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Like every good Civic owner, I check fluid levels every couple of weeks. My question pertains to tranny fluid level and engine oil color.

1. The tranny fluid has remained at the same level for the past month or so. Is this a sign of an efficiently running engine or could there be a problem?

2. I had my oil changed at the dealer in May. What color should the engine oil be? Currently, it looks like it is brown. Is this OK?

I'd appreciate some really good technical advice.

Peace,
btwracing

 
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Well the tranny fluid level should remain the same. I dont see a problem with that. And it wont have an effect on your engine, it will effect your tranny. The level should be in between those little things on the dipstick. Now if you had your oil changed in may, how many miles has it been? Sounds like you may need to change it if it was in may, usually you change it at 3 months/3000 miles.

 
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Thanks for the quick reply. Tranny fluid covers the dipstick. Oild change was done at around 10k miles. The car hs 11,800 mile on it right now, so I have only driven it about 200 miles after the oil change. Engine oil is usually reddish in color, right? Any further pointers?

 
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well I would go ahead and change the oil anyway, if it has been that long. Also if you pull up your tranny dipstick, on the end of it, there will be I think 4 small lines, seperate from each other with dots in the middle, the fluid should be inbetween those 2 double lines.

 
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Engine oil has no usual color other that brown. the dirtier your oil the darker it gets. even if you just changed your as soon as you start your car and the remaining old oil and new oil mix making new oil a little darker. You dont need to change your oil after just haveing it change 200 miles ago unless u like thowing money away. your new car shouldn't be eating tranny fluid but its wise to check. tranny fluid should be a solid color usually red. if its discolored then its contaminated.. and must be changed. Just change your oil every 2500-3000 miles. and tranny fluid when recomended.

 
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ATF is dyed red, regular motor oil is usually close to clear. Your ATF fluid level shouldn't change much, and it's important to check it with the car LEVEL. Motor oil darkens because of heat and doesn't mean it has gone bad already. Was the 10k oil change your only oil change so far? I don't know what is up with honda's maintenance schedule but 3-5k is the most I would go.