How to Check the Fluid in a Jeep Wrangler With a Manual Transmission

Jeep Wrangler manual transmissions are durable. However, checking the transmission fluid in your Jeep Wrangler is an essential part of proper maintenance. If you let the transmission fluid in your vehicle get too low, it can cause major damage and could potentially result in a ruined transmission. Follow these steps to make sure your transmission fluid is at the proper level.

1. Crawl under your Jeep Wrangler and locate the transmission

Crawl under your Jeep Wrangler and locate the transmission. You'll find a bolt about midway up on the transmission.

2. Choose the open-end box wrench

Choose the open-end box wrench that fits that bolt and take the bolt out.

3. After you remove the bolt, fluid may come out

After you remove the bolt, fluid may come out of the hole where the bolt was located. This, of course, indicates that the fluid is full.

4. If no fluid comes out after you take out the bolt, put your pinky finger in the hole and extend it downward

If no fluid comes out after you take out the bolt, put your pinky finger in the hole and extend it downward. If the fluid is at the correct level, you should be able to touch it with your pinky.

5. If your transmission is low on fluid, you need to add more

If your transmission is low on fluid, you need to add more. New transmission fluid is available at any auto parts store.

6. If your transmission is extremely low on fluid or completely out, it needs to be serviced immediately

If your transmission is extremely low on fluid or completely out, it needs to be serviced immediately. A transmission service technician will drain and replace the transmission fluid.

Tips and Warnings

While you are under your Jeep Wrangler, it's a good time to check for other leaks, such as oil leaks or fluid escaping from the differential or the transfer case.

If you take your Jeep in regularly to have the oil changed, you can also have the service technician check the transmission fluid levels for you.

Check the fluid in your Jeep Wrangler manual transmission every 3,000 miles.

Video: How to Check Transmission Fluid 06-18 Jeep Wrangler

Helpful comments on this video:

• I think most people would think this is a very simple thing to do. Find the dipstick, read the dip stick. However; these engines have a dip stick that leaves residue on the end of it so badly that you second guess yourself on whether it is hot, cold, none showing, or over full. It is quite frustrating. It's unfortunate that this video didn't at least show the dip stick with an acceptable level of fluid on it. In Neutral at idle. So, that people would know what to look for.
• 2018 JK Wrangler has a different dipstick for the Mercedes built trans. You look for the fluid to fill the holes on the stick.