What Does That “AT Oil Temp” Light Mean?
We deep-dive into everything related to your AT Oil Temp light: what it means, what triggers it flashing, what to do when the light comes on, and more.
When things light up on your dashboard, you may have an issue. Though the lights and symbols are apparent most of the time, one of them is “AT Oil Temp,” leaving many car owners scratching their heads. The text might seem specific, but there are a few reasons why the AT oil temp symbol can light up, a few of which we’ll explain below.
What is AT Oil Temp?
The AT Oil Temp is the indicator that gives details about your transmission fluid temperature. When it reaches temperatures that are way too high, the light will come on and let you know that something is going on.
The warning comes because your transmission and engine can only handle so much heat. If temperatures go above that, the engine could start to corrode, or other issues could pop up that leave you stalled or cause damage to your vehicle.
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AT Oil Temp Flashing
While you’re driving, the AT oil temp light can start flashing. If this happens, this is an indicator that your transmission fluid is much hotter than your car can handle. For most vehicles, the amount of heat they can handle tops off somewhere around 200⁰F.
However, if your oil gets over that temperature, your car will indicate the rise in temperature as a warning to keep an eye out. At this point, you shouldn’t keep driving too far, especially if your car starts to slow down or shake.
What To Do When AT Oil Temp Light Comes On
Continuing to drive when the oil gets too hot, you’re running the risk of damaging other parts of your car. When your light turns on and starts flashing, the first thing you should do is pull over and turn off your vehicle. This could allow the oil to cool and give your car a much-needed break.
Because many factors control the flow of your AT oil in your car, you should take your car in quickly to get to the bottom of the issue. While you can check a few things yourself, you should seek professional help if the problem persists.
Checking Your Oil Transmission
One thing that you can do yourself is to check out your transmission fluid. If you see a low level, you should fill it up, let your car cool down, and see how it drives. If your vehicle starts to run again, that could be a quick fix, but you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled. If it keeps on happening, you could have an underlying issue.
You can also change your transmission fluid yourself, which takes draining the oil and then adding new oil afterward. Before you start that, you should take a quick transmission test to see how healthy it is. Most transmission oils won’t need to be changed until 100,000 miles or more, but you can check the health by looking at the colors.
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Why Your Transmission is Heating Up
If your transmission fluid keeps heating up, you might start to do some investigating. There could be many reasons why your fluid is overheating, and knowing the reasons could help you get it fixed faster. Common causes of transmission fluid heating include:
- Low levels of transmission fluid
- Old fluid and buildup
- Transmission that keeps on slipping
- A defective solenoid
- Driving fast and driving in scorching weather conditions daily
While a few of these can be fixed with a habit change, others take regular maintenance to decrease their chances. Just like the oil in your car, you’ll need to keep up with the transmission fluid and make sure you’re replacing it and keeping it clean.
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Light Pink
This color is optimal for transmission fluid and it means clean and in good shape. If you check your transmission fluid and it’s pink, you might have a different issue on your hand. You could have a low level and need to fill it up or have a leak somewhere that’s preventing the transmission fluid from filtering through correctly.
Light Brown
If you see a very light brown color, this means that your fluid needs to be replaced. Though you can buy some time, this means that it’s either old or heating quite a bit, two reasons why you should filter the oil out and change it soon.
Dark Brown
If you see a dark brown color, this indicates that your transmission fluid is burned or damaged. This indicates high heat in your transmission, and if left alone, the heat could burn a hole through your transmission or your engine. At this point, you should quickly replace the transmission fluid.
Cost of Changing Transmission Fluid
You might be able to save a few bucks if you change your transmission fluid yourself. In the days of DIY, this could be a good option, and it will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100.
However, you might want to go with a professional service because you have to be careful when changing fluids in your car. In doing that, you can expect anywhere between $80 and $250. As you might be able to tell, it’s not much more expensive to take it to a mechanic, and you could wind up saving more in the end and driving with more security.
Tips and Tricks: Understanding the “AT Oil Temp”
Here are some tips and insights to help you understand what it means and how to respond:
- Recognize the warning: When the “AT Oil Temp” light illuminates, it indicates that your transmission fluid temperature has exceeded the normal operating range, which could lead to severe damage if not addressed.
- Immediate action: If the light comes on or starts flashing while driving, pulling over and turning off the engine safely is crucial. Allowing the transmission to cool down can prevent further damage.
- Check transmission fluid: Regularly check your transmission fluid levels and quality. Low fluid levels or old, degraded fluid can contribute to overheating. The fluid should be a bright, translucent red color, not dark or burnt-smelling.
- Avoid overheating causes: Overheating can be caused by towing heavy loads, aggressive driving, or driving in hot weather. Be mindful of these conditions and adjust your driving habits accordingly.
- Professional inspection: If the “AT Oil Temp” light indicates overheating, a professional should inspect your vehicle. They can diagnose the underlying cause, whether it’s a fluid issue, a faulty transmission component, or a cooling system problem.
As always, sticking to your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule can prevent issues related to the transmission system.
When In Doubt, Stop Your Car
If you see your AT Oil Temp light come on, the first thing you should do is pull over and turn off your car. Giving your car time to rest could be the thing to calm it down, especially on a warm summer day. But, it’s not a permanent fix and, if the problem persists, you will need to take it to a professional.
Keep your car running like a well-oiled machine and keep up with the fluids that could affect performance and create more considerable costs down the line.
FAQs
Q: Why is my transmission fluid getting too hot?
Hot fluid transmission could point to a host of mechanical issues, or your oil levels are getting too low. As previously mentioned, you should have a professional mechanic perform an inspection and get it repaired. Going down the DIY route is viable if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, call your mechanic.
Q: Is it safe to drive while the AT oil temp light is on?
When the AT oil temp light is flashing, it means that the transmission fluid has reached at least 250 degrees and may reduce your gearbox’s lifespan. If you keep on driving, your vehicle temperature will just keep increasing, and the fluid will start to break down at 270. At some point, the transmission will go out of commission, leading to an accident and costly repairs.
Don’t drive when the transmission is overheating.
Q: What are the telltale signs of failing transmission?
There are many symptoms of a transmission system that’s about to go out. The telltale signs are the following:
- Refusal to switch gears
- Burning smell (likely transmission fluid)
- Noises while in neutral
- Leaking transmission fluid
- Lit-up check engine light
- Humming, whining, or clunking noise
- Unresponsive when shifting
Q: What happens if AT Oil Temp gets too high?
Overheating transmission fluid can lead to severe damage in the transmission. It can cause seals and gaskets to harden and lead to fluid leaks. Additionally, the fluid itself can break down and not provide the necessary lubrication, leading to increased friction, wear, and potential transmission failure.
Q: How can I cool down my AT Oil Temp?
If your AT Oil Temp is high, try reducing your speed or load. If you’re towing a heavy load, consider stopping and letting the transmission cool down. If the problem persists, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic. It could be a problem with the transmission fluid (like low levels or old, ineffective fluid), the transmission oil cooler, or a more serious transmission issue.
Q: How often should I change my transmission fluid?
The frequency of transmission fluid changes may depend on the vehicle’s make and model. However, a general rule of thumb is every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Some modern cars with synthetic fluid may claim to never need a fluid change, but many mechanics advise doing it at least every 100,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle.
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