How to Find & Check Low-Level Transmission Fluid in a Car Low transmission fluid can cause multiple issues with your automobile's transmission. Keeping a sufficient level of transmission fluid is crucial. If you do not, you're likely to see symptoms such as the ones discussed in this article. Low levels of transmission fluid can cause all sorts of problems. Being able to notice these symptoms early could save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run. Automatic transmission fluid is the lifeblood of the automatic transmission. It is also used in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and occasionally in manual transmissions, though the latter more commonly uses transmission oil. In any event, all these fluids play similar roles: they lubricate and cool the transmission. Having not enough fluid can cause or contribute to a whole host of problems. These include:
Slow gear engagement With a low level of transmission fluid, there is a low level of pressure. This can mean that your transmission is slow to engage when you shift gears. If you find that your transmission takes a second to engage into drive or reverse, check your transmission fluid level.
Problems shifting gears The problems you experience with low transmission fluid go beyond simply slow gear engagement. There are more problems you might encounter when your transmission tries to shift gears. These can include resistance. If you find it difficult to shift gears and/or you experience grinding or other friction, your transmission might be low on fluid.
Slipping gears Sometimes low transmission fluid causes the opposite problem. Instead of it being too hard to shift gears, it can be too easy. If your transmission slips out of gear all on its own, this is a dangerous problem. This usually occurs shortly after you have switched gears and it usually slips into neutral, but not always. Again, low transmission fluid can cause this because of low hydraulic pressure.
Funny noises Your transmission will often tell you if something is wrong with it. But you must listen to it. Odd noises such as whirring, clunking, grinding — any of which are accompanied by shuddering sensation — are signs of faulty transmission, often one with low transmission fluid.
Spilled transmission fluid Another way you can tell if you have low transmission fluid is if the fluid is not where it's supposed to be, e.g., on your driveway. If you see patches of reddish liquid underneath where your car used to be, then you have a leak and, therefore, low transmission fluid.