How to Check Transmission Fluid

Next, you'll want to locate your dipstick, which may be in a few places under your hood, depending on your specific car. If you have an inline engine, you'll want to look closer to the windshield, behind your oil dipstick.

Alternatively, many cars with front-wheel drive have the transmission dipstick right next to the oil one, usually near the battery. You can read your owner's manual for a bit more information about your car's specific layout.

We also recommend gloves for this part of the process, as the transmission fluid could get on your hands and stain your skin. Keep those digits pristine with the help of a pair of gloves!

Finally, in our guide on how to check transmission fluid, let's talk about the color your fluid should be. We recommend looking before you close your hood to ensure your fluid is at peak performance.

Grab a paper towel or another white surface and place the dipstick on it. That way, the contrast will make it easier to see the color of your transmission fluid. Ideally, the color should be somewhere from a light red to a pinkish color. If that's what you see, your fluid is in good shape.

What about if your transmission fluid is a brownish red or a darker color bordering on black? That's a sign that it's time to replace your fluid and freshen up your transmission.