What happens when there is insufficient manual transmission fluid?
2 Answers
Insufficient manual transmission fluid can lead to the following situations: 1. Gear shifting feels jerky and not smooth; 2. When pressing the accelerator, the increase in engine RPM does not proportionally match the increase in vehicle speed; 3. Increased noise from the transmission. Transmission fluid is an oil product used to keep the gear system clean and should be replaced approximately every two years or 60,000 kilometers. The method for replacing transmission fluid is: 1. Remove the transmission guard plate, loosen the screws on the oil pan, and drain the old transmission fluid; 2. Unscrew the oil pan screws and remove the oil pan; 3. Apply sealant to the new oil pan and tighten it; 4. Loosen the screw on the left side of the transmission to add new fluid.
I learned the hard way not long ago about the consequences of low transmission fluid, and it was a terrible experience. At first, the gear shifts felt noticeably rough, especially when the car was cold—I couldn’t even engage third gear. Later, I started hearing a 'clunking' noise on the highway, like gears grinding dry. I finally gave in and took it to the repair shop, where they found the fluid level was below the minimum mark. The mechanic explained that low fluid causes the transmission to overheat, and the gear wear is like sandpaper grinding against metal—over time, the entire transmission could be ruined. Now, I’ve made it a habit to check the transmission fluid level at every service. After all, the cost of replacing a transmission could cover a decade’s worth of fuel!
