correct way to check transmission fluid

[full_tilt]

HI Haynes service manual says to check transmission fluid after driving 20 miles and check the fluid while truck is turned on and idleing. I did this and the fluid doesn't even register on the dipstick. However as soon as I turn the truck off and check the fluid level it registers fine on the dipstick. So, what's all this mean thanks in advance

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[MGDfan]

Originally Posted by full_tilt

HI

Haynes service manual says to check transmission fluid after driving 20 miles and check the fluid while truck is turned on and idleing.

I did this and the fluid doesn't even register on the dipstick. However as soon as I turn the truck off and check the fluid level it registers fine on the dipstick.

So, what's all this mean

thanks in advance

Just say 'no' to Haynes.

Look in yer Owner's manual, maybe?

If yo don't have one, you can download one from here: http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...&menuIndex1=18

bubba

[glc]

Transmission fluid is checked warm with it idling in Park. Sounds like you need to add some.

Haynes is okay with that statement in this case as long as it says to do it in Park.

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by full_tilt

However as soon as I turn the truck off and check the fluid level it registers fine on the dipstick.

You can't accurately check trans fluid with the engine off. It will always read higher with the engine off.

[1/2Breed]

The purpose in driving the vehicle 20 miles is to warm the Tranny up. I either drive mine or let it sit and idle for about 15-20 min.'s then shift thru the gears manually then check with the tranny warm. As stated by Mark you can't check trans fluid cold. If the level doesn't touch the the stick with a warm tranny and in park I would say you need fluid and wonder why and where it's going. Probably a seal.

[Steve83]

You usually don't even have to read the manual: it's often printed ON the dipstick. "Check hot idling in Park."

[AnotherNewOwner]

Originally Posted by glc

Transmission fluid is checked warm with it idling in Park.

Well, this is true in my other vehicles, but the dipstick on my 2005 F150 5.4L seems to indicate something else. Near the bottom, it says "Cold," then there's a line across the stick. there's a crosshatch above the line, then another line. Nothing else is printed on the stick.

I need to check the level, but this is confusing. Does this mean to check the fluid cold, with the vehicle idling in park?

[AnotherNewOwner]

Just wanted to add that the dipstick in my truck does not look like the one in the owner's manual. The manual shows a large crosshatch area near the bottom with the word "COLD" in it. Then there's another large crosshatch area above that with the work "HOT" in it. Mine doesn't look like that at all; there's only one crosshatch area, it's small (about 1/2" long), and it doesn't have anything printed in it.

[AnotherNewOwner]

I looked at the dipstick again this morning, just because I was so annoyed. There's writing on the upper part of the stick that I had totally overlooked. It clearly states to check the fluid hot, with the tranny in Park, and not to add fluid if the level is in the crosshatch area. Doh!