The transmission oil is as important to the transmission as the motor oil is to the engine. The oil or fluid, as it is also called, serves three purposes in the transmission. First, it lubricates moving parts to reduce friction and keep everything cool. Second, it helps to keep the transmission clean. Third, it is a hydraulic fluid that helps your transmission shift gears. Ideally, the transmission oil should be changed every 30,000 miles to ensure it does not oxidize and damage the transmission. We are going to talk below about the signs that your transmission is leaking the oil found inside of it.
Spots/Puddles on the Garage Floor
The most obvious sign of a transmission oil leak is spots or puddles on the garage floor. The thing to keep in mind, however, is that the spots or puddles will be underneath the center of your automobile rather than underneath the engine. The transmission is located underneath your vehicle.
Transmission fluid is red when it is in good condition. If it is starting to get old, it will be orange or light brown. If the transmission is too old and has oxidized, it will be dark brown or black. It is difficult to check the transmission fluid level because the dipstick is located underneath your automobile.
If you suspect that you have low transmission oil in the transmission, stop by our shop so we can raise your vehicle and check the fluid level. Transmission oil can leak out of the transmission pan, the torque converter, the pan gasket, the hoses, the seals, or the gaskets among other transmission parts.
The Transmission Overheats
If the level of your transmission oil gets too low, your transmission is going to overheat every time you drive your car, truck, or UV. When this happens, you will start to smell burning odors wafting from underneath your automobile. These burning odors will be noticeable once the vehicle has warmed up.
In addition to the burning odors, the transmission may start to have problems with its daily operation. It may start to hesitate to shift gears, grind or clunk when it shifts gears, and make your vehicle vibrate when it shifts gears. All of these things point to a transmission with a low level of transmission oil.
It is important to understand that if you continue to operate your vehicle with little to no oil in the transmission, you could damage the transmission beyond repair. As such, call us right away if you suspect that your transmission is leaking oil.
