have smooth and easy gear shifts. Signs your transmission fluid is low include leaks outside of your vehicle and rough, noisy shifting. Low transmission fluid can damage the transmission but that isn’t the only sign of trouble. Central Auto Care explains that the color of the oil can also indicate a serious problem.
Healthy Transmission Fluid
Healthy transmission fluid that is protecting the transmission effectively is bright red and translucent; you can see through the crimson-colored oil. This fluid is viscous and is capable of protecting the inner workings of your vehicle’s transmission for miles to come. If the fluid is red or turning light brown, it is still healthy. Light brown fluid means the transmission oil is aging, so you should plan to have it changed soon, but it is still effective in protecting the transmission and doesn’t need to be flushed immediately.
Transmission Fluid That Needs Changing
If your vehicle’s transmission fluid is brown, dark brown, or black, you’re heading into trouble. As the fluid ages, it loses its viscosity, which means it is no longer protecting transmission parts. Aging transmission fluid also begins to oxidize, which can damage the parts. Finally, brown, dark brown, or black fluid is contaminated and as it circulates through the transmission, it deposits that contamination, usually dirt and grime, onto the moving gears and other parts. Change the fluid ASAP!
Serious Transmission Trouble
Your transmission connects to your radiator via composite aluminum or metal transmission cooling lines. These lines push hot transmission fluid through the radiator to cool it down. Your transmission is located on the bottom of your automobile, which means these lines can be damaged by road debris and weather. If any part of the cooling lines or connection between the transmission and radiator cracks, you’ll end up with pink transmission fluid and a huge problem beyond changing the fluid.
Pink transmission fluid is a mixture of transmission fluid and engine coolant. This not only destroys your transmission but also dilutes the coolant. Before you know it, you could have an overheating car and a mountain of engine troubles. In fact, this fluid combination could destroy your engine completely, so let Central Auto Care in Okotoks, AB, service your transmission regularly.