# Wiped ATF dipstick on paper towel is this new fluids? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 26, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077 "2023-12-26T19:48:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![itouring2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@itouring2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/itouring2010)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/1 "2023-12-26T19:48:08Z")
![IMG_9144](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/0/30cf74df481a4005b207b97e47c0123219a32482.jpeg) looks new to me? seems peculiar that valvoline guy said its dirty?? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/2 "2023-12-26T19:56:36Z")
> [@itouring2010](#): > > seems peculiar that valvoline guy said its dirty?? No, it’s not really very peculiar when you consider the business model for fast lube places: _Get those cars in and out as fast as possible, and try to “upsell” the car owners as much as possible._ One of the more famous scams at quick lube places is to tell customers that their air filter is filthy… even if the owner just changed it himself. They have been known to show _many_ customers the **same** very dirty filter, in an effort to scare people into approving unnecessary services. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2023, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/3 "2023-12-26T20:13:27Z")
It would help to know what kind of car we’re talking about . . . and how many miles are on this fluid Many automatic transmission fluids nowadays do NOT start off life as bright red Never mind . . . I just checked your other thread ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/4 "2023-12-26T20:15:59Z")
Make model year engine miles miles on fluid? ---
**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:** [December 26, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/5 "2023-12-26T20:24:56Z")
This is what happens when you start a new thread about the same discussion. Confusion! Tester ---
**Author:** ![itouring2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@itouring2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/itouring2010)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/6 "2023-12-26T21:12:15Z")
i dont think you can say thats dirty ATF for any car ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/7 "2023-12-27T00:53:57Z")
> [@itouring2010](#): > > i dont think you can say thats dirty ATF for any car Not so long ago, when all atf started out bright red when it was brand new . . . that color would have been of some concern And that is exactly why I initially asked you what kind of car you had ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wiped-atf-dipstick-on-paper-towel-is-this-new-fluids/194077/8 "2023-12-27T01:05:51Z")
This is a duplicate of this post, that has all the details: > [@Automatic transmission groans from reverse to drive](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-groans-from-reverse-to-drive/194073/16): > > Are you certain the transmission is the source of the groan-sound?