Auto gearbox fluid check

[57jam]

Auto gearbox fluid check

Hi all,

Can someone tell me how to check the fluid level in the auto gearbox?  I have a 04 with the 5 speed auto.

Thanks.

 

[Trex]

These should still come with a dipstick. All new auto cars i have seen and worked on still have a dipstick. Look near the back of the engine.

[camr33]

Yeah it's at the back of the engine. You may need to take the engine cover off to get a good look at it, from memory.

Edited March 3, 2017 by camr33

[57jam]

Yes it has a dipstick for gearbox. But do I check it with engine running?

Thanks. 

[Rockit]

Mine is an 03 model. The dipstick is between the back of the top of the engine and the firewall. The engine cover is easily removed, but I didn't find it necessary. Mine has a clip affair that need be released for the dipstick to be removed. In the manual, it talks about having to remove a retaining bolt - which must be somewhere near the top of the assembly.  It is recommended that the transmission be warmed up to 65 degrees C. The level is temperature sensitive, and there is an electronic device ... Console 2 (???) that can be hooked up to give an accurate assessment. I drove mine for about 10 minutes.

Next... I can't be sure how the dipstick is supposed to read - at least mine anyway. Near the bottom, there are 2 grooves on the side. They might represent high and low. Above that, there is a knurled section about 1 cm long ...hmmmm, that might have something to do with cold measurement, but am unsure. Having just flushed new fluid through my car's trans, I was checking to see that the level was correct.. I needed to add some, as it wasn't up at the top notch. On doing this and re-checking, I was getting fluid way up the stick. Assume that it is probably necessary to re-run the car and get the system working to get the next reading.

[57jam]

Cheers,  it's a bit confusing about what level at what temperature! 

[Rockit]

There is lots of info about if you google it... is just a matter of posing the right question. Would be certainly worth tracking down a workshop manual. I readily found a youtube clip on checking the fluid level, it also indicates how to read the dipstick.. so I'm also all the wiser now :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK3-G4rV0Xs

According to the manual, the dipstick need be rotated 180 degrees to take the measurement - dunno why?? It also suggests that a paper towel be used instead of a rag for cleaning purposes.

 

 

[Rockit]

Look what I've just found:

 

The newer service manuals tell all.

Hot (65C or 149F) is read on the side that says HOT. The level shoild be in the cross-hatched area.

Cold (30-50C or 86 to 122F) is read from the backside of the "oil level gauge" opposite the word HOT. Normal level is between the two notches.

We're not alone in our confusion. I believe the newer (non-gray market) oil level gauges have the word HOT above the cross-hatched area.