Transmission fluid is something that many people overlook, but checking it is an important part of routine maintenance. Believe it or not, you can tell a lot about your transmission by the color of the fluid. One of the signs that something is not quite right is if your transmission fluid is black.

 

What Color Should Transmission Fluid Be?

Normally, transmission fluid is red and transparent. If you check your transmission fluid and it has these characteristics, it’s a good sign that it’s on the newer side. Your transmission should be in working order, and you don’t need to worry about getting it serviced just yet.

 

That said, if your transmission fluid is any color other than translucent red, it warrants further investigation. If it’s black transmission fluid, you should have it looked at right away.

 

Why Does Transmission Fluid Turn Black?

 

Transmission fluid doesn’t turn black overnight. It actually takes a long time for the fluid to go from red to black, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to catch a problem before it happens. If you don’t take the time to look at the color of your transmission fluid, you might not notice that it’s black until it’s too late.

 

So, why does transmission fluid turn black? One reason is that it’s old. The red fluid changes colors gradually, going from red to light brown to dark brown and then black.

 

Transmission fluid may also turn black if it is burnt. Burnt transmission fluid develops over time and can happen if you keep driving your car with a low transmission fluid level.

 

Signs of burnt transmission fluid are pretty easy to pick up on if you know what to look for. The inside of your car may smell like it’s burning because the transmission is overheating and the smell is traveling through the ventilation system. You may see transmission fluid leaking or feel like the gears aren’t shifting smoothly.

 

What to Do If Your Find Black Transmission Fluid

 

Driving around with black transmission fluid is a bad idea, but if you’re not paying attention, you might not realize that your transmission fluid is black in the first place. If you know what black transmission fluid can do to your car, you should understand why you should pay attention to it.

 

Black transmission fluid can cause the gears in your transmission to slip, making it difficult to drive your car. You may hear weird noises coming from under the hood, and eventually, it might start leaking, making a mess all over your driveway or garage.

 

If black fluid damages the transmission, which it is likely to do, you may have to fix or replace your car’s transmission. The transmission is one of the most important parts of your car, and fixing or replacing it is not a quick or cheap fix.

 

If you discover that your transmission fluid is black, take your car to the garage or a transmission expert for a transmission flush and to have the fluid changed. Regardless of the cause, your mechanic will remove the black fluid from your car and replace it with new.

 

Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that the fluid has already done some damage by the time you discover it. You may want to ask the mechanic to take a look and see if there are any problems and get a transmission repair if needed. Also, there’s a chance that something in your transmission is causing the transmission fluid color to turn black, and the mechanic might be able to identify it before it causes any more problems for your vehicle.

 

Can You Drive a Car that has Black Transmission Fluid?

 

It’s not a good idea to continue driving your car if it has black transmission fluid. If you’re taking it right to the mechanic that’s close by, that’s one thing. But you shouldn’t use it to commute to work or to do errands. The truth is that your car is not safe to drive if it has black transmission fluid, and you should avoid it unless you’re taking it directly to get fixed.

 

A car with black transmission fluid might not be able to shift gears properly, which can cause you a lot of problems on the road. Your car may begin performing unreliably, putting you and everyone on the road around you at risk.

 

How Can You Prevent Black Transmission Fluid?

 

The main thing you can do is make sure you do routine maintenance on your car. Whether you do it yourself or take it to your mechanic, regular maintenance is the best way to prevent problems. While you don’t have to change your transmission fluid as often as you have to change the oil, check your owner’s manual to make sure you follow the recommended schedule.

 

Also, look out for any signs that your transmission fluid is ready to be changed. If you see any leaks or feel that the gears aren’t shifting as well as they once did, take your car in for a service. By being proactive, you might prevent a bigger problem and save yourself a lot of money in the meantime.

 

FAQ’s

 

1. Why would my transmission fluid be black?

Your transmission can be one of the most important components in your car, but it’s easy to forget about maintenance until something goes wrong. If you notice that your fluid has become nearly black or is completely black along with a burnt toast smell – chances are there may already be an underlying issue requiring repairs. Neglecting these symptoms could lead to more expensive repair and replacement costs later on- so take preventative measures now before it’s too late.

 

2. How long can you drive with black transmission fluid?

 

To keep your transmission system in optimal shape, be sure to check it routinely and change the fluid at regular intervals. Many manufacturers suggest a benchmark of 50,000-60,000 miles; however you may need to swap out earlier if specified by your Owner’s Manual.

If your transmission fluid is black – you should get it changed right away.

 

3. What color should transmission fluid be?

 

Vehicle fluids, like transmission fluid, go through quite the transformation during use. Starting as a translucent dark red color when new, over time it will take on an even deeper hue due to its frequent operation in engines and transmissions.

 

4. Can you drive with dirty transmission fluid?

 

Dirty transmission fluid can cause more than a shudder when your transmission shift gears. Without timely maintenance, your vehicle’s performance could suffer and costly gear repair may be required due to increased wear-and-tear on the internal components. Avoid expensive repairs by keeping up with regular servicing.

 

Final Thoughts

 

If you drive around with black fluid in your cars transmission, you can cause a lot of irreversible internal damage to your car. You might even need to get your transmission replaced, which is a very expensive repair. If your car is older, it might not even be worth replacing, which means you may end up needing to buy a whole new car.

 

Paying attention to the color of your transmission fluid can save you a lot of trouble and money. Remember, transmission fluid should be translucent red. It will change over time, slowly becoming light brown or dark brown and then black.

 

If shifting the gears starts to feel different or if you notice a fluid leak, check the cars transmission fluid. If it’s not red and clear, take it to your mechanic for a transmission service. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and being proactive can really save you a lot of trouble in the long run and keep your car in good condition.