You may not realize this, but the color of your car’s transmission fluid indicates the fluid’s health. Sometimes, it’s hard to check your car’s transmission fluid yourself if the dipstick is located underneath your automobile which, in most cases, it is. This is why it’s a good idea to have your transmission checked every 30,000 miles; this check includes inspecting the fluid. West Omaha Auto Service explains that this fluid not only protects the transmission but also helps it shift gears. Let’s talk about the different colors of transmission fluid and what they mean.
Red
Your car’s transmission fluid should be bright red and translucent. Red transmission fluid is new, clean, and capable of protecting the transmission’s moving parts and helping it shift gears with minimal problems. Bright red transmission fluid does not need to be changed because it is still doing its job effectively. Red transmission fluid is the healthiest color your transmission fluid can be.
Orange or Light Brown
As the transmission fluid starts to get older, it will turn orange or light brown. Provided the fluid is still translucent, it probably doesn’t need to be changed quite yet. Orange or light brown transmission fluid is still doing its job effectively, so you can leave it in the system a little while longer. Keep in mind, however, that you are on the road to a transmission fluid flush and refill soon.
Dark Brown or Black
Transmission fluid that is dark brown or black is no longer effective. In fact, leaving this fluid in the transmission will cause serious damage. The dark brown or black color indicates that the fluid is not only dirty but has also oxidized, which means it can no longer effectively protect the transmission parts or help it shift gears. You will likely notice other transmission problems if your transmission fluid is this old.
Pink
Pink and frothy transmission fluid is a very bad sign. This means that you have coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid and diluting it. Not only does this indicate that there is a breach between the cooling system and the transmission, but it also indicates that your transmission is being damaged by the coolant. The diluted fluid cannot protect the transmission as it should, nor can it help it shift gears.
If you can’t remember the last time you had your transmission fluid checked, stop by West Omaha Auto Service in Omaha, NE. We have two auto service shops to help you, one on Court and one on Gold Circle.