ATF level

[ShortBuSX]

Ive got an automatic Suzuki Aerio SX, the dipstick for this has always been a mystery for me(as well as others). Since the day I drove it home its always read off the end of the full mark, no matter the method of checking(hot, cold, at idle)...after driving the car for almost 3 years Im beggining to doubt the level of the factory fill. Granted Ive "replaced" the ATF several times. Its always drained 3 quarts and Ive always refilled 3 quarts, so the level has always stayed consistant. It doesnt overflow out of the breather or anything and the cars shifts nicely.

I dunno if I should believe the dipstick or if I should adjust the level?

Would having too much ATF cause excess heat issues? Would having less cause it to run cooler?

These are the fluid specs:

6.2L or 13.1pt when overhauling.
2.9L or 6.13pt when draining from drain plug hole.

 

[MolaKule]

If there are an excessive amount of bubbles on the dipstick immediately after shut-of, you may be have overfilled it.

Can you check it while its running and see if you see any foaming on the DS?

 

[ShortBuSX]

No bubbles, no foaming shown on the dipstick.

But would M1 ATF foam?

[edit]BTW I plan on replacing the fluid again this weekend, just out of curiosity, and will check it after pouring just 2 quarts and see where that gets me on the dipstick[/edit]

 

[Eddie]

Always a good idea to shift through all the gears AND let the engine idle in park 5 minutes BEFORE checking the AT level. AT fluid is slung all over the inside of the case when driving and the 5 minute wait give the fluid a chance to reenter the sump

 

[dkcase]

quote:

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shift through all the gears AND let the engine idle in park 5 minutes BEFORE checking the AT level.

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h-m-m-m-m... I try to check the level ASAP after going through all the gears before the fluid has a chance to flow back to the sump.
Seems to me that at idle, proper gear, all passages filled is what I am after.

 

[Brandon]

dkcase, my Jeep manual states to check the ATF while in NUETRAL. Just wondering if you need to do the same.

 

[porcupine73]

Not sure if this will help, but I usually check the ATF fluid about 3-5 minutes after startup after shifting through the gears and then being in neutral or park whatever the manual says. I look at both sides of the dipstick to try to get an accurate determination of where the level is.

I usually have to wipe the dipstick off a couple times to finally get a legible reading. I suppose ATF operating temperature would be ideal for checking level but whenever the fluid is warm I can never seem to get a legible reading; it's just not clear where the level is to me, just seems to be fluid all over the place.

If I add fluid, I then wait until the next day and check the level again because after adding fluid I just get fluid all over the dipstick every time.

(I've heard if it says check it in neutral it's because the fluid path in park differs in some way, i.e. no flow through the oil cooler?).

 

[kschachn]

On my Toyota it takes a good five minutes of putting the dipstick in, taking it out, wiping it off and repeating until I am sure I am seeing an accurate reading. It seems to drag a lot of fluid up the tube that takes forever to get rid of. So you may need to be patient and keep trying until you get repeatable and consistient readings.

 

[ShortBuSX]

Solved my problem/mystery with reading the dipstick...

Seems the guage part seperated from the cable portion and was sliding up and down when ever Id check the fluids level. The yellow line indicates where the guage should be, as it had a coating like film, maybe an epoxy that was supposed to hold it. Im just going to crimp it down to secure it...but it doesnt make me feel so great thinking about that cable end or even that guage floating around in my AT.