A transmission fluid leak is no good for your car. There is a variety of reasons why it might occur, but the first thing you should do is stop the panic.
The steps you might want to take, if you suspect a transmission fluid leak, are as follows:
Step 1. Perform a Dipstick Inspection
The dipstick inspection is the oldest, cheapest and easiest method of checking the fluid in the vehicle. You can find the instruction on how to perform the whole thing in our recent post ‘How Do You Know if You Need a Transmission Fluid?’
Step 2. Recall What Signs of Possible Leak You’ve Experienced
A pink, red or brownish spot underneath the car, an activated warning light, a tangible lag in movement, a strange noise or smell, especially of something burned, may indicate the transmission fluid leak. If you experience any of these issues and the dipstick inspection reveals an inadequate level of fluid, you have to deal with the leak as soon as possible. If you don’t recall any of the mentioned above, move to the next step.
A rag to soak up the hydraulic fluid © U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Step 3. Change the Fluid and Check Its Level Again Soon
Let’s use common sense. If there’s a leak, the fluid level will visibly change shortly after you change it. If that’s true, your suspicions were correct. Otherwise, the problem could be caused by a poor-quality fluid rather than a leak.
Step 4. Inspect and Change Transmission Seals/Gaskets if Needed
Some experts suggest that a so-called transmission sealer (for instance, eBay has an article about this kind of additives) may help with leaking seals and gaskets, but the only guaranteed method of repairing is simply changing them. Consult your mechanic if you’re not sure what to do.
Step 5. Take the Car to an Auto Mechanic
If you cannot repair the issue on your own and the transmission fluid leak is rather small, you may safely drive your vehicle to the preferable mechanic. If there’s a massive leak, don’t drive the vehicle at all as you will probably end up with a broken transmission on the halfway, not to mention the damage to the environment.
