How do I check my transmission fluid and what should I look for?

Question

I have a 94 Pontiac Grand Prix....How do I check the transmission fluid (where is it!) and what should I be looking for? Thanks

Answer 1

In the engine compartment, there's a smaller dipstick and the
fluid is red in colour. You should pull out the dipstick to see
whether the transmission fluid is enough or not by looking at
the dipstick which is marked with 2 lines: high and low. If you
see the red fluid touches on or near the high line, it's okay.
But if it's at the low or below low line, then you have to top it
up with the correct fluid which can be obtained at any car
workshop or petrol station center.
Happy motoring!

Answer 2

Depending on the car itself the dipstick will be on the pasenger side closest to the windshield, or in some front wheel drive cars the dipstick will be on the driver side and tucked away a bit. The handle will be yellow or red. The fluid needs to be checked with the car in park with the engine running while on a flat/level surface. The fluid itself should be cherry red and free of any particles. Also the fluid should have a clean metalic smell to it. If the fluid is burnt it will be brownish in color and smell kind of fishy. This fluid would need to be changed. Be carefull when doing a fluid change because new fluid is very high in detergent. This means any dirt in the system will be knocked loose and be sent through your transmission. To keep this problem to a minimum you should try to run an inline filter for the first 100-500 miles after a transmission service. It is a little bit more work but is well worth it to avoid extra transmission services. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

there is a dipstick in the engine compartment, like with oil, and it is going to be lower than the oil (look in the area of the transmission. You can tell because the transmission dipstick is going to be smaller than the oil dipstick as well.

The fluid will be red in color. There should be a marking on the stick to let you know where the level is currently.

I recommend taking it to a service shop, if you don't already know this stuff, and having them check it. Is there a reason to check it? Are you having difficulty shifting gears (is the automatic delayed or slipping in some way)? Otherwise, you may want to take it to a REPUTABLE place to have the tranny flushed and filled.

Answer 4

Gatesfam is correct, but to add to his answer -- the fluid should not smell burned. If it does, the clutches in the tranny are slipping and will need serviced.

There is always a reason to check this fluid. ALL fluids in a vehicle should be checked and topped off if needed at least once per week.

Answer 5

CHECK IT WHILE THE CAR IS ON FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. THEN PULL THE STICK OUT AND CHECK THE LINES ON THE STICK IT WILL SHOW YOU IF YOU NEED TO HAD FLUID. MOST CARS DON'T USUALLY NEED TRANSMISSION FLUID UNLESS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION USUALLY IT'S THE OIL THAT YOU NEED TO ADD, AND YOU CHECK THE OIL WHILE THE CAR IS COLD AND MAKE SURE IT'S NOT ON A HILL WHEN YOU CHECK THE FLUIDS IN YOUR CAR. MAKE SURE YOU PUT THE RIGHT FLUID IN THE RIGHT HOLE. WHEN MY DAD WORKED ON CARS I ALWAYS WANTED TO WATCH HIM AND I'M GLAD THAT I DID B/C I LEARNED A LOT

Answer 6

The dip stick is usually up towards the front of the engine right below the windshield. Make sure your car is running when you check it. Also your transmission fuel should be red in color.

Answer 7

Park the car running on a flat level surface in nuetral to check

Answer 8

usually its a yellow tipped dipstick. all you need to check for is if its Low(theres a Max/min line on the dipstick) or dirty(wipe with a rag)..if its both..go have the tranny fluid flushed and replaced.
usually walmarts ect do that.

Answer 9

Should have a transmission dipstick. Oil should be red.

Answer 10

http://www.ehow.com/how_104_check-automatic-transmission.html