- Flushing the transmission fluid in your automatic transmission is the most important maintenance task you will hopefully ever have to perform. It should be done every 10,000 miles or as your manufacturer recommends. This process involves removing the transmission fluid meter (it is just like an oil dipstick) and observing the color and smell. If the fluid is blackened or has a burnt odor, it is time to change it. You will find this dipstick on the engine block in most cars. It is labeled transmission fluid, or ATF for automatic transmission fluid.
- The car should be perfectly level and warmed up for about 10 minutes. Then cycle the car through all the gears to ensure the fluid is completely worked throughout the transmission. You can do this on some cars while in the parked position by pressing on the gas pedal and keeping the car in neutral. Or simply take the car on a short trip to the nearest highway and back again. Then check the fluid again by removing the ATF stick and reading the levels on the stick. If the fluid is under the full mark, you need to add fluid. Add fluid as necessary and check the fluid level again by repeating this step.
- If the transmission fluid needs changing, it is time to do a complete fluid flush. This involves opening the transmission drain valve located under the transmission fluid reservoir. The valve is opened, the fluid is drained completely and then filled again. It is important to know how much fluid you need in your particular car and what type of fluid you need to use. Both should be in your owner's manual. If you aren't sure, take the car to a mechanic or ask the dealer to give you this information. It is important to fill the car with the correct type of fluid.
- Every car is different and needs specific transmission fluid to run correctly. The fluid also needs to be at the correct level. Each type of fluid is made to provide a certain amount of friction for the transmission to perform properly. The parts inside the transmission actually use this friction level to operate. Dextron and Mopar are common types of transmission fluid. Usually, they are manufactured in levels or grades such as "Plus," "Extra Plus" or heavy duty. They are made for specific types of transmissions.
