Car transmissions are delicate mechanisms.
Each car has its own recommendations from the manufacturer on which transmission fluid your car needs.
Some transmission fluids are very incompatible with different transmission types as they use different additives in the fluids. Your car transmission needs the correct fluid, as specified by your car manufacturer, to run correctly and to the fullest length of life.
While it’s not uncommon for someone to mix up which fluids should go in their car, putting the wrong transmission fluid in your car could be your vehicles fast pass to an early grave.
Types of Transmission Fluid
There are several different variables to take into account when it comes to transmission fluid. You first must know if your car requires automatic or manual transmission fluid. Then determine if your car is an automatic transmission if it has a continuously variable transmission. You should always follow your manufactures specifications on which fluid is right for your car.
Related: What is Transmission Fluid?
Automatic Transmission Fluid vs. Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
Automatic transmission fluid is fluid that is used in cars that have automatic (self-shifting) transmissions. This fluid is optimized for use in automatic gearboxes that consist of a hydraulic pump, gears, disks, and bands.
Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid (CVT)
A continuously variable transmission is a type of automatic transmission vehicle. This type of transmission can change seamlessly through a continuous range of gears. It is able to do this by running on a series of pulleys connected with a steal band, rather than a fixed set of gears. CVT transmissions require CVT fluid. This fluid has friction modifiers that allow the belts to grip the pulleys.
Related: 5 Types of Transmissions
What Happens if You Use the Wrong Transmission Fluid
The most common situation where the wrong transmission fluid is used is in the case of using automatic transmission fluid in place of variable transmission fluid and vice versa. Adding ATF to a to a CVT will eventually result in the death of your transmission.
Warning Signs
There are a few warning signs that you can look for to indicate that you have used the wrong fluid in your transmission including:
- Strange engine sounds such as clunking
- Stalling after changing gears
- Gears that won’t shift
- Rough shifting
- Gears that slip
- Clutch locking up
So How Long Do I Have?
If you accidentally put ATF into a CTV the rate at which it will die is directly related to the ratio of fluids. In a CVT transmission, it is impossible to drain all of the CVT fluid. If you have accidentally added ATF, your transmission would then contain a mixture of ATF and CVT fluids. Your CVT transmission will still function for a period of time since it is a mixture of both fluids and there will still be enough friction for the CVT transmission to work for a while. Eventually, however, permanent damage will occur and you have to rebuild your transmission.
Related: Transmission Rebuild vs. Replace
What to Do If You’ve Used the Wrong Transmission Fluid
If you have used the wrong transmission fluid you will need to remove that fluid as soon as possible to try to minimize the amount of damage to your transmission. If your car has already been driving with the wrong fluid for many miles it is possible you will need to replace your transmission outright as too much damage has already been done.
Transmission Flush vs Transmission Change
Transmission Change
In a transmission change (sometimes known as transmission service) the transmission fluid pan is drained and the filter is replaced. Transmission changes do NOT remove all of the transmission fluid from the car and often times up to half of the fluid can remain. If you have contaminated your transmission fluid with the wrong fluid, this is not going to be the right choice for your car as the new fluid will simple get contaminated by the remaining old fluid.
Transmission Flush
A transmission flush is where all of the old fluid from your transmission is removed via a cooler line flush machine or pump inlet flush machine. Once all of the old fluid has been removed, entirely new transmission fluid is added. In the situation where you have put the wrong transmission fluid into your car, a transmission flush is going to be a better option than a transmission change.
Related: Benefits of a Transmission Fluid Flush
Transmission Maintenance and Repair with AAMCO Colorado
Having transmission problems? Transmission contaminated? Not sure which transmission fluid is right for your car? Your local AAMCO Colorado transmission technician can help with your transmission repair and maintenance needs.
Schedule an appointment to bring your car to your local AAMCO Colorado location today.
I accidentally used aft in my cvt. Drove 200 miles. Drained and filled twice with correct fluid. Flush not recommended. Seems fine now. Will change again in 500 miles. Any other suggestions?
Hi Darren,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
I used CVT instead of Nissan Matic J now the reverse gear is not working
Can I use CVT trasmission fluid on my 1999 3.3L 4×4 pathfinder?
I have a 2002 Ford Focus when I change the transmission filter I accidentally bought Mercon 3 instead of Mercon V so as the car was not shifting appropriately I didn’t drive it very much but I’m going to say at least a thousand miles to 1500 miles anyways so then I changed the fluid through the Mercon V and the filter the car is starting to shift better what should I do.
Hi Jessica,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi Bobby,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Please I have Hyundai elantra 2006 American spec’s I might have wrongly use transmission fluid,kindly recommend best and type of fluid.thanks
Hi i have toyota yaris 1999 model 1.0 liters it is semi autometic. Few weeks ago i have change my transmision fluid now my cars gear is not working.i ask from the shopkeeper that my car is semi autometic but he gave me menual fluid what should i do now.
I accidentally use gear oil for manual to automatic what will happen to my car because the viscosity is not same
I changed the filter in my 4R70W transmission and put 5 liters of dexron 3 instead of mercon 5. I only drove the vehicle less than 200 km. will it have done damage to the transmission?
Hi Wayne,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi Jerry,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi Reza,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi Peter,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
I used mercon 3 in a 97 Ford Explorer it call for mercon 5. Will that hurt my trans
Hi Dave,
Thanks for using the Ask a Mechanic form – we sent response via email to you. Although it’s always best to use the manufacturer’s recommended fluid, that should not hurt your transmission.
Best,
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
I accidentally used mercon in my car where it takes something called drexon or something like that..I have hardly any power when taking off but once it gets going then it seems fine what should I do I only put a quart and at the time it absolutely had no transmission fluid in it and I drove 89 miles home and I’m afraid to start it again
what happens if we use CVT instead of ATF
My son in law put ATF fluid instead of CVT, should we flush or drain fluid out, only been driven about 10 miles
Hi am was wondering I drive a suzuki ciaz and the manufacturer requires to use AW-1 transmission oil but are they any compatible oils out there? Am seeing amzoil AW-1 transmission oil 3309/3317 suzuki amongst other code for different vehicles.
I accidentally put CVT fluid in my 2003 H2 Hummer tranny.Will it hurt it? Whatnoe
Hi,
Thanks so much for your question, as detailed in the article above, using the wrong transmission fluid can result in the death of your car. If you think that you have used the wrong fluid in your car then we suggest scheduling an appointment with your local AAMCO Colorado location ASAP to have your car checked out!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi,
Thanks so much for your question, as detailed in the article above, using the wrong transmission fluid can result in the death of your car. If you think you have put the wrong fluid into your car you will need a complete transmission fluid flush to remove all of the fluid and then replace it entirely with the correct fluid.
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi,
Thanks so much for your question, as detailed in the article above, using the wrong transmission fluid can result in the death of your car. If your car is not a CVT then that will not be the right fluid. You should check with your owners manual to see which fluid your car needs. If you think you have put the wrong fluid into your car you will need a complete transmission fluid flush to remove all of the fluid and then replace it entirely with the correct fluid.
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
I accidentally put atf in my transmission that calls for atf4 do I need to do anything I only added 1 qt of it
Hi Derek,
It is always recommended to use the transmission fluid that is specified in your owners manual for your car. Using the wrong transmission fluid can irreversibly damage your car. While we can’t say for sure what will happen in this specific case just from reading about it online, we do recommend having it looked at by your local AAMCO Colorado location right away.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Hi, I accidentally mixed about 1 L of gear oil for manual (SAE 75W-90) to automatic -instead of ATF what will happen to my car? (Chevy Trailblazer 2002 ).
Thanks for yr help
Is there a way to tell if the fluid is wrong. Dexton 2 or three how can a person tell if it is wrong? I have had my trans fluid and the screw on filter changed. My trans to be shifting different,and it is running hotter than ever. My moter oil is at 29% after 3500 miles. I am now at 40% at 5000 miles. What has happened?
Zah,
It is always best to follow the owners manual of your vehicle and use the recommended fluid. Using the wrong transmission fluid can cause your transmission to fail and take on irreparable damage. If you have used the wrong transmission fluid, we suggest scheduling an appointment with your local AAMCO Colorado service center right away and one of our expert technicians can help you with the next steps.
Thanks, AAMCO Colorado
Timothy,
While we can’t say for sure without seeing your vehicle, it certainly sounds like there could be a mix up in the fluid or another transmission issue you may want to have checked out. We suggest coming into one of our AAMCO Colorado Service centers for a free diagnostic scan.
Thanks
AAMCO Colorado
Hello I mistakenly poured fluid for manual into my automatic transmission. I have driven it for a week, what do I do?
I had my transmission cvt oil change and when the temperature is below 35 I have problems with the transmission is it possible that they put the wrong oil in. When warm the transmission is ok
Hello Fino,
If you have put the wrong transmission fluid into your car, we suggest coming into your local AAMCO Colorado for a transmission fluid flush – where we will drain out all of the incorrect fluid, check for any damage and put the right transmission fluid into your car. It’s easy to schedule online!
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Raymond,
While it’s hard for us to diagnose your exact problem online, we would be happy to do a free vehicle courtesy check at any of our 14 AAMCO Colorado locations to help you determine the problem with your vehicle. If you did put the wrong fluid into your transmission you will want to come in for a transmission flush ASAP! Good luck!
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I accidentally filled GL5 instead of LV Mercon for my Mazda BT-50b(Auto). What is the worse situation might happen if I drove it for around 50/100 miles?
Noel,
The wrong transmission fluid can irreparably damage your car and it is best to have a flush ASAP. We suggest coming into your local AAMCO service center where our technicians can get you back on the road fast.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hi guys. I have a honda cirty 1.5e with paddle shifters 2010 model i dont know if is cvt . I putted 1 litter or atf . And i ran it for 35km . Can it be fix just by flushing or draining or what?
Btw im from the Philippines
Jeo,
We know it can be frustrating not knowing what is wrong with your car. AAMCO is here to help! We suggest asking any specific questions through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I filled my Toyota Surf differential with ATF instead of the normal gear oil I have recently discovered that my rear seals are leaking but the car moves fine could there be any further damage I intend flushing it
Babaki,
It is always suggested to use the correct transmission fluid for your car, or you risk serious and permanent damage. We suggest asking any specific questions through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
How much do you guys cgeage for transmission flush
Rachel,
We suggest contacting your nearest AAMCO Colorado center directly for questions on pricing. We have 14 locations throughout the Colorado front range.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hi I took my car to get a new cluth and the mechanic put automatic transmission fluid I’m my car and its a standard transmission. Know my car will not shift gears and it stalls out. My cluth is now not working. My qualification is it running like this cause of the type of transmission fluid that was put in
Carmen,
While your car may run for a limited time when the wrong fluid has been put in, it will eventually reach a catastrophic failure. If the wrong fluid has been added to your car we suggest coming in for a diagnostic scan and fluid flush immediately.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello,
I recently replaced the TCC in my transmission for my 2008 Saturn VUE. We had to drain the fluid that was in my trans. We replaced the fluid with Dex/Merc instead of Dexron VI which is what the spec for my vehicle calls for. The Dex/Merc was cheaper and in bulk compared to Dexron VI. I didn’t think it would be a problem since the Dex/Merc said it was compatible with GM and Ford builds. Am I okay?
Thanks!
Cameron,
Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello,
I drive a Toyota corolla 2007, i mistakenly used Dex/Merc fluid for the transmission instead of T-IV and i have drove it for a year now before realizing i have been using the wrong oil, can i flush and then revert to using T-IV?
The line was removed from the transmission to the radiator we didn’t know it car wouldn’t go so we put type f in wene it takes dxl runs up to second gear and radiator runs hot when cars off will it fix the problem with a flush and new filter and proper fluid
Richard,
If you have discovered that you are using the wrong oil or transmission fluid it is best to get this flushed and replaced with the correct fluids right away to avoid lasting and costly damage to your car. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Gre,
Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I accidently used NS-2 cvt fluid for my nissan quest 2015 when the right cvt fluid is NS-3 CVT fluid….will this be problem since both are cvt fluids unlike the other ones
Habibur,
Using any transmission fluid other than the one suggested by your owners manual can run a risk of damaging your car. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello,I mistakenly used the the wrong automatic transmission fluid oil for my kia cerato car and drove for 2 weeks and now the gear is not responding charply and to some extent it stop until I place it back to reverse gear and later put it into drive before moving and it do that at times with noise. ..Pls what is the next solutions to do…..
Julius,
If you have put the wrong transmission fluid in your car you need to visit a trusted mechanic right away, putting the wrong fluid into your car can irreversibly damage your transmission. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
i had a shop change my transmission fluid on my 04 dodge dakota they put multi purpose atf in it ive had it in there for at least 500 miles is it safe to run that
Nathan
You should always consult your vehicle owners manual and a trusted mechanic to determine the types of fluids your car requires. Unfortunately, we can not give a recommendation on specific fluids for a specific make and model unless we see the vehicle in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have as well as advise you on transmission fluid services and more. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hi,my name is Petrus, i accidentally used ATF fluid instead of CVT in my automatic Honda fit,so it takes a while to take off, max-30 minutes
So my question is if i pour the correct fluid will my car be ok or should i start looking for a new transmission?!
Petrus,
Typically if the wrong fluid has been put into your transmission system you will need a transmission fluid flush to correct the issue, simply pouring new liquid in could create a larger issue within your transmission system. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I used aft castrol high mileage on my 2012 Nissian Altima and didn’t realize it. Now I’ve drained it all out and and now putting in Valvoline cvt and used 6 quarts have I caused any damage to my car?
Tikeela,
If you think you have put the wrong transmission fluid into your car, we highly suggest seeing a qualified mechanic to diagnose if any damage has occured, and they will likely suggest a full fluid flush. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 15 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. If you have additional questions, be sure to check out our “Ask a Mechanic” feature, where you can email in your question to one of our AAMCO Colorado mechanics.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I have a question
Hi Joel, What is your question? Or, if you’d like to speak with one of our certified technicians, feel free to reach out to the closest location to you: https://www.aamcocolorado.com/locations/
I had my transmission fluid changed in my 2009 Versa. The mechanic said the last mechanic put CVT transmission fluid in my transmission. I was wondering when they drained the fluid how can they tell the difference in the CVT or regular fluid?