How to Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Subaru Legacy
Checking your automatic transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining your Subaru Legacy. The transmission fluid should be checked every 6 months to help you avoid costly transmission problems. If you find that you need to add or replace transmission fluid, be sure to use a transmission fluid that is approved for use in a Subaru.
Things You Will Need:
- Rag or towel
- Funnel
- Approved transmission fluid
- Start the engine of the Legacy. Allow the car to run long enough to properly warm the engine. Check the Legacy's temperature gauge to determine whether or not the car has reached the proper temperature. The needle on the temperature gauge will be in the middle of the gauge when the car is running at the appropriate temperature.
- Carefully open your vehicle's hood. Avoid touching any of the engine components. The engine components will be hot and you could be seriously burned.
- Locate the transmission dipstick. You will find a looped handle at the back of the engine.
- Grab the handle and pull the dipstick out of its housing.
- Check the fluid level by reading the dipstick. A proper transmission fluid level will be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick.
- While checking the fluid level, it is good practice to smell the fluid on the dipstick. If the fluid smells burned, it needs to be replaced.
- If the fluid level is low, you will need to add more transmission fluid to your Legacy. To do so, simply place a funnel into the filler neck. Carefully pour transmission fluid through the tunnel and into the transmission fluid tank.
- Check the fluid level on the dipstick to ensure that the fluid is now at an acceptable level. Use your rag to clean up any transmission fluid that spilled in the process.