What Happens If I Run Out of Transmission Fluid?

Mar 7, 2018 | Blog, Transmissions

What Are the Risks of Running Out of Transmission Fluid?

Letting your car continuously leak transmission fluid puts both you, and your car at risk. Low transmission fluid results in excessive wear and tear, which causes the transmission to run hot, and eventually fail. If you think you have a transmission fluid leak, don’t wait until it’s too late – bring your car into the experts at your nearest AAMCO Colorado location before your leak turns into a costly repair.

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1. What is Transmission Fluid?

2. Running Low on Transmission Fluid

3. What if I Run Out of Transmission Fluid?

4. AAMCO Can Help!

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First – What is Transmission Fluid?

Transmission fluid keeps the gears of your transmission moving smoothly.

Most people are familiar with engine oil – after all, oil changes are a frequent part of car maintenance. Transmission fluid is a little less known – although just as important. Transmission fluid keeps all the parts inside your gearbox – your car’s transmission – from grinding as they move. Transmission fluid allows your car to shift with ease. There are several different types of transmission fluids and it is best to follow the advice of your owner’s manual or a trusted AAMCO mechanic for which type is best for your car.

Related: What is Transmission Fluid?

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Running Low on Transmission Fluid

If a leak develops in your transmission system causing you to lose transmission fluid and you continue driving with low fluid levels you can permanently damage your car’s transmission leading to costly repairs, rebuilds or replacements depending on the amount of damage.

Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluid

There are a few easily identifiable symptoms that you may be running low on transmission fluid including:

  • Warning Lights: You will see a dashboard warning light indicating that your transmission fluid temperature is hotter than normal.
  • Smell: If you start to notice a burning smell – especially a sweet or tart burning smell this could indicate the need to check your transmission fluid level.
  • Trouble Shifting: If you begin to have problems when shifting such as a delay when getting into gear this is a sign that something in wrong with your transmission system.
  • Color: If your transmission fluid has turned a brown color this is a clear indicator of a problem – transmission fluid is typically a clear red color.
  • Puddles: If you are noticing puddles forming under your car of red liquid then this is most likely a transmission fluid leak.

You can easily check the levels of transmission fluid by pulling the transmission dipstick. Refer to your owner’s manual for location of the dipstick and the right levels to look for. If you have low fluid levels, you’ll need to add more fluid.

Related: Checking Your Transmission Fluid

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Keep Your Car Running with proper levels of Transmission Fluid

No matter the season, AAMCO Colorado is staying open, practicing safe healthy measures, in order to provide essential car maintenance and diagnostic services to help our communities. Stay safe, and get your car maintained here.

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What if I Run Out of Transmission Fluid?

If you completely run out of transmission fluid it is likely that your car will not drive at all – especially if it an automatic transmission car.

One of the functions of transmission fluid in an automatic car is to provide a coupling between the engines output and your transmission so without fluid there is no coupling and the car won’t be able to move.

If you do let your transmission fluid get to the point where it has completely run out then it is very likely you will be looking at extensive repairs, or even a full replacement of your transmission as the metal gears inside will be damaged.

Related: Reasons Your Transmission Is Overheating

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AAMCO Colorado is Here to Help with Summer Car Care

At AAMCO Colorado we start off all of our transmission services with our Vehicle Courtesy Check – if your transmission problem can be solved with a simple fluid change or our Power Purge® service then that is what we will recommend. Our certified transmission experts will never suggest a transmission repair or rebuild that you don’t need.

If you are having transmission troubles find your local AAMCO Colorado and call or book online today to visit us today.

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38 Comments

  1. Tammara Bridges on May 10, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    Car leaked transmission fluids did not know drive car now it won’t move have i damaged the transmission i have a hose leak.

  2. Timeka Pettway on May 17, 2018 at 6:43 am

    My car will start but moves slow when driving can you tell me what’s going on

  3. Ricardo on June 4, 2018 at 1:11 pm

    My car a 1996 Mitsubishi lancer it fail to accelerate if I am driving at 10 to 20 mph it change out perfect but once I start to accelerator it won’t past 20 mph until my rpm reaches 3000 to 3500 before it changed out. have you any idea of the problem/s because its drinking fuel like crazy

  4. AAMCO Colorado on July 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Hi Ricardo,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  5. AAMCO Colorado on July 2, 2018 at 6:37 pm

    Hi Timeka,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  6. AAMCO Colorado on July 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    Hi Tammara,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  7. William mccardell on August 4, 2018 at 5:02 am

    All the c.v.t fluid leaked out my 2014 Nissan maxima THERE were no c.v.t light indicators just had radiator replaced

  8. AAMCO Colorado on August 21, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Hi,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  9. Donald Belluscio on August 27, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I have a 99 dodge dakota. My wife was driving it and it stopped moving, it doesn’t matter what gear it’s in. It won’t move. There is a leak from the pan, I mean the whole bottom of the pan is wet. Could it be to low on fluid to cause this to happen?

  10. Omar on September 15, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    hello, so i have a ford explorer 2008 and i drove it for like 6 hours so apparently my car was leaking and i didn’t know until the next morning so all the fuild so i noticed all the leak when i woke up i toke it to a shop and they stopped the leak and poured fuild and everything is perfect but when i droved the car it would go until 80, 100 and then i have to push the rpm really hard so i can go above 100 and the car was shaking bellow me so what could this be ?

  11. Posani on September 21, 2018 at 12:15 am

    My car cuts off if I reduce speed or stop at give way sign. When engine is started it vibrates. It’s a Toyota vitz 2007 version. What are the possible reasons.

  12. April T Hawthorne on September 22, 2018 at 8:35 am

    I had to put transmission fluid in it three bottles and it after a while came on but when we park it for a while it went off and started back up after 30 minutes again

  13. AAMCO Colorado on October 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    Donald,
    Thanks for your question, if you think you are experiencing a transmission fluid leak, it is crucial to have this assessed and repaired immediately. One way to tell is if a clear red fluid is coming out of the bottom of the pan. We suggest coming into one of your local AAMCO Colorado service centers where our expert technicians can run a FREE diagnostic scan on your vehicle to diagnose your problem and get your back on the road fast.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  14. AAMCO Colorado on October 9, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    HI Omar,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  15. AAMCO Colorado on October 9, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    Hi Posani,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  16. Marcel Agboga on November 1, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    My transmission did not leak but was not charged with 250,000 miles. Now it is almost not moving. So what do I do? M

  17. AAMCO Colorado on November 5, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Hi Marcel,
    Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
    Thanks!
    Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado

  18. Brianconrad on November 29, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Ihave a 1996 Dodge Ram
    1500 2 wheel automatic.when i put it in drive it doesn’t move.

  19. AAMCO Colorado on December 21, 2018 at 11:04 am

    Brian,
    We suggest asking your question through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local, stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  20. Juan Johnson on December 26, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    I have a 2011 dodge caravan I pulled into a parking lot my van got stuck over some thing i think it put a whole in my transmission pan, and leaked out oil now van will start but will not pull forward or reverse

  21. Kevin mitchell on January 2, 2019 at 8:14 am

    If you have low transmission fluid will your car or SUV move

  22. AAMCO Colorado on January 17, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    Kevin,
    While it is possible that your car may still move with low transmission fluid, you could cause serious damage to your transmission if you are driving around with low fluid levels. This could result in a very costly repair. We suggest bringing your car into an AAMCO Colorado location ASAP, where one of our technicians can check your fluid levels and replace if necessary.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  23. AAMCO Colorado on January 17, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    Juan,
    We suggest asking your question through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local, stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  24. Karen on January 19, 2019 at 11:34 pm

    Had to drive in neutral would not drive in the drive mold I believe it’s my transmission

  25. Karen on January 19, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    Not knowing what’s wrong with my Pontiac Grand Prix 175000 miles

  26. AAMCO Colorado on January 24, 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Karen,
    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

  27. AAMCO Colorado on January 24, 2019 at 5:19 pm

    Karen,
    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

  28. Jaime on February 6, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    Working on a project car and have a 4L60E transmission. Had test driven it before and was shifting fine. Added an external transmission cooler and test drove it about 2 months later and now not getting a 2-3 shift. It seems like the gear went into neutral. Came back checked the fluid and was on the cold end of the stick. Topped off the fluid and drove back out but still does the same. I only drove a couple of miles. Could I have burned something out? Also, would having a kink in the hard line of the transmission cooling lines be an issue possibly not providing enough flow to the transmission?

  29. Phillip Burks on February 9, 2019 at 8:15 am

    Noticed my 92 GMC Sierra was driving a little differently, so i decided to check the trans fluid.. It was bone dry.. Probably checked it a week or 2 before and it was completely full… It has not been leaking.. How is this possible? It only took 3 quarts to fill back up, but is that low enough to cause any damage?

  30. AAMCO Colorado on February 12, 2019 at 11:54 am

    Jamie,
    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 Colorad

  31. AAMCO Colorado on February 12, 2019 at 12:02 pm

    Phillip,
    We always suggest following your owners manual for recommended fluid levels. Since the transmission is a closed system, being out of fluid indicates a leak or other issue. While we can’t diagnose your vehicle online, having too little transmission fluid can cause serious damage to your car. We suggest stopping by one of our 14 Colorado service centers for a free vehicle courtesy check where we can identify any issues with your car.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  32. Josh on February 25, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    I was driving on the highway and my gas pedal stop working when i pulled over and stopped cut the car off tried to start it back up it wouldnt start but my lights and everything else comes on i dont have leak i noticed i didnt have no transmission fluid

  33. AAMCO Colorado on February 26, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    Josh,
    This could indicate a number of problems with 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.

    Thanks,
    AAMCO Colorado

  34. Darrien Hansen on January 3, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Thanks for mentioning that a sweet burning smell could be a sign that your transmission has insufficient fluid. I remember my friend telling me that his car has been leaving behind red liquid ever since he got back from his camping trip, and a recent burning smell in his garage has made him too nervous to drive it anymore. Now that I know that his transmission could be leaking, I’ll let him know.

  35. AAMCO Colorado on January 28, 2020 at 10:49 am

    Darrien,
    We are glad that you found this article informative. If your friend is 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

  36. Kaps on March 31, 2020 at 11:46 am

    BMW 318i e46 Car takes long to pick up when you press on the fuel peddle in drive gear and now the transmission light is on in red.please help

  37. AAMCO Colorado on April 14, 2020 at 11:51 am

    Kaps,
    An issue with your fuel peddle could indicate a number of issues, including issues within both your transmission systems and fuel 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

  38. Dru on August 27, 2021 at 5:08 pm

    I have a 2012 Ford Focus and when I put my car in drive it doesn’t move at first then it eventually moves . Does it need more transmission fluid

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