Checking the gearbox oil could be a job you didn’t try before, but this article may help you go through the procedure. Gear oil is the lubricant made to protect your car’s transmissions. It also allows the transmission to run without any trouble. However, it protects your car’s internal components, which are vital in its gear systems. It covers the car from heat damage.
If your car is having a late engagement problem or the gearbox oil resulting from 2-3 second delays at the shifting periods, or your vehicle is lurching or vibration issue or having transmission slipping, or grinding, then it’s very much sure that you are in the right place to find the solution.
It’s imperative to ensure your car’s gearbox oil level. It’s also important to check if your car has oil leakage or a transmission gap. That’s why I explained to you how to check gearbox oil level and other related issues.
Let’s get started!
What are the things you must consider while changing your gearbox?
Changing the gearbox varies from vehicle to vehicle according to the car’s model, age, and making structure of the vehicles. The best way to follow is according to your car manual.
What to do with an automatic transmission system?
If you have a car with an automatic transmission, it will require more frequent changes. Most vehicle owners like you should know how to keep their rides worthy for the road. You need to be updated on proper regular maintenance.
For example, oil changing and tire replacement where you should be kept tabs on the automatic transmission. The gears have to handle lots of struggles during the day, such as shifting into drive, reversing or parking etc. As your car is fully dependent on the gears, it becomes the most costly part of the car. That is why it is important to locate the transmission dipstick.
The transmission dipstick is always further back in the engine. The transmission dipstick is marked with a specific color, or it may contain a transmission symbol.
What kinds of parts should the gearbox contain?
The gearbox contains many moving parts. Most of them submerge into the oil, and the others splash. The lubricant is made to prevent the metal to metal contraction. The gearbox must have the capacity to contain high temperature preserving oil. The gearbox oil should not drop between the routine oil changes at about 30,000 miles.
What’s the process for checking the gearbox oil level?
- To have the correct reading of the oil level, you must warm the oil and have to keep the engine running.
- In the beginning, we have to park the vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake to let the engine get warmed. (You may run the vehicle for a short period to make warm the oil)
- Some original equipment manufacturers also suggest circulating the oil before checking by manual.
- You may pop the bonnet and locate the gear oil dipstick that will serve double duty to the fill tube and is often located at the back of the engine.
- Then, you must pull the dipstick and clean it with a cloth. By withdrawing the dipstick again, you can easily check the oil level.
It will be great if you have a long neck funnel with a small diameter opening at the point.
How to do the Draining and refilling of the gearbox?
The best thing you may start at the beginning is to drain out the oil just after a run to warm and flows out quickly. Removing the drain plug is very important at this certain time. You can easily locate it under the gearbox. It is a properly fitting tool. Another thing that you need to consider is that the plug should fit the filler plug.
When should the gearbox change?
If your vehicle doesn’t have any lifetime monitoring system that alerts the requirement of change in the gearbox, you must change it manually. Manual gearboxes require to change from 30,000 to 50,000 miles. On the other hand, the automatic gearbox takes 60,000 to 100,000 miles to change. That’s how you may get the idea of when you should change the gearbox.
How to check the Fluid Condition?
Now let’s see the dipstick on a white surface. For example, paper towels can be used. Then you have to analyze the color of the fluid. The transmission fluid condition is also essential to consider the color significantly. It’s essential to understand the fluid condition. Because without a proper idea of this may lead you to the wrong decisions.
If the fluid is healthy, you will see a reddish-pink color in its components. If it needs to replace, it will turn brownish-red. If the fluid has a dark brown color, it needs to change the oil right now. Having the dark liquid with an embarrassing odor leads to bad news.
Final Words
It is important to replace your braking fluid on time. Otherwise, there is a high probability that you have fallen into big trouble. To avoid any kind of risks, you must maintain the gap between your change of braking fluid.
But it is not impossible that transmission could have a premature mechanical issue like any other component on the vehicle. If the fluid is low, it doesn’t mean that headed for danger. It also means that your system may contain some leak that needs to repair or may need to replace so that you can have a proper gearbox to support the engine.
Transmission fluid needs to fill up regularly. And also needs to check their fluid level. Because it is the most sensitive part of your car contains. Hopefully, this article helps you to answer how to check gearbox oil level? This is important for you to maintain this gearbox oil and have a safe journey.
If the fluid is black, then it is the engine oil, and if it is water, then it is very much condensation from the air-conditioning system. Meanwhile, that’s how the procedure goes where you may come to know about the checking methods and manuals to check the oil level in the gearbox.

Hi, my name is Gabrielle. I have been into Automotive Industry for over 15 years. If you’re anything like me, then building, maintaining and improving your Automotive Industry/Projects is all part of the Automotive experience.
My goal with this blog is to share my experience with and help you discover new and exciting things about Automotive.