How to use a Transmission Dipstick

Do you think you know the proper way to use an automatic transmission dipstick? It may be a lot more complex than you ever imagined.

This video is intended for students in the online AUSV 2520 Automatic Transmissions class at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. This class is normally taught face-to-face, but due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I am attempting to offer the class material online. Suggested quiz questions are shown below the video timeline.

TIMELINE:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Two pages of dipstick instructions
1:40 Preliminary Checks and procedures
2:30 Transmission fluid temperature monitoring
3:05 Cold Check Procedure
4:30 Results of the first cold level check 80 Degrees F (26.7 C)
5:23 Results of the second cold level check 84 Degrees F (28.9 C)
6:20 MUST-SEE: The real purpose of the "Cold" range on the dipstick
7:25 Fluid color and condition check
9:26 The engine warms up quickly, the transmission slowly
9:47 Waiting for the transmission fluid to reach 160 degrees F (71.1 C) for the Hot Check Procedure
10:28 Ran out of gas, Shop Vehicles!
12:15 Unable to drive training vehicles to warm up the transmission more quickly
13:42 Fluid level check after 56 minutes of idling at 144 Degrees F (62.2 C) still too cold.
14:00 Dipstick latch and seal function
16:38 Results of the fluid level check after 84 minutes of idling at 160 Degrees F (71.1 C)
17:09 Hot check procedure
18:08 Interpreting the results of the hot fluid level check
19:38 Must See: Results of the fluid level check after 84 minutes of idling at 170 Degrees F (76.7 C)
19:53 Must See: Results of the fluid level check after 84 minutes of idling at 180 Degrees F (82.2 C)
20:11 Must See: Results of the fluid level check after 84 minutes of idling at 190 Degrees F (87.8 C)
20:45 Video summary
22:05 Results of the cold fluid level check with the engine off
22:40 Some transmission fluid levels are checked with the engine off
23:18 Why the dipstick has been removed on many modern vehicles
23:59 Different types and styles of dipsticks

Questions for Teachers:
1. Does the vehicle need to be parked on a level surface or an inclined surface?
2. Does the engine need to be running during the fluid level checking procedure?
3. If the engine must be running, at what engine rpm should the fluid level be checked?
4. If the engine must be running at a specified rpm, how will you verify the proper rpm?
5. If the engine must be off, are there any conditions that must be met before checking the fluid level?
6. Are there any procedures that must be met before checking the fluid level?
7. Does the transmission cooler have a bypass valve? If so, how does it affect the ATF fluid level?
8. At what temperature range should the cold fluid level be checked?
9. At what temperature range should the hot fluid level be checked?
10. What temperature is being referred to in the previous question? Outside air? Coolant temperature? Transmission fluid temperature?
11. How should you measure that temperature?

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[UncleSarkis]

If there's anyone that should be teaching online, it is you Sir!

[hammockbaygatehouse]

"Do you think you know the proper way to use an automatic transmission dipstick? It may be a lot more complex than you ever imagined.". Thank you for emphasizing this statement.

[ThisNthaTytc]

Million thumbs up for this video! I've been having issues with my transmission ever since I bought the car and admittedly, I checked the dipstick when it was cold the end of December and beginning of January. I live in AZ btw. Cold mark is on the bottom with 2 notches and the hot mark is substantially higher up with two notches. The fluid level was way above the highest notch for the hot check, almost double the amount. I drained it to the highest cold notch and drove the car for the day and when I checked the cold fluid level the next morning, it was in-between the hot and cold levels. Story goes on, but something popped into my mind tonight as I got home from work and I found this video. I was wrong the entire time and although I'm a mechanic, backyard style, I didn't do the proper research that I should have. I'm going to try resolving my situation using this method. Thank you for reading my, now, long rant and thank you for this informative and in depth video!!!

[MrPatdeeee]

As always---Superb by one of THE best instructors in this world. Thank you John Kelly

[kevinwilliamson]

Thanks! Interesting info. I have always thought that if it was cold and showed in the cold it was ok. Lesson learned. Thanks for your continued commitment. I always enjoy your lessons. Stay well.

[SvcGlobal]

Thank you Professor and in these critical times, please be safe to keep doing such great videos!

Glad you are healthy Professor during these difficult times! Lesson learned with temperature versus readings.

[haithamshalashtv]

Great information you the only one on YouTube who explained how to check the ZF transmission fluid Thank you for your efforts Sir

[Bruno-yinb]

I just opened a car service shop here in Brasil. This information is golden! Thank you so much for making it available. This went way beyond what i expected. Please keep posting, it's very helpful :).

[zeelax]

Good to see you again, Professor!
And I agree with the comments above, if there is anyone who should teach online, it is you. Sure, nothing will replace hand-on experience, however given the weird times we are living in now, your online classes are as useful, as ever

[samuelkidane]

Well come back Professor, great content us usual. Thanks.

[hughsolorz]

I'm enlightened thanks to you sir. GMC owner for years now do all my vehicle maintenance . Except transmission work . Whole different animal. Glad I found you, was putting off deciphering instruction manual. Thanks again

[IZ]

Awesome John, I am not student but I had been looking for the logics and true method of measuring for last 2 years and here I landed today finally. Thanks for the class.

[claypaul]

I appreciate your wealth of information and knowledge. Finally someone that I can listen to and stay engaged in the topic and keeps my attention.

[barrylucero]

Thank you Professor. I just changed both filters and Transmission Fluid on my 2002 GMC Sierra HD 2500. I was having difficulty on trying to figure out how much automatic transmission fluid to add so I started with 7 quarts as a baseline. I read the dip stick cold and it was barely in the cold zone. Your video helped immensely! Thanks so much for your information., I graduated WSC, Class of 1984, Go Wildcats!

[elcheapo]

Very interesting and educational, Professor. Thank you for sharing.

[electric_sway]

This is the type of nerdy information that I want. Thank you for sharing

[gregrobinson]

thanks for that information. I ve always observed the transmission temps and seen how the dipstick levels rise with temperature. this is very interesting information. another thing that can effect transmission fluid level readings are incorrectly calibrated dipsticks especially if a transmission has been rebuilt or replaced. thank you so much for this video.

[karlrod]

I have just watched it and that was one of the best and most precise video I have seen on youtube.

[groil]

I have watched many of your excellent videos, and I appreciate you in producing these very informative videos!