2019 Mitsubishi Triton Pricing and Specs

This is another common question, but it’s one without a simple answer as the Triton’s transmission is not designed to have its fluid checked by the owner. As such, it has no dipstick, because Mitsubishi says the transmission is a sealed system and doesn’t need to have the level checked. Which is fine until the gearbox develops a leak and some fluid escapes. But that isn’t in the plan according to Mitsubishi.

The fluid is only supposed to be inspected when the transmission is serviced, which happens from underneath the vehicle. At that point, the transmission is drained of all its fluid and the specified amount replaced. Which is absolutely no help to you wishing to check the fluid level and condition as a (sensible) preventative maintenance measure.

Freezing the owner out of any potential home maintenance might be a great way to save money on the production line, but it doesn’t do much for those of us who like to keep an eye on our cars before niggles become problems.

According to website howsafeisyourcar.com.au, this version of the Triton has side air-bags in both the front and rear seats. Fitting side airbags was a great move by ute makers and reflects the fact that these vehicles are being used both as family cars and as company cars where OH and S requirements require a high safety rating.

If you had a loss of drive in every gear, the suspicion would be that the transmission is low on fluid or the torque converter is not working properly. But if it’s only reverse gear that is playing up, the chances are that the bands or clutch pack that locks the transmission into Reverse is allowing the gears inside the transmission to spin without actually transferring torque to the output shaft (and thence to the wheels).

That said, there could be other internal problems that could cause this, so a visit to a transmission specialist is the best advice. Don’t delay it either, as continuing to drive the vehicle in its current state could do more damage to the transmission.