Did you know that the fluid in your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s transmission should be changed every 30,000 miles? Buellton Garage can perform this service for you. Our certified and experienced technicians are experts in both automatic and manual transmissions. It’s important to have the fluid changed when it needs it. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing unnecessary damage to your automatic transmission. The color of the fluid reveals its health. Let’s talk more about this below.
Red
The transmission fluid in your car, truck, or utility vehicle should be bright red. When the transmission fluid is red and translucent, it is working well as not only a lubricant but also a hydraulic fluid. That’s right! The transmission fluid not only lubricates the transmission gears to protect them from heat and wear and tear, but it also works as a hydraulic fluid to help the transmission shift gears.
Light Brown
As the transmission starts to get up there in age, it will turn light brown or orange. You don’t need to change your transmission fluid at this stage. It is still doing an effective job of protecting the transmission and helping it shift gears. The fluid also remains translucent, which means it is clean and free of oxidation. Plan to get your transmission fluid changed soon but not quite yet.
Brown/Black
Once the transmission fluid turns brown, it needs to be changed. The reason why the transmission fluid has changed colors is that it has oxidized. Oxidation fills the transmission fluid with tiny air bubbles that reduce its ability to work well as a lubricant or hydraulic fluid. The transmission fluid is also brown because it is getting dirty and burned. This transmission fluid can overheat your transmission.
If you don’t get your transmission fluid changed when it needs it, it will eventually turn black. By this time, you will be having problems with your vehicle’s transmission. You may hear loud clunking, grinding, or squealing sounds coming from the transmission, and you may also have problems getting your vehicle to go into gear or to shift through the gear cycle. Transmission fluid that is in this condition must be changed right away.
Pink
Unfortunately, pink transmission fluid is a sign of a serious problem between your transmission and your vehicle’s cooling system. You have a breach between the two systems and the transmission fluid has turned pink because it is being diluted by the engine coolant.
Stop by Buellton Garage in Buellton, CA, today for a transmission fluid check. We can change the fluid if it needs it.
