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What Happens If I Run Out of Transmission Fluid?

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.

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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

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

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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View Comments (38)

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

  • 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

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

  • 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?

    • 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

  • 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 ?

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

    • 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

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