# Transmission Fluid Contamination **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** rav4, toyota\ **Created:** [February 10, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397 "2022-02-10T03:46:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/1 "2022-02-10T03:46:55Z")
Is coolant in transmission fluid extremely rare? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/2 "2022-02-10T03:49:08Z")
Yes. Unless the transmission fluid cooler in the radiator springs a leak. Tester ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/3 "2022-02-10T03:50:08Z")
No. All it takes is a failed transmission cooler that is integrated into the radiator. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/4 "2022-02-10T03:50:08Z")
you might have tranny fluid in your radiator coolant too. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/5 "2022-02-10T20:07:11Z")
This was a common problem with certain Acura and Honda models a while ago. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Champ31957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/87869e/32.png) [@Champ31957](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Champ31957)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/6 "2022-02-11T01:57:39Z")
Don’t drive the car in that condition. Antifreeze will trash the tranny in a few seconds. New radiator, flush and fill antifreeze, drain tranny completely and refill with new tranny fluid (proper type for the vehicle), say a prayer with rosary beads. ---
**Author:** ![auto-owner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@auto-owner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/auto-owner)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/7 "2022-02-11T04:23:57Z")
A while back I mentioned my 2018 low mileage RAV 4 doing a little transmission slipping for a few minutes in very cold weather. Then I saw a spot of trans fluid under it for first time ever. Took it to dealer, they didn’t find anything wrong with it, and acted like coolant in trans was almost unheard of. I still have 14 months of powertrain warranty, they said bring it back if it gets worse. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 4:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-contamination/182397/8 "2022-02-11T04:54:52Z")
> [@auto-owner](#): > > my 2018 low mileage RAV 4 doing a little transmission slipping for a few minutes in very cold weather. Vehicle owners describe any transmission abnormality as “slipping”; Delayed engagement, upshift flare, delayed upshift. If the technician does not experience the condition, it is up to the customer to return with more detailed information. > [@auto-owner](#): > > and acted like coolant in trans was almost unheard of. I have not seen a failed transmission cooler in at least ten years. Every shift complaint should not lead to a suspicion of a transmission cooler failure.