What Color Is Transmission Fluid?

Part of regular maintenance on your internal combustion engine is transmission maintenance. You’ll need to know how to keep this vital part of your engine running properly because it is intricate and complex. If there are any problems with the transmission, it could cause a major headache for you because they are expensive to repair.

When you’re checking your transmission fluid, it’s important to know what color transmission fluid is. That gives you the opportunity to check for signs of a serious problem. So what’s the color of transmission fluid? Learn more about transmission fluid colors, the importance of this fluid, and why you need to know about it thanks to our service team at Major World in Long Island City.

Transmission Fluid Color Guide

Brand-new transmission fluid color is dark red and translucent. There are no particles in it. Transmission fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that helps your transmission work properly. As transmission fluid ages due to the travels and mileage on your vehicle, the color will darken naturally. However, a darker color could also be contaminants getting past a malfunctioning transmission filter. Discover our helpful color guide for transmission fluid to determine if you need to change your vehicle’s transmission fluid or if something else is wrong.

See more here:

• Brand-new fluid: Dark red and translucent
• Normal: Darker brick red
• Service your vehicle soon: Deep blood red/rust red and opaque
• Service your vehicle immediately: Burnt/almost black 

Red Fluid Leaking From a Car: What Does It Mean?

Should you notice a red fluid leaking from your engine, this is probably a transmission fluid leak. A few other ways to identify a transmission fluid leak, in addition to the red color, are:

• Odor: Transmission fluid usually smells like petroleum. If the fluid needs to be changed, it will smell burnt.
• Consistency: Transmission fluid will look and feel oily and slick like engine oil or brake fluid.
• Location of the Leak: Transmission fluid tends to leak in front of the car from the middle part of the engine compartment. 

Get Ahead of Transmission Problems

Keep the following tips in mind to prevent possible problems with your vehicle’s transmission: 

• Choose the Right Transmission Fluid: With more advanced automatic transmission systems available, it’s important to make sure you use the correct automatic transmission fluid and genuine OEM parts when servicing it, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Follow Your Owner’s Manual: Consult your owner’s manual to see what transmission fluid to use. See the recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle. 
• Keep Up with Transmission Service: Regularly scheduled transmission servicecan help catch issues before they become severe. Your local authorized dealership, like Major World, will know when to inspect and replace transmission components or perform a transmission flush. Typically, you don’t need to worry about transmission fluid changes until 20,000 or 30,000 miles, but it depends on your make, model, year, and driving conditions. 

Service Your Vehicle at Major World

Your car will need regular maintenance throughout the time you own the vehicle. No matter if the time is coming to have your transmission fluid changed or if your vehicle needs other regular maintenance or a serious repair, our service team near Bayside and Forest Hills is here to help. Schedule servicewith our team today. Have questions? Contact us or call (347) 466-9380 to talk to us.

More Service Tips From Major World