You never want to spot fluids under your vehicle. If you have recently spotted some clear, pinkish fluid underneath your vehicle, chances are you have a leak in your transmission. Before you freak out and start figuring out how much it will cost to replace your transmission, take a deep breath. It may not be as bad as you think.

#1 Leaky Transmissions Are Common Place

The first thing you need to realize is that leaky transmissions are commonplace. After so many miles, the seals on your transmission are going to crack. It may take 75,000 or 150,000 miles, but at some point, the transmission seals on pretty much every vehicle eventually crack.

Just because the seals cracked does not mean you did something wrong. The seals were not made to last forever. Over time, they dry out and lose their elasticity. Replacing cracked and broken transmission seals is just a part of owning a vehicle.

#2 Small Leaks Are Actually Excellent Warning Signs

If you have noticed a small amount of transmission fluid under your vehicle, take it as a warning sign. You can probably fix up your transmission without having to shell out a lot of money.

A small leak is almost like a courtesy warning from your vehicle. Your vehicle is letting you know that the seals on your transmission are starting to go out. It is giving you a heads-up that a bigger repair job may be in your future.

For the time being, focus on fixing the small leak. Then, start setting aside some extra money for when you'll need to do a more extensive repair job.

# 3 You Can Fix Small Leaks On Your Own

If this is the first time that you have noticed transmission fluid under your vehicle, you can most likely fix the problem yourself. Just head on down to your local auto parts store and purchase some stop-leak for your transmission. If you need a little help, just ask the attendant on duty to help you locate the appropriate stop-leak fluid.

After you purchase the stop-leak fluid, all you have to do is add the fluid to your transmission. Under the hood, locate where you add transmission fluid. Pull out the dipstick and add the stop-leak fluid. Stop adding fluid when you hit the fill line for your transmission. The stop-leak fluid should work its way through your transmission and take care of any leaks.

Just keep in mind, you may be able to use the stop-leak fluid a few times, but if the leaks persist, then you may want to take your vehicle to a mechanic like American Transmission Center and really get your transmission fixed. Luckily, most vehicles will give you a warning sign, so when it's time for the big job, it will not be a surprise and you'll have the money to pay for the work.