Automatic Transmission Fluid

This is the red colored highly refined mineral oil that is used in the vehicles with automatic transmission. The use of automatic transmission fluid differs with different systems. It is used as a lubricant and as hydraulic fluid in different vehicles.

There are three types of automatic transmission fluids. These are Dexron, type F and ATF+. The user manual list the type of ATF used in the vehicle. The manufacturers sometime refer different types of ATF products for different types of vehicle usage.

Modern automatic transmission fluids are formed from a combination of different types of chemical compounds so as to develop a particular ATF specification. These compounds can be anti foam additives, detergents, anti wear additive anti oxidation compounds, high temperature thickeners, petroleum dye and cold flow improvers.

To optimize the performance of your vehicle and its components it is important to perform a routine checkup of the fluid in your vehicle. For this park your car on a level surface and start the engine.
Keep the engine running till it warms up.

To check the ATF in your car keep the engine running. But with some cars it is not required to run the engine while you perform the check up. Therefore consult the user manual before you start the process.

Now with the ATF dipstick check the level of the fluid. This dipstick is similar to the engine oil dipstick but somewhat smaller in size. But before you use it wipe it either with a rag or a cloth for the purpose. Push it in the engine and then remove it. Scan it carefully for two different marks.

One mark is for warm and the other is for cold. Note the mark for warm reading. Now if the automatic transmission fluid does not reach up to the full mark it means that you have to add the fluid to your vehicle.
This is the fluid which is not used up when you drive your vehicle. Therefore if there is low level of fluid then this means that there is some kind of leek. Check your vehicle. Don’t ignore the fault as it may lead to some transmission repairs.

Consult the user manual to find out the type of ATF recommended by the manufacturer for your car. Purchase it and add the fluid in the small hole from where you took out the dipstick. Add slowly.
Don’t overfill the fluid. Overfilling leads to automatic transmission failure. The correct way to add the fluid is to pour slowly using the funnel and checking it simultaneously with the dipstick.

Some new vehicles don’t come with the dipstick. If you own such vehicle then don’t experiment. Find an experienced mechanic to add the fluid to your vehicle.