There are four notches on the ATF dipstick, two for the high mark, and the others for the low mark. When the engine is cold, I check the factory filled ATF with the dipstick. The ATF level is right at the highest notch. Does this means this is a right amount of ATF?
What is the correct ATF level on dipstick?
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I always check mine with the engine running and the transmission in park, usually when everything's warmed up or hot. I've found this to be the most accurate ATF level measurement.
I agree. Unless specified otherwise the best way to accurately check the ATF level is with the trans warmed and in park at an idle. You are better to be a little under full rather than to overfill. I had an experience with this at my last fluid change. The trans was shifting oddly after the change out....seemed like it was going into overdrive too soon. I had overfilled approx 8 oz and all was well after.
The above is generally true, but you didn't indicate what make vehicle, sifan. With Hondas and Acuras, the ATF level check is to be done with the engine shut off. Regardless of make, the vehicle is to be parked on a level surface. With four marks, the first two (from the bottom end of the depth gauge) are cold low and cold high respectively. The upper two are hot low and hot high, respectively. The most accurate check is always with the fluid hot. You always want the hot fluid level over the hot low mark, and better to be at or under the hot high mark, but never over.
I have read repeatedly that one should cycle through the gears, waiting a bit while in each one.
Thus: from park shift to D, wait a few seconds then go on down to 1 or L (low) or however your transmission indicator is marked.
Then, go back up, stopping for a few moments in each gear before proceeding to the next one. When you arrive at Park ensure the emergency brake is on and no kids are in the car to move the shift lever then prance over to the dipstick pull it out, wipe it off, reinsert then look at it and wonder what the heck the exact reading is since there never seems to be a delineated horizontal line telling you the exact fill level!!!!!!
I usually wipe and poke and read 4 or 5 times before being satisfied I am reading the level correctly.
Hopefully, in the near future, a better method of accurately determining transmission fluid level will be introduced.
Thus: from park shift to D, wait a few seconds then go on down to 1 or L (low) or however your transmission indicator is marked.
Then, go back up, stopping for a few moments in each gear before proceeding to the next one. When you arrive at Park ensure the emergency brake is on and no kids are in the car to move the shift lever then prance over to the dipstick pull it out, wipe it off, reinsert then look at it and wonder what the heck the exact reading is since there never seems to be a delineated horizontal line telling you the exact fill level!!!!!!
I usually wipe and poke and read 4 or 5 times before being satisfied I am reading the level correctly.
Hopefully, in the near future, a better method of accurately determining transmission fluid level will be introduced.
My car is a Toyota Echo. Now I got two different opinions. Check the ATF level with a hot engine running or not running?
Won't it be hard to read the dipstick if the engine is idling?
sifan, the only makes I'm aware of that specify checking ATF level with the engine off are Hondas and Acuras. If you're unsure which method is correct for your car, then check your Toyota Echo owner's manual for precise instructions. I agree completely with obbop about multiple readings to avoid an anomolous result, although I'm satisfied at three.
You are getting good advise here. There is no problem reading the dipstick with the engine running.
AS to how full is full, never exceed the top mark on the dip stick. A little low (but above the bottom mark) is fine. I guess 3/4 of the way from the bottom to the top would be perfect in my book.
AS to how full is full, never exceed the top mark on the dip stick. A little low (but above the bottom mark) is fine. I guess 3/4 of the way from the bottom to the top would be perfect in my book.
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