Shocking as it may sound, many car owners have yet to become more familiar with transmission fluid (ATF and MTF). Local mechanics mainly refer to TF as gearbox oil. If this is the case, how can one know how much transmission fluid one needs?
Just like engine oil provides lubrication for a car engine, so does transmission fluid to the car transmission system. With these registered, every car owner needs to answer this question, how much transmission fluid do I need? Or at least have an idea of what it is all about.
How do I know how much transmission fluid I need?
Appreciating the importance of transmission fluid isn’t enough, but ascertaining how much fluid needed is crucial. This is because too much or too low transmission fluid will not just cost you pain but also money and time to fix.
The amount of TF needed differs from car to car, so depending on the vehicle and the manufacturer’s specifications, the information will be contained in the instructive manual. However ever, local car dealer’s workshops nearby would be a perfect place to visit. Then also, with the right googling skill, the right amount of the TF can be known from google.
How much transmission fluid does a car hold?
The quantity of transmission fluid (TF) a car can hold is dependent on a number of variables. They are listed as follows:
- The size and capacity of the car
- The number of cylinders of the engine.
The size and capacity of the car
The size and capacity of the car determine how much transmission fluid it can hold. A small car will definitely hold a smaller quantity when compared to its bigger counterpart. For instance, most small cars are powered by a small engine and vice versa.
Small cars with less capacity use about 5-8 quarts of TF, while trucks and special-purpose heavy-duty delivery vans with high fluid capacity uses about 12-20 quarts of transmission fluid.
The number of cylinders in the engine
The number of cylinders is another deciding factor. For instance, how many quarts of transmission fluid do I need for a four-cylinder engine? Generally, four-cylinder engines have smaller torque and thus use about 7.9251616 quarts of transmission fluid.
Another question is how many quarts of transmission fluid do I need for a (six) 6 or 8-cylinder engine? The watchword here is torque. It is the determining factor in how much transmission fluid is required. For (six) 6-cylinder engines, it needs about 8.4535057 quarts of TF, while the 8-cylinder engine would consume about 8.9818498 quarts.
However, the above is stated on a broad base and experience, but for more specification and precision, the owner’s manual should be consulted if available.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q: How much transmission fluid do I add if low?
Low transmission fluid has an adverse effect on the transmission system. Wear and tear of fiber, and general overheating of the system results in a total breakdown of an automatic transmission system. The dipstick comes in handy to determine just exactly how much more transmission fluid is required.
So depending on how drained the transmission system is, the perfect guide is how much transmission fluid is on the dipstick. The markings on the lower part of the dipstick serve as a gauge to tackle this challenge.
Q: How many liters of transmission fluid do I need?
Most cars specify on the owner’s manual how much transmission fluid is required. Most cars, such as sedan, family cars, convertibles, and roadster, uses between 1.8 quarts to 10.6 quarts.
This question pops up in many situations, like for a newly replaced torque converter or a previously used one. The quantity of TF will undoubtedly differ. A new torque converter would consume more liters of ATF and vice versa.
Q: Can I just top up the transmission fluid?
First, from a mechanic’s point of view, managing fluid leakage in a car for a long time is wrong. Be it engine oil, power steering fluid, or transmission fluid. Uneven topping up of TF occasionally harms the transmission system because it causes more damage to the car, and the possibility of the car breaking down in the middle of nowhere is high, thereby exposing not just the car owner but also the passengers to risk.
However, topping up transmission fluid when there is a shortage is necessary, but adequate care must be taken to ensure the correct transmission fluid is used as most people tend to need clarification on engine oil and transmission fluid. Also to bear in mind is the transmission fluid capacity of the gearbox.
Q: Can old transmission fluid cause a problem?
There is no doubt about the possibility of this question accounting for a handful of problems associated with transmission failures. It is essential to note the harmful effect of overusing transmission fluid. The possible consequences are as follows:
- Loss of lubrication ability leads to friction
- Overheating leads to the grinding of moving parts
- Poor and rugged gear engagement leads to gear slipping
- Sometimes, difficulties in engaging the reverse gear
With the above stated, it is evident that old transmission fluid can cause problems to the transmission system and the engine and create more expense for the car owner.
However, how many years does a transmission fluid last? Most automobile parts, systems, and transmission fluids are measured in mileage as against the duration of years. Practically, a car used for transportation business can cover about a thousand miles in a few weeks compared to a private vehicle used for just office work.
With this in mind, pay proper attention to the mileage. Generally, most transmission fluids ought to be changed at least after every 60,000 miles (sixty thousand). Visit a mechanic workshop to find out more about the mileage.
Final Words
It demands expertise and precision to replace transmission fluid successfully. In most cases involving automatic transmission, it seems easier to replace than the manual counterpart. The solution to the question “how much transmission fluid do I need?” is embedded explicitly in the manufacturer’s manual.
With basic technical knowledge and skills, car owners can determine the quantity needed for the top-up through the amount of transmission fluid on the dipstick gauge, which determines the quantity required for the top-up. What if it is over-gauged by mistake? There are solutions to that through the bottom sump nut. But to avoid getting under the car for this, visit a car dealer shop near your location for a professional to handle it.
