My automatic transmission oil is low in a 08 V6 Escape.

Since the local temperature is below 32 defrees F (more like 15 degrees), what is the maximum level I should fill it to when the vehicle is warm, running and in park? It currently is well below the lowest part of the cross hatch, near the lower hole. I checked the level because it did not want to engage into gear when cold.

I want to avoid overfilling, and then having problems in the summer because it is then overfilled.

 

the trick is to check it with the tranny hot, the outside temp doesn't factor into the check procedure , it is the tranny fluid temp that is important. It takes a good bit of driving to get the tranny fluid hot enough to give an accurate reading, they say at least 30 miles of city driving. Then check it on level ground in park with the engine running, and go through all the gears once prior to checking. At that point the fluid should be in the middle to upper end of the cross hatch, and not any higher than the upper point and not lower than the lower point (assuming the fluid is at proper temp). I think the fluid has to be 180 degrees or so to get an accurate reading/check. So take it out and give it a pretty hard drive for a decent bit, then check the fluid. I tend to top mine up in the upper half of the cross hatch area in summer conditions (around the 3/4 point of the cross hatch) just leaving a bit of margin for possible hotter temps in warm weather. So don't fill right to the top , but don't leave it right at the bottom either, a good mid-point is probably a good place to be right now. Re-check it later down the road in summer temps to be sure it is at proper level for extreme hot conditions. If you have to add fluid, add it a tiny bit at a time, it doesn't take much to end up with an overfill situation. Everytime you add fluid, run the tranny through all the gears once and put it back into park, and then re-check the level to get a more accurate reading.

good luck, hope it solves your tranny issues

 

Decided to take it into the local dealer this am. Turns out that I had a slow leak at the hose clamp near the cooler in front of the radiator. Clamp was replaced with screw type and fluid topped off. Grill needed to be removed and cooler lifted out to access the clamp.

 

With some extremely cold weather for the last day, the leak reapeared at the new screw type clamp.

Any recommendations on what hose clamp to use to solve the leak once and for all?

 

Gosh, in 135,000 miles I have never checked the fluid level in my tranny. I feel like an idiot!

 

An update:

I replaced the screw type clamp with 2 high pressure fuel line clamps (for 5/8" dia) and there are no leaks after a week of -35 celcius weather. Hopefuly that is the end of this issue.