What Color is Transmission Fluid?

You make your way out to your Asheville driveway with intentions of starting your day, only to find red fluiding leaking from your car. What do you do? If you know what color transmission fluid is, you know that it’s to make an appointment with the service department at Apple Tree Acura to get your transmission checked. Learn more about what different colors of transmission fluid mean, how to check transmission fluid, and what to do if you find red fluid leaking from your car. 

Transmission Fluid Color Guide

As you drive around the Hendersonville area and your transmission fluid ages, its color will change. Contaminants and debris getting past a bad transmission filter can also alter the color of transmission fluid. If your red fluid is leaking from your car, pay attention to what shade of red because it can indicate if your transmission needs service: 

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

What Does it Mean When Red Fluid is Leaking from a Car?

Red fluid leaking from your car is likely transmission fluid. There are other ways to make sure it’s transmission fluid. Here are the other signs to look for if you think your car has a transmission fluid leak: 

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

How to Prevent Transmission Problems

While the Apple Tree Acura service department is great at keeping Johnson City transmissions in great shape, there are some easy things you can do to improve your transmission’s health. They include: 

• Choose the Right Fluid: Check your owner’s manual to find out what kind of transmission fluid is best, or purchase OEM transmission fluid from our parts department. 
• Follow Your Owner’s Manual: Not only does your owner’s manual have the information about what transmission fluid to you, it can also give you the recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle. Service your transmission as it recommends.
• Keep Up with Transmission Service: Catch issues before they become severe with regularly scheduled maintenance appointments. Your local authorized dealership like Apple Tree Acura will know when you inspect and replace transmission components or perform a transmission flush. 

Learn More About Acura Service with Apple Tree Acura

Not only can Apple Tree Acura help when you need to know what color transmission fluid is, we can help you get a better understanding of how your vehicle operates. Read our service tips and tricks to find out more!