Must be stupid - can't read tranny dipstick

[Chythar]

I always have a hard time checking the tranny fluid level. It should be easy, just like checking the oil - pull the dipstick, clean off the end, reinsert the dipstick, then pull it again. If there's fluid on the dipstick, you know where the level is. But every time I check, the dipstick shows the tranny is overfull - there's fluid way past the "hot" fill mark. I've checked the dipstick by dipping it partway into an open bottle of tranny fluid and there's a pretty clear difference between the part that was in the fluid and the part that wasn't.

I've checked with the car cold and not running, with the car running in park but not warm, and when it's all warmed up (after a drive). It's always the same. I know I'm low on fluid when the tranny starts acting up some. Add some fluid and the tranny is back to normal.

I had the same problem on my V6 AODE too. I just don't get it.

 

[drakesdad]

I always have a hard time checking the tranny fluid level. It should be easy, just like checking the oil - pull the dipstick, clean off the end, reinsert the dipstick, then pull it again. If there's fluid on the dipstick, you know where the level is. But every time I check, the dipstick shows the tranny is overfull - there's fluid way past the "hot" fill mark. I've checked the dipstick by dipping it partway into an open bottle of tranny fluid and there's a pretty clear difference between the part that was in the fluid and the part that wasn't.

I've checked with the car cold and not running, with the car running in park but not warm, and when it's all warmed up (after a drive). It's always the same. I know I'm low on fluid when the tranny starts acting up some. Add some fluid and the tranny is back to normal.

I had the same problem on my V6 AODE too. I just don't get it.

I will admit that you are not alone.....

 

[HISSIN50]

Been there myself too.

You're probably having issues with smear from the dipstick tube.

I wipe the crap out of the stick so there's nothing on it at all, then thrust it in and pull out real quick Immediately look for the diagonal line that marks the end of the fluid (above that is smear).

Alternatively, if that diagonal line is tough to find, one can hold a paper towel perpendicular to the horizontally-held dipstick (so the edge of the towel touches the stick). Start on the metal part of the stick, with the towel just touching the stick, run the towel down the stick. When the towel starts hitting the body of fluid, the papertowel wicks fluid away and stains the towel. The smears generally wont stain the towel, so you can try to guess where the level is.