How to Check Automatic Transmission Oil in the Easiest Way, Can Be Done by Yourself!
How to check the car transmission oil is something that should be done regularly to determine whether it needs to be replaced or not. The most commonly found automatic transmission today is the conventional automatic gearbox, often referred to as power shift transmission.
This type of car transmission relies on fluid in the form of oil as a power distributor. In other words, oil plays an important role like blood flowing in this power shift transmission.
Therefore, checking the car transmission oil needs to be done regularly to know its condition. If it has already encountered problems, the impact can damage the function of other components, leading to higher service costs.
Many automatic car owners are unaware of how important it is to check the condition of the transmission oil. That is why many say that the maintenance costs of automatic cars are higher than those of manual cars.
In fact, if the checks are done regularly, the maintenance costs are not as high as one might think. Therefore, let’s take a look at the following review to find out how to check the transmission oil in automatic cars.
Check the mileage
The condition of the transmission oil in an automatic car can easily be seen through the mileage of the beloved car. If the odometer shows 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers, then the transmission oil needs to be replaced. This is because the transmission oil has a lifespan at that distance.
The condition of the oil that has been used up to that distance is usually also already crusty and dirty. If that happens, the performance of the car's transmission can be disrupted.
Shift the transmission lever
Checking the transmission oil can be done by shifting the transmission lever. Immediately park the car on flat ground, aiming to balance the car's position from various sides.
Then start the car engine and warm it up as usual in the morning. Pull the handbrake and check the transmission lever.
Move the position of the transmission lever starting from P, R, N, D, to S and L. Hold each shift for two seconds. The purpose of this step is to ensure that the solenoid and body valve path are filled with oil properly.
Then observe the response. A healthy automatic car transmission will respond in no more than 5 seconds for the car to react from a standstill to moving.
Then the movement of the car will also feel smooth if its condition is still prime. Even for CVT types, there should be no noticeable jolts at all. If the shifts are rough, there may be a problem with the oil or its hydraulic system.
Check the transmission oil through the dipstick
Open and pull the transmission oil dipstick, clean it, then dip it again. Then check the color and volume of the oil. Good transmission oil is certainly red. It needs to be replaced if the oil is dark black or brown and even has a burnt smell.
The oil volume must also be just right, not exceeding the maximum and minimum limits. If the volume exceeds the limits on the dipstick, immediately replace it with new oil. The reason for the decrease in engine oil volume is evaporation due to engine heating. The minimum and maximum limits should also be checked based on two conditions, namely when the engine is hot and cold.
Adjust the type of oil and transmission
In Indonesia, there are two types of cars with automatic transmissions, namely power shift and CVT. Both require different types of lubricants.
Make sure the oil purchased matches the car's specifications. For powershift transmission, oil is used to lubricate the gears, while in CVT it lubricates the metal belt to prevent it from breaking quickly. If the oil is not compatible, long-term damage can occur.
Thus, this is the information on how to check the transmission oil in automatic cars that you need to know. From now on, let’s be more sensitive to the condition of the transmission oil in your beloved car!
Author: Dinno Baskoro
