tallahasseegreys Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Alright, I've got fresh Mobil 3309 in her. I'm trying to get the ATF level correct. I'm reading while hot. I shift thru the gears, let her idle for a minute or so, then pull out the amazingly short and hard to reach dipstick. Here's the deal...As you know, the dipstick tube is curved. As it goes down, it then curves toward the transmission, or rear, of the car. As a result, the dipstick tends to develop a natural, permanent curve as well. Also as you know, 1 side of the stick has the graduated increments for both hot and cold; the other side has nothing but a warning to use "special fluid." My particular dipstick is curved such that the graduated side (the side you actually read from) faces the front, and the side with the warning faces the back.When I read the dipstick, the level appears to be higher on the side you read (which faces the front of the car)...just on the bottom of hot. It reads between hot and cold on the other side (the side that faces the rear of the car). I've tried rotating the dipstick to compare results. No matter how the dipstick is inserted, it seems to read higher on whatever side faces the front of the car.So...how should I be reading the ATF level?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KlausC Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 As you know, the dipstick tube is curved. As it goes down, it then curves toward the transmission, or rear, of the car. As a result, the dipstick tends to develop a natural, permanent curve as well. Also as you know, 1 side of the stick has the graduated increments for both hot and cold; the other side has nothing but a warning to use "special fluid." My particular dipstick is curved such that the graduated side (the side you actually read from) faces the front, and the side with the warning faces the back.When I read the dipstick, the level appears to be higher on the side you read (which faces the front of the car)...just on the bottom of hot. It reads between hot and cold on the other side (the side that faces the rear of the car). I've tried rotating the dipstick to compare results. No matter how the dipstick is inserted, it seems to read higher on whatever side faces the front of the car.So...how should I be reading the ATF level??Check it with the "curve" facing the rear of the car, the way it originaly came out. It sounds like youre just a little low, but still in the ball park. I agree, a really dumb design and a poor location! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadeInJapan Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hot means driven...at least on for more than just shifting through gears a few times. Get the tranny hot...usually 20+ of driving and then check your fluid. It is better for it to be a hair low than too full. Btw, I agree with Klaus- check the top of the stick, not the bottom...the curve it it is suppose to be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che'_Moderator Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hot means driven...at least on for more than just shifting through gears a few times. Get the tranny hot...usually 20+ of driving and then check your fluid. It is better for it to be a hair low than too full. Btw, I agree with Klaus- check the top of the stick, not the bottom...the curve it it is suppose to be there.+1 Hot means driven AND idling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmelviØØ7 Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 +1 Hot means driven AND idlingYes, ATF must be checked while the engine is running Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauloil Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 I read a neat article in Rolling about checking ATF level in a 240 by using an infrared temp scanner on the tranny casing.in that article the writter said the tranny in that car never did get up to the max temp on his hot scale, so he figured out to extrapolate between the 2 scales hot and cold.on my 850, running at idle for 10 min at 60 degrees defines coldso I wonder if driving 20 min and then checking is hot enuf.also on my XC70, the fluid is over top of hot after long trips, so I check like I said for the 850I'm going to give my car buddy one of those temp sensors and start doing the tranny checks after I know the fluid temp.I think your level is close to OK, and you can check a few more times and read in your book about the conditions for the 2 scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.