|
|
|
how to check tranny fluid
|
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 7:37 AM
Post #1 of 16
(1669 views)
|
|
how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
on my f150 tranny dipstick there are to holes about an inch apart and then after the second hole, a checkered pattern. my fluid is between these two holes. is this rite? and what do the holes and checkered pattern mean? thank you
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 8, 2012, 8:00 AM
Post #2 of 16
(1658 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
The checkered pattern is the operating range that it should always remain in. it will be higher on the scale when hot but should still be in that range when cold.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jan 8, 2012, 8:06 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 8, 2012, 8:04 AM
Post #3 of 16
(1641 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
Can't say anything for sure and you should add what model year this is? Generally Fords and some others would put a cross hatch area on transmission dipsticks. When warm, running in park on level surface it should be in that area. Check it twice and even turn dipstick to verify level reading.
The holes MAY (some state so on the dipstick) a "cold" area for the level and when warm/hot. Just know that if it reads low it is in pint increments NOT quarts.
If low I strongly suggest finding out why as it should consume fluid but certainly could leak it. If old and just slow seepage a repair may not be called for but rather pay more attention to it as running very low will either or both, stop it from engaging or harm/destroy it for lack of pressure to work inside and they (automatics) don't tolerate slipping without rapid wear out of critical parts,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 9:44 AM
Post #4 of 16
(1626 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
i forgot to say that the dipstick reads that fluid should not be in the checkered range. what do the holes mean?
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 9:47 AM
Post #5 of 16
(1625 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
thank you so much!! it does have a cross hatch, so the fulid should be in this area? mine is between the holes right now when idling hot
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 8, 2012, 10:19 AM
Post #6 of 16
(1620 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
Yes - Dipsticks did put info right on them some including what type of fluid. I'll check a Ford product but near sure no hole which is probably and repeat PROBABLY the high and low marks if it says right on it NOT to be in the "checkered" area.
Begs questions like what year is this truck and are you convinced it's the original dipstick?
T
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 10:34 AM
Post #8 of 16
(1608 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
i am sure its the original dipstick and its a ford f150 1997. dipstick has the ford emblem and a part number on it. also it says "do not add if in crosshatched are." thats all the dipstick says. it has two holes about an inch apart below the crosshatched area, which my fluid comes in between these two holes. so i will add to it until it gets in the crosshatch. my fluid is light red in color and doesnt smell burnt, you think maybe i just have a small leak somewhere? but there is no evidence of a leak on the ground!!! finally, what made me check initially was it began to downshift hard, especially coming out of overdrive. thank you so much again!!!
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 10:38 AM
Post #9 of 16
(1607 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
i am sorry, I just checked and the dipstick reads, "do not add if in the crosshatched area." Again i am sorry. So i am assuming that I need to get it inside the crosshatch? also my color is light red and no burnt smell. has no signs of leak on the ground. any thoughts? Thanks again
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 8, 2012, 10:47 AM
Post #10 of 16
(1607 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
Just looked at my own Ford product trans dipstick and it does (brain phart) needed to see it to remember but does say 'DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA" on the stick. Below are the two hole which should mean the low mark and high mark or full mark. If hot enough as there's a lot of fluid to expand in automatic transmissions it would read in the cross hatched area.
What is hot? Dang - to a transmission and how it was just driven will mean quite a variation. The meaning to me if in the cross hatched area is that even adding one pint would make it too full. Some older, meaning much older cars and trucks would just blow out thru a vent hole if too full and cause no harm but still to be avoided.
There is some wiggle room for the exact spot. Heck, the trans still works if parked on a steep incline either direction or tilting in some parking situation and tolerates the fluid rush to front when braking or rear when accelerating and even accelerating up hill.
Grossly overfilled in common RWD Ford or other makes could cause fluid to foam up as it could touch or aggravate moving parts.
By nature it has to tolerate the extremes to a point.........
T
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 10:51 AM
Post #11 of 16
(1602 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
thank you so much!! u are the best!!!!!
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 8, 2012, 10:55 AM
Post #12 of 16
(1599 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
I'm glad you are paying attention to things like that as it certainly is important. Remember that finding any fluid check low should cause you to find out why if so.
Have a great day,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 5:00 PM
Post #14 of 16
(1579 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
Thank you!!
|
|
| |
|
|
melissagail
User
Jan 8, 2012, 5:02 PM
Post #15 of 16
(1572 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid
|
Sign In
|
|
I have a signifigant "knock/rattle" when it downshifts out of overdrive. I just drive it with overdrive off. Any ideas on that?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 9, 2012, 9:30 AM
Post #16 of 16
(1557 views)
|
|
Re: how to check tranny fluid - F-150 now a noise
|
Sign In
|
|
Now a guess and to check:
Check mounts and anything about trans or parts being loose, u-joints and even exhaust parts can rattle.
It's not the world but would you please either start a new thread for this issue and please state what model year this is?
T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Subaru Forester white smoke at start up
1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start
