Transmission overheating
P0218
Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition
The transmission fluid has become too hot.
Stop driving
Can I keep driving? No. Stop as soon as it's safe, and have the car checked before you drive it again. Overheated fluid stops protecting the transmission. Keep driving hot and it can fail.
Common causes
- Low or worn-out transmission fluid
- Towing or hauling beyond the vehicle's rating
- A blocked transmission cooler
- A slipping transmission
Listed roughly from most to least likely. The same code can have different causes on different cars.
What to do
- Pull over safely and let it idle in Park to cool, or switch off.
- Check the fluid level if your transmission has a dipstick.
- Have the fluid and the cooler checked before towing again.
General guidance. Your owner's manual wins. If a red warning light is on or the car drives differently, stop safely and get help.
Track this automatically in Tagwell Auto
Tagwell Auto keeps your car's service dates and mileage, so when a code shows up you know what was done last. With a Bluetooth reader for the car's diagnostic port (called OBD-II), the phone app can read the code itself.
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