Transmission Fluid

[duck3986]

Why does the vehicle need to be running when checking transmission fluid?

Anyone know how far above the "hot" level on the dipstick might constitue over filled?

[elwesso]

I have never been able to sucessfully check my transmission fluid.. It always is high, and there is a blow off valve if tehres too much, so I dont really worry about overfilling...

As long as the fluid is full and its in good shape, thats good enough for me...

[JT_MONEY_2004]

I thought if you overfilled it, you'll get foaming and overheating. Like you, i kinda make a good guess, making sure not to overfill.

[96Qowner]

After reading and posting here for a couple years, there are still times I feel like an idiot. I can't manage to get a reading off the transmission dipstick. All I get is a smear of fluid reaching a good half inch past the Hot range.

Here's the deal: Took a round trip to Minneapolis yesterday to pick up guests at the airport. 80mph, 92 degrees out, A/C on. Stopped at a rest stop. On the way out, the guy parked next to me told me he saw white smoke coming out of the hood. I opened the hood - nothing wet, nothing smoking. Checked the power steering reservoir (have a seep in the steering rack) - full. Looked under the car - water dripping from the A/C - chalked it up to steam, pulled away from the curb. Guy shouts to me and points to the ground. There's about 2 ounces of transmission fluid where I was parked, along with the water. So I looked a little more carefully under the car and saw a single drip from the transmission seal (also the low point of the transmission). Tried to read the transmission dipstick and all I could get was a smeared stick - clearly NOT low, but some bubbles on it. Middle of nowhere, still 60 miles from the airport and had to meet these people, so I got back on the road. Parked the car in the airport ramp, gone 45 minutes, came back and no puddle, maybe a drip or two. So, back on the road. Another rest stop check after 150 miles and no smoke, no dripping, so I continued home. Took my time last night and COULD NOT GET an accurate reading off the stick - ALWAYS a smear.

So, wassup with the damned stick? Anyone else have trouble getting a reading, and if so, what's the secret? Haven't touched the fluid level for 30K miles, since T3 flushed it. Is it possible it's high? What about the bubbles? How could it dump 2 ounces and then no more? Wes's mention of the blowoff valve made me resurrect this thread. Did it get too hot?

Any ideas? I'm lost here. No odd transmission symptoms of any kind - shifts smooth as silk. Fluid looks fine without a paper towel comparison. Smells fine. If I could get a damned reading off the stick, I'd be a lot happier. I can't believe the fluid level has been too high for 30K miles.

Makin' me crazy.

[Q45tech]

The top center overfill /overflow [pressure vent] needs an extra few quarts to start overflowing .......................or pressure forcing the ATF out the vent.

You really cannot measure ATF without considering its temperature due to expansion...........anyway you souldn't see bubbles.

[elwesso]

The best way ive found to check the trans fluid is to let the car sit for 10-15 mins (about as longa s youd let the car sit to check the oil)..... and then start the car back up, and run it through all the gears (you dont have to move it anywhere), and then check it... Just like the oil...

[Skibane]

So, wassup with the damned stick? Anyone else have trouble getting a reading, and if so, what's the secret?

Mine looks "smeared" too, but usually not all the way around the stick. Usually, there's a spot on either the front, back or one of the edges where everything above is dry, and everything below is wet - and that's got to be where the fluid level is.