Dumb question about checking Auto trans fluid level

Paul Shuler · Apr 14, 2017

I have a very dumb question. I changed the fluid in the transmission of my 2008 duramax yesterday. On youtube most of the videos said to expect close to 7 Qts of fluid to drain out. I got more like 5 1/2 qts out. Must have been a little low. Putt in 6 qts, ran it through all the gears and then drove it to get the temp up. I could see the level was right on the full when cold level. So I added about a half quart. Drove it some more. Here's my problem. After adding that last 1/2 qt I can?t tell for the life of me where the level is on the stick. The entire thing looks wet when I pull it out and I am having an awful time telling where the level is. Am I doing something wrong or is it my poor eyes. Thought maybe someone had a trick. I couldn?t tell you if it was low or high by what I am seeing.

37chief · Apr 14, 2017

Probably some fluid has traveled up the tube. Let it sit for a while, and see if you can read it. I sometimes lay the dip stick on a clean paper towel. Or it may be over filled. Some oil was remaining in the torque converter, which didn't drain out. Years ago some torque convertors had a drain plug. Stan

BobReeves · Apr 14, 2017

At least you have a transmission dip stick. My 2013 Caravan doesn't have a transmission dip stick. I guess Dodge believes it will never need checking.

Switchflicker · Apr 14, 2017

My 2007 Chevy Cobalt doesn't have a tranny dip stick either. Mechanic son says I am not qualified to check it!! Just kidding, he said the transmission doesn't need to be checked except during repairs.

Bill Crowell · Apr 14, 2017

Is it possible that the "7 quart" figure applies only if you also drain the torque converter?

cuby · Apr 14, 2017

i have taken a black magic marker and blackend the end of the dip stick in cases like this. it does help

rustred · Apr 14, 2017

just leave it sit for a while , or check it in morning. hard to get a reading when oil is just added.

Don-Wi · Apr 14, 2017

All these guys say to leave it sit, but the proper way I was taught was to check it while warm (not hot) and running.

Donovan from Wisconsin

dlbuck · Apr 14, 2017

I have used a magic marker also. Works good for me

old · Apr 14, 2017

Been a while since I have had a car or truck with an automatic in it but the last time I did it said right on the dipstick to check while warm and running. You also need to pull it out wipe of off wit ha rag then put it in and then pull it right back out to check the fluid level

rustred · Apr 14, 2017

yes leave it sit to let the oil settle out of the dip stick... then start it and check it. yes has to be running to check fluid. did not include every tiny detail.

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 14, 2017

Most auto transmissions in the last few years are "sealed" units.

For starters, people hardly do their own maintenance anymore.

Transmissions these days are by and large reliable. If it's losing/using fluid, then it's not long for this world and needs to be replaced anyway.

If it is losing/using fluid, the computer will let you know. I know a lot of you have problems believing that, but keep in mind that most people don't do their own maintenance, if they maintain their cars at all. An "unreliable" computer monitoring things is better than no monitoring at all.

Roger in Iowa · Apr 14, 2017

Some have to be running, but also IN NEUTRAL, so the transmission pump is running. It does not run in park on some vehicles. What does it say in the OM or on the dipstick?? Make sure the parking brake is set with it running in neutral.

Paul Shuler · Apr 14, 2017

It got a leak in the cooler line and while back and the dealership replaced it for me. I assume they didn?t fill it back up to the full mark after replacing the line. I park on concrete and have never seen a drop on it since. I should have checked it sooner. One of those things you don?t think about. I will recheck it tonight and see if I can tell any better than last night. I checked it running last night in park. I may try it in neutral like someone suggested.

JF in MI · Apr 14, 2017

Yes, the 'sealed' automatic transmissions are no longer hydraulic operated. They are manual transmissions with a clutch that are all electrically
shifted by computer. My wife's Focus has a 6 speed manual with a dual disc clutch. One disc operates gears 1,3, and 5 while the other operates gears
2, 4, and 6. The truck transmissions I understand have wet clutches.

pete 23 · Apr 14, 2017

If you still don't get a good reading after all the suggestions, you are going to have to drain it down a little to kind of start over. You may be over full and you don't want that. With the torque converter to contend with, you never get it all out with out disassembling so it is difficult to know for sure how much to put in. Would have been handy to know what the dip stick showed before you drained it for reference.

Steve@Advance · Apr 14, 2017

Looking at several posts on the internet, and Youtube, the level should be checked warmed up, on level ground, running in park. Your owners manual should verify, or have the last word.

Something that may be helpful would be to carefully but quickly lay the dipstick on a paper towel, watch for the oil to spread across the towel. Try checking the level several times, comparing the readings, go with the average.

Something to keep in mind, when the engine is shut off, the converter drains down, raising the level in the case. If the level is above the end of the dipstick tube, when the air in the tube cools, fluid will be drawn up inside the tube, and some may stay inside the tube until the rubber seal is broken by pulling the dipstick.

Try pulling the dipstick, leave it out for a few seconds, then back in for about 2-3 seconds, then take the reading.

Dune Country · Apr 14, 2017

After you pull it and wipe it off put it back in[u:5e6dc4f594] slowly[/u:5e6dc4f594] or you may get an incorrect reading.

John M · Apr 14, 2017

Mine was the same way. Did you change the filter, and if so, did you get the magnet out of the old filter and put it in the new one? The whole time I owned my 08 I never could see the dipstick that good, had to let my son look at it.

Bill in IL · Apr 14, 2017

Some of the easier to read dipsticks have deep cross hatching on them. Maybe you could modify it. The other one I have seen and liked was very small holes drill through the sticks so it needs more than just a coating from the inside of the tube to make it register. Holes were probably 1/16 inch or even smaller.

MarkB_MI · Apr 14, 2017

If you drained out exactly 5-1/2 quarts of fluid and put in 6-1/2, your transmission is a quart overfull. There's no way a quart of fluid could have leaked out without you noticing. Also, you didn't have any trouble reading the level before you added that last pint. I would drain or pump out a pint, check it cold, check it hot and go from there.

ss55 · Apr 14, 2017

Your operators manual probably has a very detailed procedure for checking the transmission oil.

johndeere720GA · Apr 14, 2017

As for tricks to seeing the level with clean oil. I use a paper towel to view the level. Once you have done the pull, wipe and replace to get a clean start. I pull the dipstick and then place the measurement area of the stick on clean part of a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs the fluid and changes color up to where the level is. Now roll the dipstick and note where the color change is in relation to the measurements on the dipstick.

Mike M · Apr 15, 2017

I am not familiar with that tranny. I CAUTION YOU TO GO BY THE BOOK ! Not all auto's are checked the same way. You can ruin them by overfilling or under filling.

Cameano · Apr 15, 2017

The easiest way to check the level after adding some oil is flip the dipstick over and read the back side. It will not pick up all the oil from the tube like the front side does. This works with most dipstick I encounter. Or, as mentioned, let it sit for a few minutes.

Dumb question about checking Auto trans fluid level

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Similar threads