checking automatic transmission fluid level.

[The motor guy]

It seems like you only get one try to get an accurate reading. After that the oil gets smeared on the dipstick tube and I can't tell. Sometimes I pull the stick and it's just the bottom of the hole that has oil in it and then I can keep checking and neither one will show. So it's hard to tell if it's full to the brim or way low.

 

[The motor guy]

The problem is my transmission only runs about 70 degrees above ambient, so this time of year it's hard to check.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I don't even bother to check the ATF because you can never get an accurate reading!

Honda is the only one where you can actually get an accurate reading, but their automatic transmissions are made differently, and you check the ATF with the car off. With Honda, you can use the amount stated in the owner's manual when you change the ATF.

In cars other than Honda, you just have to measure how much you drained, and then refill with the same amount you drained out.

Too bad automatic transmissions don't have sideways fill holes (like manual transmissions do), then you'd never have to worry about over-filling

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
I don't even bother to check the ATF because you can never get an accurate reading!


Mine leaks which is why I check it.

 

[turtlevette]

When you get a good hot reading and have if full let it cool then note where it is cold with engine off.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
When you get a good hot reading and have if full let it cool then note where it is cold with engine off.



It says hot is 180 on the dipstick. Hottest I've had this transmission is about 170 according to my gauge in the pan and the only time it does that is when it's 100 degrees outside.

 

[turtlevette]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
When you get a good hot reading and have if full let it cool then note where it is cold with engine off.



It says hot is 180 on the dipstick. Hottest I've had this transmission is about 170 according to my gauge in the pan and the only time it does that is when it's 100 degrees outside.


Power brake it a little. You'll get it as hot as you want that way. Loading the converter heats the oil by churning.

 

[Bebop367]

Link below on checking level seems to help. Still a pain to be sure level is correct.....

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/89

 

[901Memphis]

Just wait til it starts to shift funny and dump 2 quarts in it

 

[mclasser]

I find it's best to check the fluid after a 10-15 mile drive. A spin around the block isn't enough. Make sure the TC locks up a few times to fully circulate everything. Avoid checking after a long highway drive since the fluid will smear everywhere and read high. Park, run through all the gears individually and wait a few seconds at each of them. Be on level ground, pull stick, wipe clean, reinsert fully and check.

 

[clinebarger]

The Lowest dry spot on the Dipstick is the Actual Fluid Level.

As others stated, You have to wait for the fluid to clear out of the Tube after adding.

There are Cold & Hot marks for a reason! The unit DOES NOT have to be fully warm to get an accurate reading, It just needs to be between 70 & 180 degrees.

Here is a chart specific to your 68RFE transmission...

 

[The motor guy]

It was a tad bit above the add mark at 100 degrees or so. That was the only hole filled with oil, so I'm assuming that's what it is. Probably about 8oz low. I'm going fix the leak this weekend. Hard to tell though cause after about 3 times it will show fluid all the way up to the full mark, but I think that after checking the second time it's getting oil from the dipstick tube.

 

[DoubleWasp]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
I don't even bother to check the ATF because you can never get an accurate reading!

Honda is the only one where you can actually get an accurate reading, but their automatic transmissions are made differently, and you check the ATF with the car off. With Honda, you can use the amount stated in the owner's manual when you change the ATF.

In cars other than Honda, you just have to measure how much you drained, and then refill with the same amount you drained out.

Too bad automatic transmissions don't have sideways fill holes (like manual transmissions do), then you'd never have to worry about over-filling

Mine has exactly that, as well as Ford's newer 6R80 version, and every other ZF RWD transmission.

 

[The motor guy]

I bought some yellow Teflon tape to put on my temp probe. It ate through the white stuff after a week.

 

[Kestas]

I can see on the graph that the variance in fluid level is less when it's hot when compared with cold temperatures. This is why the fluid is checked hot and not cold.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
The Lowest dry spot on the Dipstick is the Actual Fluid Level.

As others stated, You have to wait for the fluid to clear out of the Tube after adding.

There are Cold & Hot marks for a reason! The unit DOES NOT have to be fully warm to get an accurate reading, It just needs to be between 70 & 180 degrees.

Here is a chart specific to your 68RFE transmission...



My 08 Liberty has a similar chart. I made a temp probe, and bought the Dorman dipstick for checking the fluid. I found it quite easy to check ATF, and comfirmed the accuracy of the method I was using to check the ATF both hot and cold. I was very happy to know the fluid level is spot on testing it both ways.

On a recent visit to the dealer for some warranty work, the dealer checked the ATF and reported it was clean, appeared to be in good shape and at the proper level. So I know that my pan drop and fluid extraction was done right. No worries going forward.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
In cars other than Honda, you just have to measure how much you drained, and then refill with the same amount you drained out.

Too bad automatic transmissions don't have sideways fill holes (like manual transmissions do), then you'd never have to worry about over-filling

The key to that trick is to be certain the fluid level was correct from the beginning. If it was high or low it will be high or low using that method after draining and refilling.

My biggest beef with some of the new automatic transmissions is they save a few $$ eliminating the dipstick, and made it more difficult for the DIY guy to check it.

I like your idea of setting them up like a manaul transmission for fluid level checks. The automaker can save on a dipstick, and the DIY guy can check the fluid easily.

 

[UNC017]

Pull the stick before you take a reading. Wait a few minutes (2-3) after wiping the stick dry top-to-bottom, then re-insert the stick (slowly) until it bottoms out, then and pull it out out (slowly) and read it immediately. Always works for me.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Pull the stick before you take a reading. Wait a few minutes (2-3) after wiping the stick dry top-to-bottom, then re-insert the stick (slowly) until it bottoms out, then and pull it out out (slowly) and read it immediately. Always works for me.



Good advice! This gives the fluid on the dipstick tube a chance to drain down from pulling it out. I'll try that.

 

[skaughtz]

I would think that if ATF is smeared all over the tube then you probably have too much in the transmission or you are checking the level far too quickly after adding fluid.

I always change my fluid cold and check it hot. I leave the ATF in the bottle out with the car for a few hours so they both hit the same temperature and then replace the amount I change out (as close as I can measure it accounting for a few spilled drops). Then I take the car out for a 10 or 15 minute spin, at least 5 of which are on the highway, come back and check it while it is running (except for the Civic which has to be turned off first due to the dipstick design). Pull out the stick, wipe it down, reinsert, pull it out, perfect level reading.

So maybe next time you change it add in a bit less than what you remove (maybe 0.25 of a quart less) and then give it a check and top it off as needed once it cools down again. Everything I have ever read says to check ATF levels when the engine reaches operating temperature. Hasn't failed me yet.