level plug vs dipstick transmissions

[HyundaiAbuser]

Now that we are pretty deep into the "sealed" transmission era where dipsticks are hard to come by, has your perspective on servicing them changed?

Initially I thought it very tedious to have the extra couple steps for filling and leveling but after a while I found an appreciation for the more precise leveling procedure.

I enjoy not having to wait for full "operating temperature" or find the sometimes ambiguous fluid level on a dipstick so the level plugs are a benefit in my opinion.

 

[walterjay]

Having done a couple fluid changes without the dipstick I can only say the dipstick was very much easier.

I see no benefit to the sealed units.

 

[BrendanC]

while setting level is easier with the fill plugs, i hate where most of them are located causing you to have to work by a hot exhaust with the vehicle running. i’ll take a dipstick that has a cold fill line aswell as a hot one as like gm trucks from 99-19’

 

[zzyzzx]

Now that we are pretty deep into the "sealed" transmission era where dipsticks are hard to come by, has your perspective on servicing them changed?

Nope. I still hate not having a dipstick.
I also imagine in a situation where I had a nuisance level leak and needed periodic topping off, this would be even more inconvenient.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

Nope. I still hate not having a dipstick.
I also imagine in a situation where I had a nuisance level leak and needed periodic topping off, this would be even more inconvenient.

That is a great point. I would hate to have to have to crawl under and pump fluid every few weeks or so.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The way I see it is, the top of the fluid is the top of the fluid. On our GS350, you gotta take a ton of stuff off to do what should be a simple service.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

The way I see it is, the top of the fluid is the top of the fluid. On our GS350, you gotta take a ton of stuff off to do what should be a simple service.

is the f sport different than the standard awd? i did a drain and fill on my friend 2013 gs350 last week and apart from pulling the drain plug instead of the level after filling it was pretty easy. Getting the exhaust bracket off for the pan drop is dumb but wasn't prohibitive.

 

[JeffKeryk]

is the f sport different than the standard awd? i did a drain and fill on my friend 2013 gs350 last week and apart from pulling the drain plug instead of the level after filling it was pretty easy. Getting the exhaust bracket off for the pan drop is dumb but wasn't prohibitive.

Are the under car skid panels still there? Do you use a lift? Any problem filling? The AWD cars use the 6 speed trans, I understand. That's what is in our 2013.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The big issue I see with the level hole is the car is always too hot when it gets to the shop. So if you pay someone they just measure what comes out and pour it back in. So in reality, its a worse system for the shops.

Might be OK for home - assuming you have a level driveway, and don't have too much trouble getting it to the proper operating temperature.

Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

Are the under car skid panels still there? Do you use a lift? Any problem filling? The AWD cars use the 6 speed trans, I understand. That's what is in our 2013.

The skid panels were not there. We had it level on 4, 6 ton jack stands and used a harbor freight $7.99 fluid pump to fill. It was the standard toyota drain, drop the pan, filter, reinstall pan, fill, checked at 102 deg F. We used valvoline extended performace for the first refill. Then when some idiot, (me), pulled the drain instead of the check plug we refilled with 2 more quarts of VML.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

The big issue I see with the level hole is the car is always too hot when it gets to the shop. So if you pay someone they just measure what comes out and pour it back in. So in reality, its a worse system for the shops.

Might be OK for home - assuming you have a level driveway, and don't have too much trouble getting it to the proper operating temperature.

Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

another good point. I'm a home gamer so letting it cool down or organizing a shorter trip to bring a car over isn't near the same problem.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The skid panels were not there. We had it level on 4, 6 ton jack stands and used a harbor freight $7.99 fluid pump to fill. It was the standard toyota drain, drop the pan, filter, reinstall pan, fill, checked at 102 deg F. We used valvoline extended performace for the first refill, then when some idiot (me), pulled the drain instead of the check plug we refilled with 2 more quarts of VML.

Well done. I recently had a great Lex/Toy shop run 14 qts Idemitsu WS equivalent and Toyota WS through our car. Our GS is pristine... Everything is there.

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

Well done. I recently had a great Lex/Toy shop run 14 qts Idemitsu WS equivalent and Toyota WS through our car. Our GS is pristine... Everything is there.
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I really really like the cars. My friend bought it as a gift to himself for his first engineering contractor job where he drives 30k miles a year (and drives it HARD). His primary route comes through my neck of the woods so I help him service anytime i can. We did all 4 shocks and brakes at the same time and made a day of it. For the price these go for It'd be near the top of my list if i had to drive a lot.

next time he comes by we're going to service the differentials.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I really really like the cars. My friend bought it as a gift to himself for his first engineering contractor job where he drives 30k miles a year (and drives it HARD). His primary route comes through my neck of the woods so I help him service anytime i can. We did all 4 shocks and brakes at the same time and made a day of it. For the price these go for It'd be near the top of my list if i had to drive a lot.

next time he comes by we're going to service the differentials.

The GS is an amazing car. Drive an F Sport, preferably the 1st gen from 2013 on. The refresh GS took some of the sport out of the F Sport.

 

[BornSlippy]

Now that we are pretty deep into the "sealed" transmission era where dipsticks are hard to come by, has your perspective on servicing them changed?

Initially I thought it very tedious to have the extra couple steps for filling and leveling but after a while I found an appreciation for the more precise leveling procedure.

I enjoy not having to wait for full "operating temperature" or find the sometimes ambiguous fluid level on a dipstick so the level plugs are a benefit in my opinion.

I would suppose it depends on the car.

I'm doing all my deep breathing excercises in preperation of doing a ATF change on the Escape. The check level plug is in a PIA spot. Most sources say to remove the driver side front wheel to get at the plug. Seriously????

 

[TwoC400s]

Both my Benzes with the 7gtronic+ transmission definitely have to be at a certain temp to use the in-pan level tube correctly.

To make it worse you need a scan tool to get to that temperature.

 

[PF52]

Both my Benzes with the 7gtronic+ transmission definitely have to be at a certain temp to use the in-pan level tube correctly.

To make it worse you need a scan tool to get to that temperature.

I cannot help but wonder: What if you get the temperature slightly wrong, how much could the level possibly vary? A millimeter? More? Less?

Some cars require you to run the engine at idle speed on level ground, until the fan cycles on and off X-number of times. On a cool day, that can take a VERY long time!

 

[sparky123]

Some really good points. I'll take a real dipstick any day.

 

[rszappa1]

On my 21 Honda HRV with a CVT I wish it had a dip stick but the side check plug is easy to get to. Just fill and wait for it do start coming out and you are done...

 

[Marcozi]

Let me rant about no engine oil dipstick!!!! BMW claims it eliminated the oil dipstick to "reduce emissions." Sure!