My car just came back from the mechanic and he told me to keep an eye on the transmission because sometimes when you set the car to reverse it takes awhile before it kicks in. He said it could be that it is sticking and needs more additives? But then we got distracted and I never got a chance to ask how the heck do I find out? By the way, my car was in for a different problem and I had specifically told him I only had money to fix that so that is why he didnt look further into the transmission thing.So anyway, here are a couple of questions:what is additives and how do i know if i need them?while we‘re at it, how do I check my transmission fluid? (just in case my mechanic didn‘t)if you have any other suggestions as to what this problem might be and how I can fix it, Id love to hear itIf it matters, I drive an 03 Dodge Intrepid that has about 80k.Thanks!
Call two Dodge dealers' service depts [always get at least a 2nd opinion]and ask abt additives, they prob dont recommend em. Pull the trans dipstick and see if it has stamped on it how to check the fluid, ie, engine at operating temp, in Neutral, on level surface, etc. ask the dealers.
additives you buy from an auto parts store such as advanced auto, auto zone etc. sometimes even at wallmart. there are many different kinds of additives for a transmission if i was you i would just give your mechanic a call and ask him which additive he recommends because everyone has one that they like best. to check your fluid, first of all unlike when you check your oil in order to check ur transmission fluid the car needs to be running. pop your hood and there is a dipstick just like how you check your oil there an operating range on the end of it and its also divided up into hot and cold which ever one is the case. normally it is a yellow top just pull it out check it wipe off and stick back in make sure you put the dips tick back in all the way
Ok heres how your check the transmission fluid on a car. First drive the car and get it up to normal operating temperature. Then when you get home or where you are, leave the engine running and check the fluid. Now, if the reading is below the cross hatch marks. Then your had a half quart a time. After adding the transmission fluid then get back in the car and put it in reverse then drive and hold it in each gear for a few seconds. Then repeat process until the transmission fluid is full. More than likely its low. My car does that when its low on trans fluid. If the transmission fluid is not low then go to an autoparts store and get a bottle of lucas transmission additive, (The guy at the counter will help your find it) Then just add the whole bottle. Overfilling the trans by 1 quart wont hurt it. You will need to get a long skinny funnel or a transmission funnel from a parts store before you can add anything.
