Transmission Fluid Shade Chart (5 Completely different Colours)

If what you’re taking a look at, all the things could be a clue that will help you determine what’s happening. It’s how Sherlock Holmes solves his crimes, and it’s how one can break down what’s taking place inside your transmission.

After studying this information, you’ll have a greater understanding of what you’re on the lookout for and know what to do after you test your transmission fluid.

5 Widespread Shade Phases of Transmission Fluid

• Pink – Coolant Combined with Fluid
• Crimson – New or Like New Situation
• Mild Brown – Good Situation
• Darkish Brown – Outdated & Barely Burnt
• Very Darkish Brown or Black – Very Outdated & Burnt

If what you’re taking a look at, the completely different colours you see in your transmission fluid can let you know fairly a bit. Beneath we’ll spotlight the 5 most typical colours and inform what every one means!

1. Pink

When you test your transmission fluid and it’s extra pink than crimson, you've got an issue. Pink transmission fluid signifies that water’s moving into the system. Usually, this water is definitely coolant, and it means you've got some defective gaskets that it is advisable to substitute.

If the fluid is pink, you gained’t simply want to exchange the fluid; you’ll must restore and doubtlessly rebuild the transmission.

2. Amber or Mild Crimson

When you test your transmission fluid and it has a light-weight crimson or amber colour, that is excellent. It’s contemporary transmission fluid, and that is exactly what it’ll appear to be after a fluid change. Not solely will the transmission fluid have a vivid crimson colour, however it can even be semi-translucent.

Take into account that it gained’t keep this colour for lengthy, and it'll begin to transition to a maroon colour after just a few thousand miles.

3. Maroon

In case your transmission fluid has a maroon tint, that’s completely alright. All that it means is that the transmission fluid has some put on – nevertheless it doesn’t imply that it is advisable to substitute it but.

Your transmission fluid will begin to have a maroon tint after just some thousand miles and can keep this manner for many of its service life.

4. Brown

As your transmission fluid ages, it goes from a vivid and semi-transparent amber all the best way to an opaque brown colour. As soon as it reaches this stage, it’s time to start out contemplating changing your transmission fluid.

Most autos gained’t require a transmission fluid change till they hit the 100,000-mile threshold, and that’s when the fluid will begin to attain this darker brown stage.

5. Black

In case your transmission fluid is black, it’s a trigger for concern, and it’s time to exchange the fluid. Black transmission fluid is oxidized and burnt, which signifies that it’s now not offering the mandatory lubrication to your transmission system.

When you pull the dipstick and the transmission fluid is black, get a fluid flush as quickly as attainable earlier than it grows into extra important issues.

Transmission Fluid Fundamentals

For starters, transmission fluid is a sealed system. Meaning nothing needs to be getting in there until you place it there.

Moreover, it wears down with use. It’s identical to oil – it simply has a for much longer service life. Meaning in case you’ve by no means modified your transmission fluid earlier than, it is perhaps due for a change.

The precise service intervals fluctuate by producer, however most autos require transmission fluid oil modifications each 100,000 to 150,000 miles. It’s additionally one thing the dealership tries to push in much more often.

For instance, this dealership in Fort Price, Texas, recommends that you just change the transmission fluid each 30,000 miles. In the meantime, Ford solely recommends altering your transmission fluid each 150,000 miles in the very same mannequin. Don’t fall for it – go together with the producer suggestions, not the dealership.

Transmission fluid serves a wide selection of functions inside your transmission, which is why it’s so necessary to be sure that it’s in good working order.

Not solely does it preserve all the things lubricated, nevertheless it additionally retains all the things cool and cleans the within of your transmission. So long as you retain the transmission fluid in good working order, there’s no cause that an computerized transmission can’t final over 200,000 miles.

Different Causes for Concern

When you pull the dipstick and see steel shavings, this a big concern. It signifies that the interior workings of your transmission are grinding collectively, shaving itself down. When you see this, it’s time to rebuild your transmission, and there's a good likelihood you’ll want to exchange it.

You must also test for steel shavings everytime you drain the transmission fluid fully, as that is whenever you’ll have the very best chance of recognizing any issues.

Once you test the fluid with the dipstick, truly contact it together with your fingers. When you've got the transmission fluid in your fingers, rub them collectively. It needs to be easy. When you really feel any dust or grime, which means that one thing is occurring together with your transmission and contaminating the fluid.

Drain the fluid out and take a better have a look at the drained fluid to see in case you can’t discover any extra particles. When you discover the rest, it is advisable to have the transmission serviced and doubtlessly rebuilt.

Lastly, whenever you pull the dipstick, scent the fluid. It would look bizarre if somebody doesn’t know what you’re doing, nevertheless it’s an important piece of the puzzle. The transmission fluid ought to scent contemporary – if it provides off a burnt odor, that’s an indication that the oil is previous its prime.

Furthermore, if the transmission fluid isn’t previous, it’s an indication that one thing else is occurring inside your transmission. Whereas a barely burnt scent doesn’t imply it is best to go proper out and rebuild your transmission, it is best to keep watch over it to be sure that it’s not getting worse.

Conclusion

There’s no arguing that your car’s transmission is important. The excellent news is that transmission fluid acts as a trying glass to present you an concept of your transmission’s general well being – and it takes to test it's to tug out the dipstick!

Lastly, if all the things appears good together with your transmission fluid’s colour and it’s nonetheless throughout the producer’s specs, there’s no cause to alter it. Transmission fluid can final quite a bit longer than oil, don’t let a shady dealership or restore store attempt to let you know in any other case.