How to Add Transmission Oil to Vehiclesby Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017
Adding transmission oil to an Vehicles is an important step that will ensure that the Vehicles transmission functions properly. Transmission oil, also called transmission fluid, is used to transmit power from the Vehicles transmission through the torque converter. The torque converter ultimately transmits the engine power to the drive wheels. While adding transmission fluid to the Vehicles is rarely necessary, checking the fluid on a routine basis will help you catch small leaks and low fluid levels before they damage the transmission.
Check the Level
Park the Acura MDX on level ground. Start the car and let it run a few minutes until the radiator fan comes on. Turn off the vehicle.
Remove the transmission dipstick, which has a yellow handle, and wipe it clean using a cloth.
Reinsert the clean dipstick into the transmission until it stops. Allow it to sit momentarily, and then remove it once more.
Check the level. The fluid should be between the lower and upper marks stamped in the dipstick. If not, you must add transmission fluid.
Add Transmission Oil
Place a funnel into the dipstick hole. This will prevent transmission oil spills.
Pour transmission oil down the funnel in small increments. Adding a large amount at one time could result in an overfill.
Allow the oil to settle for a few seconds each time you add oil. Then remove the funnel and reinsert the dipstick to check the oil level.
Insert the dipstick all the way. Once the transmission oil is between the high and low marks as shown on the dipstick, reinsert the dipstick, making sure it fits securely in the dipstick tube.
Items you will need
Acura ATF-Z1 transmission fluid
Drive the Saturn for 15 minutes before adding transmission fluid. It's important that the transmission fluid is checked and added at operating temperature. After driving, place the Saturn in "Park" on a level area.
Open the hood of the Saturn by pulling the hood release lever located within the vehicle. Locate the "Automatic Transmission Fluid" dipstick and reservoir--you can identify the automatic transmission fluid by locating the dipstick labeled "ATF" and colored red. In Saturn vehicles, the ATF is located on the driver's side of the vehicle, directly next to the windshield washer fluid.
Grasp the ATF dipstick and pull it out of the reservoir. Use a rag to wipe the dipstick clean and then replace it into the reservoir. Pull the dipstick out once more and read the current fluid level. If the fluid reads "Full," do not add any fluid, as it will cause damage to the transmission.
Place a funnel into the ATF reservoir. Slowly pour a small amount of Dexron-VI Automatic Transmission fluid. Check the level of the fluid again by replacing the dipstick and removing it. Continue this process of adding a small amount at a time until the fluid reads "Full."
Items you will need
Dexron-VI automatic transmission fluid
Open the hood of the Chevy and locate the transmission dipstick. It will normally be located in the rear of the engine bay.
Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a clean rag.
Re-insert the dipstick and then pull it out once more. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. There will be two marks on the tip of the dipstick. The fluid should be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick. If the fluid is below the lower mark, you'll need to add more fluid.
Place the narrow end of the funnel into the opening where the dipstick normally goes.
Pour transmission fluid approved for Chevy transmissions into the funnel. Periodically repeat steps 2 and 3 to make sure that you do not fill the transmission above the upper mark on the dipstick.