How Do You Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Level?

March 16th, 2026 by Dealership

To stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance, you may wonder, “How do you check automatic transmission fluid level and when should you?” You can easily check your fluid level with your dipstick, and this should be done monthly. Here’s everything you need to know about checking your automatic transmission fluid, courtesy of North Penn Mazda.

Prepping Your Car

First, you need to ensure that your vehicle is parked and on a flat, level surface, which ensures that your transmission fluid is properly distributed to the tank for inspection. Then, turn your Mazda vehicle on to warm the engine up; it needs to be idling for you to check the fluid level. Once the engine is warm, it’s time to check your transmission fluid.

Checking Your Level

Open up your vehicle’s engine compartment and locate your transmission fluid dipstick. On most models, it’s next to your oil tank dipstick. Check your owner’s manual if you can’t locate it.

Take out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag. Then, insert the dipstick back into the tank and remove it again to check the fluid level. If it’s low, you should schedule a service appointment.

Inspecting the Fluid

While you have the dipstick out, it’s a good idea to check the quality of the transmission fluid. Touch the fluid with your fingers; it should be clear and have a pink color. Poor quality transmission fluid will be dirty or smell burnt, and it should be replaced as soon as possible.