Critical. This indicates coolant has leaked into the transmission (often called "the strawberry milkshake of death"), which requires immediate professional attention. 2. Physical Inspection (Leaks and Sealing)
Whining, clunking, or grinding sounds while in gear are major red flags. 4. Diagnostic Scanning ratemytranny
Rate the transmission based on how it behaves while driving: Critical
Use an OBD-II scanner to check for "pending" or "stored" codes in the Transmission Control Module (TCM). No codes present. Solenoid Codes: Often a repairable electrical issue. ratemytranny
Look for leaks where the driveshaft or CV axles meet the transmission. 3. Operational Performance
Good/Fair. The fluid is aging and should be scheduled for a change soon.