I have kind of a dumb question. The trans dipstick has a "cold" region, a "hot" region and a "do not add" region. Let's assume that the trans is warmed up, engine's running, and the fluid level is in the "do not add" region, but not so full as to be above the white plastic end of the dipstick. Does this mean that trans fluid should be removed, or just that no more should be added?

Thanks.

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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com

 

That no more should be added. You don't want to overfill it, but it can be filled up to the hot line when hot. The level changes based on temperature and "exact general vehicle levelness".

 

max,
I guess my question should be "what constitutes over-filling?"

If you're in the "do not add" region, but not over it then is that O.K.? Ford should have had "cold", "hot", "do not add" and "remove" regions. I guess they can't make everything idiot proof.


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'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com

 

If you're in the "do not add" region, but not over, IT IS OK. When hot, it should be at the hot mark or slightly lower. That is the theory; the actual condition is this: many, many transmissions are driven a little high or low. If it is a few tablespoons high or low, it makes no difference. If someone overfills their transmission 1/8" on the dipstick, they rarily remove it.