Neighborhood Automotive Service & Transmission Repair advises that the color of the fluid in your transmission should be red. We will talk more about this below. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to know what the transmission fluid does. Transmission fluid works in two ways to help the transmission. First, it acts as a hydraulic fluid to help shift the gears. Second, it acts as an oil to help protect the transmission and keep it cool. Let’s talk more about transmission fluid.
Red
As we mentioned above, you want your transmission fluid to be red and translucent. It’s important to note that transmission fluid changes color as it ages. This can help you determine when it needs to be changed; however, it should be changed every 30,000 miles. If the fluid in your transmission is red and translucent, you do not need to change it because it is doing its job just fine.
Orange
Even when the transmission fluid turns orange, it still doesn’t need to be changed. Yes, the transmission fluid is getting older, but an orange or light brown hue means that the transmission is still doing its job. In addition, the transmission fluid will still be translucent, which means it hasn’t started to oxidize. You can keep the transmission fluid in the transmission until it turns brown.
Brown
When it turns brown, which is usually around 30,000 miles, the transmission fluid needs to be changed right away. The brown color indicates that the transmission fluid is too old to do its job. In addition, the fluid will lose its translucency because it is filling with air bubbles. This is oxidation, and oxidation can prevent the transmission fluid from protecting the transmission.
Black
If you do not have the transmission fluid changed, it will eventually turn black. This transmission fluid is fully oxidized and instead of protecting the engine, it is now damaging it. The transmission will also act up. It may refuse to shift gears, grind when it shifts the gears, or even clunk.
Pink
Finally, and as an aside, you’d never want to see pink transmission fluid in the transmission. The reason why is that the fluid turned from red to pink because it is mixed with engine coolant. Unfortunately, this means that either the transmission or the cooling system has a severe leak.
Call Neighborhood Automotive Service & Transmission Repair in Cumming, GA, today if it has been more than 30,000 miles since you have had your transmission fluid changed.