How to properly check the transmission fluid

[Zucchini5k]

Since I just replaced the Front CV axle on my 2001 Rio a few days ago I decided to check the transmission fluid today to see if I put enough in when I finished the install. The car had been sitting in my garage for the past almost 40 hours, so it's definitely cool. I pulled the transmission dipstick and noticed there were two sets of fill marks, one with a temp around 25*C and another around 65*C. the fluid was at the full level for the 65*C mark. Not expecting that, I searched through my owners manual and found section 7-23 that says the transmission fluid should be checked after 30 minutes of driving. Section 7-24 says if you have to check it cold, let it idle for two minutes, then run it through all the gears and check the fluid level (while still idling). So, I let it idle for two minutes, ran it through the gears, pulled the dipstick, wiped it clean, and re-inserted it. When I pulled it again it came back bone dry. Now I'm really confused. At first it looked like it was probably too full because it was cold but was measuring at the full hot mark, and now it is idling and measuring as if there were absolutely no fluid in there. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

I debated driving it up the highway for 30 minutes and then checking it "properly," but if it's really totally empty I don't know if driving it is such a good idea. I also thought about just adding more fluid, but if it's actually full I don't want to overfill it.

Thanks in advance!

[cdavis]

You should do it cold first fill it to the cold mark only, then drive for 1/2 hour and fill to the hot mark, but don't fill to the top mark usually about 1/2 way between is enough. it was showing too full when sitting for a while due to all the fluid had drained back in to the pan. also when checking ensure the car is as level as possible.

[Zucchini5k]

Thanks, I'll try that.

[speedy25]

the most accurate is hot. then all the fluid has been pumped into all the spaces it needs to get to. Yes you will see large differences on the dipstick between cold and hot, but since your car spends most of its time HOT you should measure it that way.

-SP

[chaelly_666]

Originally Posted by speedy25

the most accurate is hot. then all the fluid has been pumped into all the spaces it needs to get to. Yes you will see large differences on the dipstick between cold and hot, but since your car spends most of its time HOT you should measure it that way.

-SP

X2

1.First, put your vehicle on a level surface.

2.Start engine and allow to idle in PARK for at least 1 minute, the warmer the fluid the more accurate your reading will be.

3.While sitting in driver seat,place the gear selector in each position let say 5 seconds each then return gear selectro to PARK. Do not forget to apply break while doing this.

4.Raise your hood and remove transaxle dipstick and wipe clean with suitable cloth.
5.Install dipstick and take fluid level reading.If the vehicle has been driven for at least 15 minutes before inspecting fluid level, transaxle can be considered hot and reading should be above the WARM mark. If vehicle has run for less than 15 minutes and more than 60 seconds transaxle can be considered warm and reading should be above ADD mark. Add fluid only if level is below ADD mark on dipstick when transaxle is warm

And alwyas remeber to do not overfill automatic transaxle, fluid
leak or damage can result.