I can't find the transmission fluid - 1997 Isuzu Rodeo

Checking the Transmission Fluid

• 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.
  

Adding Transmission Fluid

• 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.
  

look for a dipstick by the transmission its thru this tube fluid is added with a funnel

This sounds like a transmission issue. Assuming it's an automatic transmission, check for lack of fluid that is causing the slipping. Also, if the fluid level is good but is a dark brown and gives a burned smell, it needs to be changed. Before changing the fluid and filter, bring the car to a transmission shop to ensure you aren't throwing good money after bad by changing the fluid in a bad transmission.

Add transmission fluid to the same tube you check the transmission fluid level. It will resemble the oil dipstick tube, only it's a larger tube that will accommodate a funnel to add additional fluid. It's important not to overfill the recommended level so try adding 1/2 quart at a time until the level is withing the markings on the transmission fluid dipstick.

These vehicles do require transmission fluid changes, but at a higher mileage. In fact some models come without a transmission fluid dipstick to check the level. It is recommended that when transmission fluid change service is performed, that a fluid evacuation/fill machine be used, commonly known as a transmission flush.

This transmission doesn't have transmission dipstick to check the oil, this is a 'sealed" transmission which uses WS (world standard) transmission fluid, toyota claims this fluid never needs servicing but most dealers recommend changing the fluid at 100,000 miles, I myself own an 07 and changed the fluid at 60,000. Changing the fluid requires some special equipment and procedure so it's best left to the toyota dealer on this one.

Hi, if it is an automatic transmission, it could be several things:
It could be really low on transmission fluid or the fluid may have leaked out. Do you see an reddish or reddish-brown fluid under the car? Check the fluid level by looking at the transmission fluid dipstick.
The torque converter (essentially a motion transfer device that resembles two fans facing each other) may be bad. As the engine spins, up, the fluid in the torque converter starts spinning and flowing and starts to 'spin' the blade on the transmissin side (it's called locking up the torqure converter). If there a malfunction in the converter, or no fluid, as noted above, no motion to the transmission.
Is the emergency brake stuck on?
Another issue might be the transmission linkage - when you move the shift handle to "D", there is a linkage that moves a lever on the transmission to change how fluid moves thru the transmission, etc. Check for a broken linkage between the bottom of the shift handle and the tranny. This is best done at a good auto repair shop or dealer.
If this is a manual transmission car, you probably have a worn out clutch plate or broken shift linkage. See a mechanic.

Hi there,

Transmission Fluid is the lifeblood of your auto and considered to be the one of the most critical components for a good working transmission, as the chemical makeup & viscosity of the fluid helps determine correct pressure and shifting. For this reason, use only BMW specified fluid - DO NOT use any non-approved fluid.

Measuring correct transmission fluid level is done after the engine/trans has WARMED UP.

If you measured your transmission fluid level using a dipstick, then you generally add BMW spec fluid through the same tube as the dipstick. CAUTION: never overfill the transmission, as excess fluid will cause 'foaming' and this usually creates further shifting issues.

If you have determined the fluid is low, the trans components will still function, but any attempt to operate the transmission in DRIVE with inadequate fluid, will likely cause unneccessary damage.

If there is no dipstick present, then this model BMW (much like the Merc's) denies you the ability to change your trans fluid yourself. This is a precautionary measure by the manufacturer to prevent the owner from changing the fluid. Instead, the workshop will have a special tool to measure the fluid level.

Cheers,


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If your automatic transmission fluid has not previously been changed, it would be a good idea to change the fluid at this point. With 100,000 miles on the transmission, it would also be a good time to drop the transmission pan and change the internal filter, too. That's a messy job, and one that I have started paying people to do--good thing you only do it about every 75,000-100,000 miles.

Ordinarily, it's a pretty good idea to change the transmission fluid every 50-60,000 miles, especially if you do a lot of start and stop driving or especially if you use your vehicle to tow anything. Fresh transmission fluid will probably help your truck shift a bit more smoothly. More importantly, the fresh dose of lubricants and the like will reduce wear on the transmission bands. I'd rather change my fluid more often than have to rebuild my transmission. With proper maintenance, though, your transmission should last well past 150,000 miles; I've seen Toyota transmissions with well over 200,000 miles on them with fluid changes as their only maintenance. Some have made it close to 300,000 miles with only fluid and filter changes, but I wouldn't count on that for the average transmission.