I have transmission fluid coming out of the dipstick breather at highway speeds. It then runs down onto the exhaust and burns off. This occurs on occasion. This time it started after engaging the 4x4

Transmission Fluid Level Check Kia Sportage 1995 2002 2002 Kia Sportage 2...

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please this chart troubleshooting and fix it. God bless you

How to check automatic transmission fluid. An automatic transmission depends on the transmission fluid for transferring engine power to the wheels, shifting gears, lubricating moving parts and cooling down the transmission. Check the transmission fluid when your car is serviced and change it as recommended. Different cars have different ways of checking the transmission fluid level; some require the engine to be shut off (e.g. Honda), some cars don't have a transmission dipstick at all and the fluid can only be checked in a repair shop. Check your owner's manual for proper procedure. This is how the transmission fluid checked on most cars:
After the vehicle was driven for a while to let the transmission fluid warm up, place your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "P" (Park) position. Leave the engine running. Find the automatic transmission dipstick (your owner's manual will tell you where it is located). Pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick off with a clean lint-free rag. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the fluid level. A transmission fluid expands when warmed up, so if the car has been driven for a while (20-30 minutes), the transmission level should be between "HOT" marks. If the vehicle is cold, the level should be between "COOL" marks. Check the fluid condition: a very dirty fluid with strong burnt smell is a warning sign of transmission problems. Normally the automatic transmission fluid should be clean and transparent, as in these photos.
On most cars the new transmission fluid comes red (photo on the left). Over the time it becomes brownish, as in the photo below.
This is how the synthetic transmission fluid looks after two years of driving - it's still clean and transparent. If your fluid looks very dark or dirty, check your owner's manual, maybe it's time to change it. Some manufacturers require to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 or 50,000 miles others specify that you never have to change it - check what's your car owner's manual says.
If the transmission fluid level is low, you can top it up, but be careful not to overfill it. Overfilling the transmission can cause problems. It's very important to use only specified transmission fluid type - check your owners manual or simply visit your local dealer, they always have proper transmission fluid in stock. Incorrect fluid type can damage your transmission. How to top up the transmission fluid: Using a thin funnel, add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe. Wait for a few minutes - let the fluid drain down. Recheck the level again. Don't overfill

Chevrolet recommends that the transmission fluid be changed every 50,000 miles, but Chevy intended the transmission to be serviced only by authorized repair shops. For this reason, the HHR does not feature a transmission fluid dipstick. However, the HHR's transmission fluid can still be checked without exotic tools.

It is important to check the fluid level only after the fluid has circulated throughout the transmission by shifting through the gears. Failing to allow the fluid to circulate will result in a false fluid level reading. Turn the engine on and shift through each of the transmission's gears with the brake pedal depressed and the parking brake applied. The car should be allowed to idle in each gear position for approximately five seconds. Turn the engine off, then climb underneath the passenger's side of the vehicle. A small plug is located on the passenger's side of the transmission. Remove this plug with a wrench. Turn the engine on and observe whether any fluid drips out of the transmission plug's opening. If fluid does begin to drip from the plug opening, the transmission does not require additional fluid. Turn the engine off and install the transmission plug.

If fluid did not begin to drip out of the transmission's plug, transmission fluid must be added. Turn the engine off, then remove the black breather cap from the top of the transmission. The circular breather cap twists into the transmission. Twist the cap in a counterclockwise direction until it detaches from the transmission. Because of the lack of clearance between the breather cap's opening and the bottom of the vehicle, transmission fluid cannot be poured into the breather cap opening. Attach a fluid pump to a quart-sized container of new transmission fluid. Insert the pump's hose into the transmission through the breather cap's opening. Turn the engine on, then actuate the pump until fluid just begins to drip out of the plug's opening on the side of the transmission. Screw the breather cap onto the top of the transmission, then install the plug with a wrench.

When you shift into park and if Park holds then the trans is gone. (Auto clutch packs burned up) Smell for burned fluid. Pull up the trans dipstick with the car running and warmed up. Make sure the level is good. Most likely a trans Overhaul is needed.

Either you have an oil leak dripping onto the exhaust or an engine breather pipe is loose or ruptured. Eitherway have these checked out as they pose one or both of a fire or health hazard.

Fluid Level Check



Remove the automatic transmission dipstick from the tube



Check the transmission fluid level on the dipstick



Automatic transmission dipstick marks; the proper level for a hot transmission is within the shaded area

Check the automatic transmission fluid level at least every 7500 miles (12,000 km). The dipstick can be found in the rear of the engine compartment. The fluid level should be checked only when the transmission is hot (normal operating temperature). The transmission is considered hot after about 15-20 miles (24-32 km) of highway driving.
Although the transmission should be checked while the fluid is at normal operating temperature, do not check it if it is at the extreme high end of the operating temperature range. Wait at least 30 minutes if you have just be driving the vehicle in ambient temperatures in excess of 90°F (32°C), at highway speeds for a long time, in heavy traffic (especially in hot weather) or have been pulling a trailer.

1. Park the truck on a level surface with the engine idling, then shift the transmission into Park and firmly set the parking brake.
   
2. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the selector through each gear range (pausing for about 3 seconds in each gear), then place it in Park. Allow the engine to run at idle about 3 more minutes.
   

When moving the selector through each range, DO NOT race the engine.

1. With the engine running at a low idle, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and then reinsert it firmly. Be sure that it has been pushed all the way in, then pause 3 seconds. Remove the dipstick again and check the fluid level while holding it horizontally. The fluid level should be between the upper notch and the FULL HOT line. If the fluid must be checked when it is cool, the level should be between the lower 2 notches.
   

Most of the transmissions for the 4.3L engine are equipped with a flip-top handle on the dipstick. To withdraw these, flip the handle upward, then pull the dipstick from the guide.

1. If the fluid level is low add DEXRON®III automatic transmission fluid. The fluid must be added through the transmission dipstick tube, which is easily accomplished using a funnel. Add fluid gradually, checking the level often as you are filling the transmission. Be extremely careful not to overfill the transmission, as this will cause slippage, seal damage and overheating. Approximately one pint of ATF will raise the fluid level from one notch/line to the other.
   

WARNING Always use DEXRON®III ATF. The use of ATF Type F or any other fluid will cause severe damage to the transmission.

The fluid on the dipstick should always be a bright red color. If it is discolored (brown or black), or smells burnt, serious transmission troubles, probably due to overheating, should be suspected. The transmission should be inspected by a qualified technician to locate the cause of the burnt fluid.

There is no dipstick for the newer model Automatic transmission Cavaliers. There is only a red fill cap on the driver’s side on top of the transmission. The only way to check it is to jack up the car, making sure it level with a jackstand on each side of the car, and remove a small plug from the side of the transmission, underneath the car. It will be small and in an American size. It is either a 3/8" or a 7/16" size plug. Once it is removed, fluid will drain out if it is overfilled. Once there is no more fluid coming out, it is at it's proper level. If there is none coming out, then add more until it comes out and levels off. It has a capacity of about 11 quarts for the 4 speed models. The 3 speed models have about 7 quarts.

The dipstick for the 5 speed manual transmission is located on the back side of the engine. It will have either a white or yellow handle. It holds about 2 quarts of syncro-mesh transmission fluid. It is important that this fluid is used for the manual or problems will occur.

1. A variety of fluids are used for different transmissions. Automatic transmissions use something called - shockingly - automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: regular motor oil, heavyweight hypoid gear oil or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. Your owner’s manual will tell you what your transmission calls for. So, get to know what type of transmission fluid should be used for your vehicle. This information is contained in your owner’s manual - if not contact the manufacturer who should be able to tell you.
2. Park your car so that it is level on the ground and leave the gear in Park or Neutral position. Usually the ATF is checked at the idling engine but everything depends on your vehicle. Firstly read your owner?s manual carefully and if it requires the engine to be running, start the car up and wait for it to warm.
3. Locate the ATF dipstick. Usually it is a bit shorter than the engine oil dipstick. In some cases it will have a label on it, so your job will be made much easier!
4. Take the dipstick out.
5. Do the same once again in order to make sure the dipstick indication is true.
6. The color and smell of transmission fluid can also indicate potential problems. Wipe the fluid onto a white sheet of paper or kitchen towel. It is usually red, and should be transparent and clean in appearance and free of black bits or flakes. It may be more reddish-brown because of age but never should be dark or black or smell of burning. You may not be able to fix the car if the fluid shows some of these characteristics, so just seek professional advice.
7. Check the top of the dipstick and see if the fluid marking comes up to the ‘full’ line. Also check that you are looking at the warm reading - there should be one for ‘warm’ and one for ‘cold’.
8. You need to add some more fluid if it does not come to up to the ‘full’ line. Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn’t burn up. So if you’re low on transmission fluid, you almost certainly have a leak. Carefully look for leak and if you find it remove as soon as you can. In case it is left it can cause the expensive repair of transmission system.
9. To add the fluid, simply use a funnel to pour it into the system. Add the fluid slowly and keep checking the dipstick until it reaches the ‘full’ point. Remember, you’ll waste your time taking the ATF out again if you add it too much.
10. Wipe the dipstick when finish the work and make sure it is back in securely.

If fluid is coming out the dipstick, it has to be over full. Usually, it will run out the breather first. If it hasn't been changed in the last 30 or 40,000 miles, change it or have it changed with the proper amount of fluid.

clean transmission cooler/radiator