Another post.... this one is on how to properly check tranny fluid on my '01. Again, I let the dealer do the flush and the new fluid level sits way over the line for "hot", with the engine not running but hot. When the engine is hot, running and in park, the level is fight at the top of the "hot" mark. Which is correct?
How do I accurately check tranny fluid?
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LINY4Runner
New member
To correctly check Automatic Transmission Fluid Level:
Make sure the truck is at NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE and RUNNING.
Park on an even grade, and cycle from Park all the way down to Low, and back to park again. Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean and send it back down through the tube. Make sure the clip locks the dipstick in place, then pull it back out. The level should be at the HOT mark.
Make sure the truck is at NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE and RUNNING.
Park on an even grade, and cycle from Park all the way down to Low, and back to park again. Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean and send it back down through the tube. Make sure the clip locks the dipstick in place, then pull it back out. The level should be at the HOT mark.
96743runner
New member
:iagree:
huckle.berry
New member
Quickest and simplest instruction ever. Nice!
and of course a pesky part can be to get the dipstick to go all the way in, I know on my 2000 its a little dance. when I first got it, the dipstick was so twisted and bent I did not know how accurate my readings were, then I got a new one, and now I know the dance moves to get it to go in nice
thegipper
New member
There are many variables to consider. I can tell you for certain (since I installed a tranny temp gauge) that your transmission won't get hot really at all if you are in a cold climate and not in stop and go traffic. When I am on the highway (in WI) it stays around 100 degrees. If I drive around in my town for a good 20 minutes, it may get up to 160 degrees.
I see that you are in Denver so it gets relatively cold there. My suggestion is drive around in a neighborhood for a good 20 minutes (lots of stopping and going) and then check the fluid level.
I have a stock radiator (not bypassed) and stock cooler by the way.
I see that you are in Denver so it gets relatively cold there. My suggestion is drive around in a neighborhood for a good 20 minutes (lots of stopping and going) and then check the fluid level.
I have a stock radiator (not bypassed) and stock cooler by the way.
tacman7
New member
One of the things I don't like about the tranny in my Saturn is you put fluid in, remove a tube in the center of the drain plug and drain it out until it slows down, then put it back and drive it then take the temperature with a meter like you check for the check engine light only better and then add or remove more depending on your results. Piece of cake!
:50cal:
:50cal:
diverscale
Member
This is partly incorrect. Your engine temp could be at operating temperature, and your tranny temp could be well below normal operating (hot) temp. You can easily see this with a transmission temperature gauge, even with the stock transmission cooling system (no aftermarket cooler). If you do what is stated above, you will risk overfilling the transmission.
Fluid should be checked on for the hot marks after having travelled a good 20 minutes at temperature. On cold winter days, it could even take longer depending on many factors.
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From what I've read on this subject 100 degrees is WAY low. Low temps are almost as bad as high temps for the tranny.
And a 60 degree swing from cruising to stopped?
Yeah, not at all what mine does. I just watched the trans temps the other day during my commute. Once up to temp it sat at 185 and barely moved from there whether I was cruising along at 55mph or stopped at a light. I let it idle for a few minutes when I got to work sitting in the parking lot. Fan came on of course, but the temp stayed where it was. I'm in PA, and the outside air temp was in the 20s.
AFAIK that's pretty normal and considered a good operating temp. Heck, my temps started out at 40ish right as I started driving, and passed 100 within a few minutes.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Uh, I think you are watching engine coolant temps. Trans temp will move all over the placed depending on outside temp and driving conditions - even here in mild Southern California.
-Charlie
thegipper
New member
My 97 didn't have a transmission temp sensor so I installed one on the feed line into the cooler. This should be the hottest the fluid ever gets as it is the fluid that is leaving the tranny before it is cooled.
My radiator, tranny cooler and everything else is bone stock and less than a year old(fluid is practically brand new). I installed the gauge in fall of last year so I haven't really monitored the temps in any "warm" conditions. I'm sure it will be much higher once it warms up but in Wisconsin in winter, a warm day is like 30 degrees if you're lucky.
When you are "cruising" and it is 15 degree's out, I am not surprised at all that the temps stay that low. When you are constantly stopping and starting, that is what really heats up the transmission. I would have to check the FSM for what the normal operating temperature should be but again, if you live in a state where it is cold as F..., it's going to stay much cooler.
My transmission shift and works perfectly with zero issues.
My radiator, tranny cooler and everything else is bone stock and less than a year old(fluid is practically brand new). I installed the gauge in fall of last year so I haven't really monitored the temps in any "warm" conditions. I'm sure it will be much higher once it warms up but in Wisconsin in winter, a warm day is like 30 degrees if you're lucky.
When you are "cruising" and it is 15 degree's out, I am not surprised at all that the temps stay that low. When you are constantly stopping and starting, that is what really heats up the transmission. I would have to check the FSM for what the normal operating temperature should be but again, if you live in a state where it is cold as F..., it's going to stay much cooler.
My transmission shift and works perfectly with zero issues.
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thegipper
New member
This is straight from the FSM.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
(a) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
(b) With the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all positions from ”P” to ”L”,
and then shift into ”P” position.
(c) Pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean rag. Re-insert the dipstick and check that the
fluid level is in the HOT range.
(d) Do this check with the fluid at normal driving temperature (70 - 80°C, 158 - 176°F)
When you live in an extremely cold climate and your on the highway, you'll never see reading into the "normal" range if everything is working the way it should.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
(a) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
(b) With the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all positions from ”P” to ”L”,
and then shift into ”P” position.
(c) Pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean rag. Re-insert the dipstick and check that the
fluid level is in the HOT range.
(d) Do this check with the fluid at normal driving temperature (70 - 80°C, 158 - 176°F)
When you live in an extremely cold climate and your on the highway, you'll never see reading into the "normal" range if everything is working the way it should.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
TravisM
New member
Personally, I drive until the Engine Heat gauge or what not is at the half way mark. It is where the mark typically is when I am driving for a long period of time. Hope that helps!
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