Keeping Your Chevy’s Transmission in Good Health
Your transmission plays an important role in keeping your Chevy vehicle running smoothly and safely. Like many parts in your car, it relies on a specially-created fluid that helps keep all the parts and pieces of your transmission working in harmony to help you efficiently shift gears to keep up with traffic.
What Is Transmission Fluid?
First, you should know that there is not a single universal type of transmission fluid. In fact, there’s a very big difference between manual and automatic transmissions (that being gear oil versus automatic transmission fluid). Still, the main purpose of transmission fluid is lubricating the bearings, gears, and other metal parts within your gearbox. It also serves to maintain friction levels in your clutch and brake band, while keeping all the parts and pieces cool and moving freely.
How Do I Check My Transmission Fluid?
For many newer Chevrolet vehicles, it is not necessary to check the transmission fluid—only to change it at the recommended service interval described in the owner’s manual. If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, you’ll need to access the plug in the transmission itself, which generally requires having the vehicle on a lift. For those with an automatic transmission, the transmission fluid dipstick is easily accessed by popping open the hood. The position of your transmission fluid dipstick varies, depending on whether your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, so you may want to consult your owner’s manual for the exact location. Some models aren’t equipped with a transmission fluid dipstick, and for those, you’ll want to consult a certified Chevy service technician like our service team at Chevy of Homewood.
To check your transmission fluid, the general procedure is as follows:
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- Start your engine and let it run.
- Place your vehicle in neutral or park, and make sure the parking brake is on.
- With the engine still running, remove the transmission fluid dipstick.
- Observe the color, consistency, and smell of the fluid.
- Clean the dipstick, then dip it back in the reservoir.
- If your transmission fluid is at the right level, the fluid will reach the “FULL” line on the dipstick.
Note: Some models may require a different procedure, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual.
What Should I Look For?
If your transmission fluid does not reach the “FULL” line on the dipstick, that means you’re running low on transmission fluid. You can refill your transmission fluid yourself, but always make sure you’re using the correct type for your car (which can be found in your Chevy owner’s manual). And, if you have to refill your transmission fluid, that likely means that there is a leak or larger concern that should be addressed by a certified Chevrolet technician.
Automatic transmission fluid should be runny, with a faint pink/red color, though some brands use different colors to designate the different types they sell. It should not be dark, sticky, or smell burnt.
Signs You Should Check Your Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid doesn’t need to be maintenanced as frequently as motor oil, but it’s still very important to maintain a healthy level of clean fluid. Most auto manufacturers recommend regular transmission flushes to remove all residue that may have accumulated from daily driving and refill the reservoir with new, clean fluid.
If your transmission fluid is too low or has accumulated too much debris, you’ll notice a decline in your car’s performance. You may hear loud noises when you attempt to accelerate, or strange interruptions in how your vehicle changes gears. You might notice a delay in shifting or a revving sound as you go around corners.
Checking your transmission fluid is a process you can do at home to make sure your transmission has all the clean lubricant it needs to keep you on the road. However, you can always rely on your friendly expert service specialists at Chevrolet of Homewood to keep your car in great condition, whether it’s time for your regular transmission flush, or other regular maintenance. Visit us at 18033 S Halsted St in Homewood, IL to take care of all of your maintenance needs, or schedule service online now.