Checking Transmission Oil

[rubdog]

Can anybody tell me, if its better to check the transmission oil when the engine is hot or cold?

[qship96]

Follow the instructions in your owners manual.

[GseaQ]

Hot would be best as that's the way it will operate. However, the dipstick has a "HOT" mark on one side and a "COLD" mark on the other. If you were doing a drain and fill at home, for example, you could fill and check by the cold mark and fine tune more accurately by the hot mark.

[Haitian_King]

I think it's most accurate after about a 10 minute trip at highway speed. It may not be exactly accurate at just warmup idle.

[goody90q45]

In the old days the transmission had to be in DRIVE to check the fluid. Do you check the Q's transmission after a 10 minute drive while in PARK or DRIVE? Should the fluid settle for a minute or two first (like the engine oil) or do you check it immediately after the drive? I'm always a little confused on this one.

[Haitian_King]

I usually check mine (out of paranoia) as soon as I pull inot the driveway after my 23 mile drive from my school to my house. I'll be doing 80MPH the whole time on the turnpike and about 45-65 until I get home. (Unles it's right after school and the crossing guards are out.)

My dad always told me to check it hot. I never knew about having it in different gears. I always checked it in Park. It'd be difficult for me to check it in drive. Who would stop the car from moving?

I thought engine oil was the only thing that could could be checked cold.

[GseaQ]

I think it's most accurate after about a 10 minute trip at highway speed. It may not be exactly accurate at just warmup idle.

I wasn't suggesting to "fine tune" the level to the "HOT" mark without it actually being hot.

[oldmako]

I seem to recall that my manual says after it's warmed up BUT prolonged highway driving will skew the results.

[rubdog]

Thanks for the response, I will check after a short trip!