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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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Embarrassed to ask
But how to you check the transmission oil level? The other trucks that I had just put it in neutral with tranny oil up to temp, have engine running and read the level. But I always get way over full
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Western MT
the process shouldnt be different than a gasser if its an auto,(mines a 6spd) then you warm it up to normal temp, cycle through the gears(prnd21) hold it in each gear for a couple seconds all the way down. do the same back to park then check the dipstick. if its a stick simply pull the plug on the tranny. hope this helps
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
The fluid is expanding pretty much with temperature change, so the proper procedure is to check it when the trany is well over 200F.
Meaning after long drive.
All the services have tendency to overfill all the fluid changes. Mostly because they never take the time to drain the old ones properly.
Meaning after long drive.
All the services have tendency to overfill all the fluid changes. Mostly because they never take the time to drain the old ones properly.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,065
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From: Oshkosh Wisconsin
I noticed that when i have the truck running the dipstick reading doesn't seem to be accurate? It doesn't fill in the little honey comb. so i check it off when it was cold and it was correct and soild across, any one else have this issue?
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
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From: SE Florida
That means your level is low, but the dipstick is picking up some oil that is splashing into the tube. Reading the level cold is meaningless.
The trans needs to be warmed up, but it should not be hot. 120-150°F is ideal, over 200°F is too hot and will give you bad readings. Move the shifter through each position, then back to park. You can check it in neutral, too, but why risk the truck rolling? The reading will be identical in park or neutral.
The trans needs to be warmed up, but it should not be hot. 120-150°F is ideal, over 200°F is too hot and will give you bad readings. Move the shifter through each position, then back to park. You can check it in neutral, too, but why risk the truck rolling? The reading will be identical in park or neutral.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,476
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From: Monroe Michigan
That means your level is low, but the dipstick is picking up some oil that is splashing into the tube. Reading the level cold is meaningless.
The trans needs to be warmed up, but it should not be hot. 120-150°F is ideal, over 200°F is too hot and will give you bad readings. Move the shifter through each position, then back to park. You can check it in neutral, too, but why risk the truck rolling? The reading will be identical in park or neutral.
The trans needs to be warmed up, but it should not be hot. 120-150°F is ideal, over 200°F is too hot and will give you bad readings. Move the shifter through each position, then back to park. You can check it in neutral, too, but why risk the truck rolling? The reading will be identical in park or neutral.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
The fluid is expanding pretty much with temperature change, so the proper procedure is to check it when the trany is well over 200F.
Meaning after long drive.
All the services have tendency to overfill all the fluid changes. Mostly because they never take the time to drain the old ones properly.
Meaning after long drive.
All the services have tendency to overfill all the fluid changes. Mostly because they never take the time to drain the old ones properly.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
I checked my manual for ATF checking . Since I drive stick shift -that part doesn't apply to my truck, but it says 150-170F .
So the 200F was overstatement, but you still need to get the transmission pretty hot for accurate reading.
So the 200F was overstatement, but you still need to get the transmission pretty hot for accurate reading.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature (H) or ambient
temperature (C).
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a
level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after
approximately 30 km (20 miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature (H) or ambient
temperature (C).
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a
level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after
approximately 30 km (20 miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK