How to Check Transmission Fluid Level 07-13 Chevy Silverado

In the video, 1A Auto shows how to check the transmission fluid level.
The video is applicable to the 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 Chevy Silverado.

This process should be similar on the following vehicles:
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

🔧 List of tools used:
• Transmission Fluid

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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[AAuto]

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[eddiegonzalez]

Question, why was the level higher than the hot hashmarks when he pulled it out initially but then he says that if cold the fluid should be lower to the cold level on the dipstick?

[UccelloLibero]

According to the chevy avalanche ltz 5.3L owner's manual, you are supposed to check it hot.
1. Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you've been driving, when outside temperatures are above 90°, at high-speed for quite a while, in heavy traffic especially in hot weather or while pulling a trailer. To get the right reading, the fluid should be at a normal operating temperature, which is a 180°- 200°.
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles when outside temperatures are above 50°F period if it is colder than 50°F drive the vehicle in third gear until the engine temperature gauge moves and then remain steady for 10 minutes period a cold fluid check can be made after the vehicle has been sitting for 8 hours or more with the engine off, but this is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for 5 minutes if outside temperatures are 50°F or more. If it is colder than 50°F, you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during this cold check, you must check the fluid hot before adding fluid. Checking the fluid hot will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking break applied, place the shift lever in PARK.
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about 3 seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in PARK.
4. Let the engine run at idle for 3 minutes or more.

Then without shutting off the engine, follow these steps the transmission dipstick handle with this graphic is located at the rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger side of the vehicle.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait 3 seconds and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area, below the cross hatched area for a COLD check or in the HOT or cross hatched area for a HOT check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down to get an accurate reading.
Always check the fluid level at least twice using the procedure described previously period consistency is important to maintaining proper fluid level.

[bigdaddyjoe]

The only video that showed me what I needed to see

[crystalmartinez]

Thank you I don't know what we would do without without this video we didn't know what to do to our truck so thank you for the information we're actually in Texas we're headed back to Dallas Texas and we're in Lubbock right now and the check engine light came on so hopefully we're doing the right thing but I really appreciate the information on the video

[jnwill]

Do you add the fluid while the truck is running??

[byrdmgt]

No one, NO ONE including me, seems to get the transmission fluid level right these days, whether it's certified Chevy techs, independent techs, or people in their driveways. Long ago, without transmission coolers going to engine radiator, you could check hot, like you're supposed to whether the engine is running or not, and it would give you the same level. I always checked mine running in the old days, after having run it down the road for a while. Now, if you check running, you tend to overfill because you have fluid circulating though the tranny cooler. Overfilling leads to seal failure and premature wear. Now I check hot with ignition off, and allow circulating fluid to settle. I'm hoping that's right, now, because no authority seems to be able to tell me definitively ignition on or off.

[chefzackkasmar]

Question guys. My 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500, New Body Style, 4.8 V8 Transmission has been getting very hot. In about a 45 minute drive 15minutes on the frwy the other 30 minutes on city streets with lots of stop and go The trans temp was up to 216f. What should i think of this? The outside air temperature was about 70f or so. Is this something I should be concerned about? What are tour thoughts? Thank you for all the great 07-13 silverado videos!!

[boostedmkgti]

What would be considered hot though on the trans temp gauge

[thewiseguy]

I’m just here to ask a question so when I check it and it’s worm when my trans fluid dip stick lock is facing thords the left it shows full but when I check it while the lock is facing the right it shows not full

[stevengleave]

Is this the same for the duramax?
Thanks for the helpful information

[angelabrown]

So you want it to be in the hot zone with it running .that means you don’t need fluid is this correct if it’s not inthe hot zone then add fluid

[rachelgibson]

Tried checking mine and the lock mechanism on top of dip stick sas so hard to get up and when closing it back it broke off. Ugh

[pj]

I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 and I need to check the transmission fluid. Is it okay if I let it run for about 30 minutes and then check it

[raleighhere]

Just checked on son's 2007 Silverado with engine all warmed up. Fluid consistently 2-3 inches above top mark of the 'hot' range. Is that typical due to engine idling? Or what?

[reneoropeza]

I have a 2007 Silverado the transmission temperature reads 207 so that’s overheating right? What should I do?

[BRGDEAN]

2009 Silverado 5.3/6L80E. Replaced the trans cooler lines and added fluid afterwards. After 30 minutes of idling it seemed to settle out at about a quarter inch below the HOT mark. Added maybe half a quart at most and now it is reading maybe a quarter inch above the hot. Is this within an acceptable range or should I drain a cup off?

[jcal]

Is it normal for the dipstick to leave black dirt on the rag after wiping it? It looks like that’s the same situation with you in the video.

[georgerhlj]

Thank you so much. I didn’t know that it was the red thing

[Ohmikron]

Accurate video! Ty so much for the info!