What Color Is Transmission Fluid?

You’ll need to perform a slight bit of maintenance on your vehicle’s transmission if you own one with an internal combustion engine. Transmission fluid is vital to the transmission’s operation, and the transmission is an intricate, complex, and key part of your vehicle’s engine. If there are any problems with the transmission, it could cause a major headache for you because they are expensive to repair. That’s why you need to know about your transmission fluid.

When you’re checking your transmission fluid, it’s important to know what color transmission fluid is. That gives you the opportunity to check for signs of a serious problem and if there is fluid leaking from underneath your vehicle’s engine. 

So what’s the color of transmission fluid? Learn more about transmission fluid colors, the importance of this fluid, and why you need to know about it thanks to our service team, making sure your vehicle runs smoothly on Stephenville and Brownwood roads.

Transmission Fluid Color Guide

A brand-new transmission fluid’s color is dark red and translucent. There are no particles in it, and light should pass through the fluid. Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that helps your transmission work properly. As transmission fluid ages due to regular use, mileage on your vehicle, and everyday driving over the years due to the heat generated in the transmission. The color will darken eventually. However, a darker color could also be contaminants getting past a malfunctioning or faulty transmission filter. Discover our helpful color guide for transmission fluid to determine if you need to change your vehicle’s transmission fluid or if something else is wrong.

See more here:

• Brand-new fluid: Dark red and translucent
• Normal: Darker brick red
• Service your vehicle soon: Deep blood red/rust red and opaque
• Service your vehicle immediately: Burnt/almost black 

Red Fluid Leaking From a Car: What Does It Mean?

Should you notice a red fluid leaking from your engine, it probably indicates a transmission fluid leak. A few other ways to identify a transmission fluid leak, in addition to the red color, are

• Odor: Transmission fluid usually smells like petroleum. If the fluid needs to be changed, it will smell burnt.
• Consistency: Transmission fluid will look and feel oily and slick like engine oil or brake fluid. Even if it is an opaque and rusty red color, it still has a slick feel.
• Location of the Leak: Transmission fluid tends to leak in front of the car from the middle part of the engine compartment. 

Get Ahead of Transmission Problems

Keep the following tips in mind to prevent possible problems with your vehicle’s transmission: 

• Choose the Right Transmission Fluid: With more advanced automatic transmission systems available, it’s important to make sure you use the correct automatic transmission fluid and genuine OEM parts when servicing it, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Follow Your Owner’s Manual: Consult your owner’s manual to see what transmission fluid to use. See the recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle. It’s probably a good idea to bring your vehicle in for service to make sure this service is taken care of properly. 
• Keep Up with Transmission Service: Regularly scheduled transmission servicecan help catch issues before they become severe. Your local authorized dealership, like Bayer Auto Group, will know when to inspect and replace transmission components or perform a transmission flush. Typically, you don’t need to worry about transmission fluid changes until 20,000 or 30,000 miles, but it depends on your make, model, year, and driving conditions. Many modern vehicles will indicate to you when it’s time for a transmission fluid change.

Service Your Vehicle at Bayer Auto Group

Your car will need regular maintenance throughout the time you own the vehicle. Our service team near Granbury and Abilene is here to help. Schedule servicewith our team today, and check out our service specials to see if you can save some money on car maintenance. Contact us or call (325) 356-2541 to talk to us or if you have questions.

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