We hate to say it here at Crossroads Automotive but if your transmission fluid is pink, you have some serious damage underneath the hood. The transmission fluid turns from red to pink when it is diluted by engine coolant. This happens if the engine develops a severe leak between the cooling system and the transmission. Do not drive your automobile if the transmission fluid is pink. Doing so will cause unnecessary damage to the transmission over and above its existing damage.
It Should Be Red
Ideally, you always want to see bright red and translucent transmission fluid in the transmission. This color and the translucency point to healthy transmission fluid that is clean and cleaning the transmission. Aside from cleaning the transmission, the transmission fluid also protects moving parts. In addition, the fluid helps the transmission shift gears because it is a hydraulic fluid. If your transmission fluid is red and translucent, it is fine. It does not need to be changed.
Orange Is Okay, Too
The fluid is also okay if it is orange or light brown. Provided the fluid is still see-through, it is still doing an excellent job of protecting the transmission and helping it through the gear shift cycle. You can get more miles out of orange or light brown transmission fluid. It does not need to be changed at this stage. This being said, you are on the road to a fluid flush and refill soon. Keep and I on your transmission fluid, or, better yet, track the mileage since your last fluid change.
Brown Is Bad
The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles. If this doesn’t happen, the transmission fluid will turn brown and opaque. This color change and translucency change is an indication that the transmission fluid has started to oxidize. Oxidation occurs when the fluid starts to get tiny air bubbles in it. Unfortunately, these air bubbles prevent the fluid from being able to protect the transmission. They can also affect how well the transmission shifts through the gear cycle. It’s important to have the transmission fluid changed immediately if it is brown.
Black Is Worse
If the transmission fluid continues to oxidize, it will turn black. When this happens, you could actually damage your transmission if you do not have the fluid changed. In fact, your transmission will start to overheat and have problems shifting the gears.
As we mentioned above, Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, can change your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles to ensure it is always bright red and translucent. Give us a call today.