Automatic transmission dipsticks disappearing

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Cant recall what kind of GM automatic transmission my 2001 Saturn LW300 uses, but it has no dipstick. The transmission is serviced normally; you just add the fluid through a threaded on fill cap. The amount you pour in is indicated in service literature. Nothin compares with the lack of OIL dipsticks, I think the dependence on electronic oil level readouts is a BIG mistake; they are not 100% reliable or accurate.
 
Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
don't forget some early long life mail vehicles (you no the funny looking ones)


No kidding?

I knew the USPS LLV's used 2.5L GM Iron Dukes and I thought the chassis were Chevy S10 truck based, but had no idea they used 4L30Es.

Joel
the early ones with the iron duke motor used the turbo matic 180 (3spd 3L30) and the 4l30e. i believe when they switched to the cavalier 2.2l they used the 4l60e just like the s-10.

Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_LLV
 
I thought it was a German thing.

Like when Mercedes Benz took out the dipstick and put in a cap that said "MB WORKSHOP ONLY"

Oh nein, you are too ztupid to maintain your own auto. Zese are very zpecialized autos. Do not open ze hood. Ve vill know if you do.

The dipstick tube is still there. You have to go buy the stick separately.
 
Originally Posted By: BGK
Cant recall what kind of GM automatic transmission my 2001 Saturn LW300 uses, but it has no dipstick. The transmission is serviced normally; you just add the fluid through a threaded on fill cap. The amount you pour in is indicated in service literature. Nothin compares with the lack of OIL dipsticks, I think the dependence on electronic oil level readouts is a BIG mistake; they are not 100% reliable or accurate.


Saturn LW300 = Cadillac Catera.

YW.
smile.gif


btw, how do you like that Saturn/Catera? Is it a car to avoid? (Seems like it would be)
 
Other than a cheap interior it has been quite reliable. Of course, if you don't take care of the car it would likely be a mess. It's ten years old, no rattles, solid and basically feels almost like new.
 
Another fine example of the free market at work. I think that the AT dipstick is following the manual transmission to the same retirement village where the window crank lives. For my dollar, electric windows, automatic transmissions, and dipsticklessness are not improvements.
 
Originally Posted By: GMorg
I think that the AT dipstick is following the manual transmission to the same retirement village where the window crank lives.
don't forget the cast iron head
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: 4x4chevydude
The non servicable transmissions are the worst idea invented, how can they make us believe the fluid wont deterriorate?


Does not matter to the OE. As long as the vehicle survives the warranty period they don't care. Remember they are in the business of selling new cars, not letting owners work on them.

There is a problem with that.

When a large number of vehicles fail just outside the warranty, many people boycott that manufacturer.
 
artificialist wrote:
"When a large number of vehicles fail just outside the warranty, many people boycott that manufacturer."

Can you provide an example of that?
 
Originally Posted By: GMorg
artificialist wrote:
"When a large number of vehicles fail just outside the warranty, many people boycott that manufacturer."

Can you provide an example of that?

Look at what happened to US manufacturers during the 70s and 80s.
Also look at the French and Italian cars that were sold in the USA at one time.
 
It keeps a good number of idiot quick lube and independent techs from installing the wrong fluid and/or performing the fluid change incorrectly.

With the proper OEM scan tool and fluid pump, the fluid change can usually be done quite easily. It just goes to prove that you really need the proper tools to service modern cars and not assume that every car can be serviced using conventional methods.

Even DIYers need to update. For me, I'm having to spend $500 on a Mongoose MFC cable and Toyota Techstream software to ensure that I am able to service and diagnose my Prius properly.
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Is it possible to add a dipstick to those without them?

Why? The fluid change can still be done without it. It really doesn't give you a significant advantage.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: GMorg
artificialist wrote:
"When a large number of vehicles fail just outside the warranty, many people boycott that manufacturer."

Can you provide an example of that?

Look at what happened to US manufacturers during the 70s and 80s.
Also look at the French and Italian cars that were sold in the USA at one time.



I think that those are examples of poor quality in the face of competition as opposed to failing just beyond the warranty time. However, I grant that you have offered more evidence than I expected.
 
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Because most people don't mess about under the hood anymore.

Changing the fluid on some of those modern transmissions isn't very DIY friendly either, I know the new Mercedes are a lot of fun.
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Is it possible to add a dipstick to those without them?


Yes. There is a great one from Miller, available online. You need to know the individual procedure for your particular transmission.

In my car all you need is the exact fluid temp and then you set it and forget it!
 
My 2011 Toyota (with Aisin trans) has no dipstick- there is a procedure to check the level that requires the transmission oil to be at a specific temp and removing a plug on the pan. If a little dribbles out you are good, if not more is added via a fill plug higher up.
Apparently some less skilled DIY'ers have ruined their trans by removing the drain plug, which looks a little like the check plug. They first wondered why 3 quarts over, and then were puzzled when the trans failed....
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Is it possible to add a dipstick to those without them?

Why? The fluid change can still be done without it. It really doesn't give you a significant advantage.



Cause want one!
 
Originally Posted By: Vstrom
My 2011 Toyota (with Aisin trans) has no dipstick- there is a procedure to check the level that requires the transmission oil to be at a specific temp and removing a plug on the pan. If a little dribbles out you are good, if not more is added via a fill plug higher up.
Apparently some less skilled DIY'ers have ruined their trans by removing the drain plug, which looks a little like the check plug. They first wondered why 3 quarts over, and then were puzzled when the trans failed....


That kinda sucks.

<3 my Aisin A340 4spd auto trans in my toyota truck allowing me to check the atf level. Slight love-hate relationship with it though because it was never designed for v8 engines and prone to failure if towing in overdrive.
 
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