How much transmission fluid do I need?

Have you ever wondered how much transmission fluid your car needs? While most people know what engine oil is, few of us give much thought to the fluid that helps our gear changes stay smooth and easy. This crimson red lubricant is the lifeblood of your gearbox, and if you don’t want a struggle with each gear change then making sure it has just the right amount is critical.

Let’s take a look at transmission fluid, and how much your car needs to keep it in good shape.

What is transmission fluid?

Also known as clutch fluid, this lovely lubricant protects the gears, clutch and gear chains in your car, so your gear shifts are smooth and crisp. Automatic cars require a different type of transmission fluid than manual cars, but both are a translucent dark red that gets darker and murkier with use. Just like with engine oil, you need to change your transmission fluid regularly to keep everything working efficiently.

Where is the transmission fluid located?

So where does transmission fluid go? Finding the transmission fluid dipstick is the easiest way to locate where to put transmission fluid into your car. The place to look depends on the type of car you have, but generally if your car is rear-wheel-drive the dipstick is usually found towards the back of the engine, near the firewall. If your ride is a front-wheel-drive then you’re most likely to find the dipstick near the front of the engine, to the right of the engine oil dipstick.

How much transmission fluid do I need in an automatic?

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is thinner and smoother than manual transmission fluid, with additives to reduce friction between moving parts. Depending on your car's make and model, how much transmission fluid you need will vary between 2.5 to 5.5 litres. Always check your car owner’s manual for the exact amount required, or ask the friendly mechanics at mycar to steer you in the right direction.

How much transmission fluid do I need in a manual?

Manual transmission fluid (MTF) is thicker than ATF and has higher friction properties to help with the precise engagement of gears. The amount of MTF you need can vary widely, but typically, manual cars require between 3.8 to 16 litres of transmission fluid. Just like with engine oil, you don’t want to overfill it, so make sure to check your owner’s manual or ask the team at mycar.

What are the symptoms of too much transmission fluid?

Overfilling transmission fluid can create high pressure in your gearbox leading to overheating, and less than ideal transmission behaviour. When you’ve got too much transmission fluid symptoms can include:

These signs are red flags that your car may need to be checked out.

What happens if my car has too much transmission fluid?

When your car has too much transmission fluid it makes it more difficult for all the parts to move at the optimal speed. It’s kind of like trying to run when you’re neck deep in water—everything slows down and it’s harder to get anywhere. This means that the crankshaft slows down, and the gearbox isn’t being cooled effectively either, increasing friction and wear… and overheating. So if you overfill transmission fluid it can result in major problems, impacting the overall performance and lifespan of your car.

How to check transmission fluid level

Maintaining your automatic transmission starts with checking the transmission fluid level. Here’s how:

1. Start and warm up your engine: keep it in park, with the handbrake on, and on a level surface.

2. Find the transmission dipstick: Under the hood, usually to the rear of the engine bay in rear wheel cars, or to the right of the engine oil dipstick if your car is front wheel drive.

3. Check the fluid level: Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, then pull it out again to check the fluid level against the markers.

4. Check the Fluid: wipe some on a white surface or cloth and check the colour.

Clean fluid should be reddish-pink and come up to the ‘full’ line, so if it’s under this then you’ll need to add more. If it’s brownish-red it needs replacing, and if it looks dark brown or black you might have damage to the transmission so you should bring it to mycar for inspection without delay.

How to check transmission fluid without dipstick

If you can’t find a transmission fluid dipstick, then you’ve probably got a sealed transmission fluid system, but it’s essential to double check your owners manual to confirm this though. Instead of a dipstick, you’ll be looking for two plugs—the inspection plug and the fill plug. The fill plug is where you pour in new transmission fluid and is usually located on top of the transmission in the engine bay. Any excess transmission fluid will automatically flow out of the inspection plug, which is usually found on the side of the transmission.

If you own a manual car it also won’t have a dipstick, so checking the transmission fluid level is a bit messy. Manual car gearboxes usually have a fill plug and a drain plug, so you need to remove the fill plug and see if fluid drips out. If it does, it’s full, but if it doesn’t you can use a rag to check the level and colour. If it looks clean then just top it up until it won’t take anymore and screw the cap back on.

How to remove too much transmission fluid

If you’ve accidentally overfilled transmission fluid, then you’ll need to remove some so that you don’t end up with gearbox problems. The easiest way of draining transmission fluid is by using a syphon or fluid pump, and inserting the tube of this into the dipstick receptacle to suck out the excess fluid.

Still not sure? Drop into mycar for help

Keeping your gearbox and clutch happy means ensuring it has the right transmission fluid level for optimum performance. By keeping a close eye on your transmission fluid, you know your car will be in great shape for all your weekend adventures and daily commutes. If you're ever in doubt, the professionals at mycar are here to help with all your transmission needs, and with more than 275 locations all over Australia we’re never far away. Plus, all the work we do on your car is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee, for ultimate peace of mind.