5 Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluid - How to Avoid Expensive Transmission Repair Bills

In this video I'll go over the top 5 symptoms of having low transmission fluid. What to look for and how best to avoid transmission damage.



Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchets and Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

[hardytch]

I am glad you are feeling better, hope getting good recovery, you can tell tired you out.

[walternaught]

Had my fluid changed as part of my vehicle's maintenance and started getting the whining afterward. I took it back and told them I thought it was coming from low fluid or the pump not working. They didn't believe me and did a bunch of other repairs only to come full circle back to the transmission fluid level. They topped it off and I haven't heard anything since.

[dc]

Happy New Year and hope you're feeling better. Great to have you back.

[brettsuydam]

I had a failure a few years ago after low atf due to leaking cooler lines. Definitely a good idea to keep an eye on those things as the cars age.

[struceng]

Am I imagining this or RnW did not post in like forever? Got me worried on you bro! Your content was and still one of the best.

[Viper]

Thanks for all the videos you have done . Hope you are doing well .

[chrisstromberg]

Excellent observation on the transmission and power steering noises sounding similar! Hope you are feeling better!

[danielsimpson]

One bit I'd add for a delayed or hard shift. The internal problem could be the check balls in the valve body are worn and get partially stuck in their respective holes. This delays the shift mechanically, until the flow or pressure overcomes the stuck ball, moving it and completing the gear change.

[danielsimpson]

Honestly I would have gotten out of bed 2 hours earlier if I knew RnW was posting today! LoL

[JoeUrbanYYC]

Another thing to consider with delayed/hard shifts. I had a 1996 Nissan Maxima that started shifting from 1st to 2nd late. First it wasn't shifting until 2500 rpm, then 3500, 4500 and eventually 6000! which gave quite a jolt when it did shift! This was a gradual thing over 6 months. The fluid was good so I just assumed this old car was on its way out. Then one day it wouldn't shift at all so I thought well that's it. But a few hours later I started the car and the check engine light was on and the Overdrive light was flashing. I got codes from both the ECU and the transmission computer: bad throttle position sensor. A $70 part later and my transmission was shifting like it was brand new and lasted for years without issue. Unbelievable.

[LegoDork]

Good advice for draining anything on your car. Remive the fill cap/bolt/whatever first. You'll know you can fill it up when your done and it will drain faster and more thoroughly.

Some transmissions use the same hole for drain and fill and you need special tools to service them.

[EdgarEC]

I am a New subscriber. Thank you for this information.
This helped me out a lot!

[djkramit]

I hope you feel better. Thanks for the video.

[colinjordan]

Thanks, very helpful comprehensive advice

[davebaluyot]

I have a question regarding my 2001 Honda Accord 2.3 4cyl FWD. It has 206k miles with it and I bought it when it had 160k miles. I recently changed the engine oil. But before doing that, I decided to change the transmission fluid at the same time, since I forgot to ask the previous owner if the transmission had gone a transmission service. I lifted the front tires only cause I only needed a small space underneath to a put my oil drain container. And when I finished replacing the oil, I put the car down and started the engine. When it started, the D4 was blinking and engine light came off at the same time. There were 6 codes which are about transmission related and non transmission related as well. I looked it up and i read that it’s a transmission problem. People have said that once I replaced the transmission, all those codes would go away. I was really surprised what happened. But I am still hoping to find out another way instead of replacing the transmission. Since the cost would be more than the car’s worth. If you have any idea at all, you’ll be my Santa Claus this coming Holiday!!.lol

More power to your channel! It really helps people like me save a lot!

[foxmulder]

Good info. I recently swapped my transmission out for a used one, because it was falling into neutral instead of shifting to next gear. Swapped it out with a good one, and it still does it. Im lost. Only happens when at very very lil throttle. If i floor it, its fine. Very irritating.

[jajaid]

Glad to see you back, hope you are feeling well. We have a ford escape 4wd with no codes that slips back and forth out of overdrive if we let up on the gas pedal even slightly, drives me crazy.fluid level is full and doesn't smell burnt.where do you suggest I start looking for the issue?any and all help much appreciated. Wishing you and yours the best in 2022!

[nobenznofun]

Good one, I kind of missed emphasizing on regularly servicing your AT. A surprising amount of people believe it doesn't need maintenance. A good tranny oil service every 50000 miles or every 5 years will prevent all of those problems and dramatically extend your AT's life.

[sergejpanov]

Yes, a question for you for your NEXT video: What do you think will happen to automotive technicians with E.V.s flooding the market?

[rjscott]

It can also be a problem with the shifter. I bought a w210 with their "sealed tranny", and open shifter gap, where I repaired it by removing a aaa battery that had wormed it's way into the shifter at some point.