We have been put a lot of miles on in a short period of time and I have been pulling a loaded trailer with the van. It pulls really nice with 250 horsepower under the hood.  I have been really pleased with the van but it has started to shift really hard between first and second gear.  I can’t tell if it is actually the shift causing the problem or if it is the lock up torque converter causing the problem.

Anyway it continues to progress to destruction.  This past weekend I decided to check the transmission fluid on the off chance the level was low.  I am using synthetic transmission fluid and I have been running the van hard.  It is up to 162,000 miles + now.  I fully expected some dark fluid probably slightly burnt smell (that nasty burning tranny smell).

Considering the transmission is shifting improperly and my wife has been stuck in 4th gear a couple of times driving home (and I have been pulling heavy trailers) you can imagine the absolute shock on my face when I pulled the dipstick to see a perfect beautiful light red color, at the proper level, with no odor of burnt.  WOW.

I change my motor oil and transmission fluid on a regular basis to try and make my vehicles last forever.

I wish my tranny would last forever because of the synthetic transmission fluid I’m using but I am obviously having problems.  What I am finding from my research is we have gone a lot longer than all the other folks that ran into this transmission problem.  I haven’t sorted it out yet but I am hoping its a computer problem and not mechanical.  My transmission fluid isn’t showing the problem anyway.

If you know the answer to this problem please post below otherwise… wish me luck!

One issue that arises quite often in our transmission repair SLC business, is a customer or someone on the phone asking…”How do I check my transmission fluid?”

Since we’ve answered this one a million times, we’ve put together a brief guide to help you accomplish this important maintenance the right way.

First, you’ll want to be sure to perform the check with the engine RUNNING.  The one exception to this is any Honda vehicle, which you should run but then shut off before checking.

Next, set the transmission to PARK.  There is one exception – any Dodge vehicle which should be set in neutral with the “E” brake set.

Now, go ahead and pull out the dipstick.  In doubt as to which one is the transmission fluid?  Be sure to check your vehicle’s owners manual!

Alright – next, grab a rag you won’t mind getting dirty, and wipe the dipstick completely clean.

Now, put back the dipstick.  Make sure to insert it fully.  Then, remove it and take a look at what the level/reading is. 

Okay pay attention this is important…now REPEAT what you just did and make sure the reading is the same! 

NOTE:  Make sure the dipstick is displaying the same reading on each side of the dipstick.  The reason to do this is that when the fluid flows back into the pan where the dipstick is taking it’s measurement, sometimes it sloshes around and causes the reading to be higher on one side.  So, if the two sides show different readings, you’ll want to repeat the pull-wipe-reinsert process until they are the same. 

 More great tips that will help you get it right: 

• If you have put more transmission fluid into the vehicle somewhat recently, then you may want to repeat the check 5-8 times & ensure the reading stays consistent.  now and then fluid will stick to the transmission’s filler tube and cause the first few readings to be inaccurate. 
•  So when you took the reading, did the fluid level show as being low?  Then unfortunately you DEFINITELY have a leak of some kind.  Transmissions don’t consume or burn away fluid.  If the transmission fluid level is low, it’s because it’s leaking out somewhere.  Bring it to an expert transmission repair mechanic and have it fixed so you can head off a FAR more high-priced repair down the road. 
• Questions about transmission fluid that are still burning to be answered?  Discover more about transmission fluid on our Salt Lake City transmission repair shoponline.