Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Impending Transmission Failure?, judgement call, buick lesabre

Question
Hello Billy,
I own a 1988 Buick Lesabre,auto,3.8L.
a few days ago the sevice engine soon light came on.I noticed the car would jerk a little when I would take off after stopping at a stop sign or light and when I am accelarating.
I checked the transmission fluid and it was a quart low.I put a quart in it and a couple days later I had to put another quart in it.
What could be wrong?Does this mean the transmission is ready to go out?The car has 159,000 on it.Thank you for taking the time to assist me.

Answer
hi james. well it really don,t mean the trans is going out,it does mean you have a leak normally a leak occurs from the trans pan or a line.however if it happens to be a front seal then it is the same repair as replaceing the trans as far as labor because they would have to pull the trans to change this.but with this many miles it would be safe to assume the trans will go out in the future.but also this is one of the most dependable cars out there today ,hence 1988,so i would find out just where the fluid is going then make a judgement call at that time.hope this helps.please rate my help ty billymac