Signs Your Transmission Fluid Is Low

In order for your transmission to function properly, it must be equipped with the appropriate amount of transmission fluid. If transmission fluid levels are too low, the transmission won’t be properly lubricated or cooled, which can have several negative repercussions. As such, it is important to check your transmission fluid levels regularly and be aware of the symptoms of low levels so you can resolve any issues immediately. Here are some of the most common signs your transmission fluid is low that you should keep an eye out for. 

Transmission Slipping

Transmission slipping is a telltale sign that your transmission fluid levels are too low. Transmission slipping refers to when a vehicle's gears are not able to engage properly and slip in and out of sync as a result. If you notice that your vehicle randomly shifts gears while you are driving, you should check your transmission fluid levels immediately, as such sudden gear changes can be dangerous. 

Shifting Problems

Another sign that your transmission fluid is low is that you start to experience shifting problems. Aside from slipping gears, low transmission fluid can result in other shifting problems such as delayed shifting response, hard shifting of gears, and completely unresponsive gears. If your gears take more than a few seconds to respond or are jerky when you try to shift them, there is a good chance that inadequate transmission fluid levels could be to blame.  

Strange Noises

Low transmission fluid levels can also have audible symptoms. If your transmission is working properly, it should be relatively noiseless. However, if transmission fluid levels are low, the transmission may begin to make strange noises as a result of the clutches and bands rubbing together. Clunking, grinding, whining, and pounding noises are all common signs that you need to replace or refill your transmission fluid needs. 

Overheating

One of the most urgent symptoms of low transmission fluid is overheating. When there isn’t enough fluid to lubricate the transmission, the transmission components can rub together and create friction and excess heat.  If your transmission begins to overheat, complete transmission failure can occur, which is both dangerous and extremely expensive to resolve. As such, it is essential to get your vehicle’s transmission inspected as soon as possible to diagnose and fix the problem.

If your vehicle’s transmission becomes damaged as a result of low transmission fluid, Transparts Warehouse can help. We stock a wide variety of standard and automatic transmission repair parts from trusted brands such as TCS Performance Parts, Sonnax, and Alto Products. For more information regarding our top-quality transmission parts, contact us today.