#Engine coolant color chart manual#

One should also consult factory-specific service literature for their vehicle when attempting to determine when service should be conducted. While odorless, or slightly sweet smelling transmission fluid is in little need of service, those which smell burnt or contaminated should be closely watched. This smell tends to be quite strong and can be easily detected upon removing a transmission´s dipstick from its dipstick tube. However, this odor begins to change with time, indicating possible degradation.Īs transmission fluid begins to age, it often takes on a ¨burnt¨ smell, which is largely unmistakable. Healthy transmission fluid that has not exceeded its standard service life typically has little odor, though many also claim that fresh transmission fluid has a slightly sweet smell. See Also – What Does White Smoke From Your Exhaust Mean? What Should Transmission Fluid Smell Like? As such, transmission fluid´s color can be used as a fairly reliable indicator of overall state and status. Without this dye, transmission fluid is typically transparent in nature, making it somewhat difficult to analyze in detail.Īfter being dyed red, transmission fluid takes on a more opaque appearance, making it rather easy to detect even the most subtle of color changes. As it turns out, transmission fluid is actually dyed red to simplify the identification of impurities. In general, transmission fluid often appears red in color. Read Also – Is Your Transmission Fluid Leaking? Why is Transmission Fluid Red? The main difference between these two fluids relates to the particular anti-wear additive package that is used.

#Engine coolant color chart manual#

Transmission fluid often differs in composition, depending upon whether a particular transmission features an automatic or manual gearbox. For this reason, this fluid must be largely sheer-resistant, and incapable of being compressed. In most cases, transmission fluid also functions as a hydraulic fluid of sorts, facilitating clutch pack and torque converter engagement. Transmission fluid also serves as a coolant of sorts, removing heat from the transmission as it circulates. This fluid circulates throughout a transmission, preventing the erosion of metal components, while also conditioning various seals and gaskets. Transmission fluid is a specialized lubricant intended to fight wear within a transmission´s internal gearcase.

What Should Transmission Fluid Smell Like?.

Read on to learn more about analyzing the status of your vehicle´s transmission fluid, by assessing its color and state. While such efforts are not an exact science, they do provide a certain level of insight into the general well-being of the transmission itself.īy understanding the meaning behind these color variances, one can ensure that their transmission receives ample maintenance throughout its service life. Luckily, motorists can often gauge the condition of their vehicle´s transmission fluid, simply by assessing its color.

However, like any lubricant, transmission fluid is susceptible to eventual breakdown with time. Without a transmission, a vehicle would be incapable of delivering power to its drive-wheels, thereby making it impossible to commute from one location to another.Ī specialized lubricant, known simply as transmission fluid, is utilized to prevent excessive wear of a transmission´s internal components and to provide necessary fluid power for operation. Few vehicle components are as significant in terms of operational value, as a transmission.