qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
| Why No More Transmission Dipstick?
What's the story on late model cars eliminating the dipstick on the automatic transmission? I know a transmission in good running order does not consume any fluid. But at least you could check the fluid to see it was getting burned or whatever. Now the only way to know your transmission might be going out is when it starts slipping or just starts leaking. Dumb.
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs: | On what late model cars? |
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Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs: | reply to qdemn7
Really I have 2002 and Have a dipstick for the Tranny. |
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santy
Don't Follow Me, I'M Lost Too
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join:2001-06-10
Wilmington, IL
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| reply to qdemn7
Some of the Daewoo's did not have a tranny dipstick. You had to check them similar to how you do a manual trans, thru a removeable plug..
The Suzuki Forenza's and Suzuki Verona are that way. Takes a special tool to remove both the drain plugs and the plugs to check the levels..
I also know that some of the small/midsize GM's (cavalier,GrandAm's etc.) also don't have tranny dipsticks but I'm not familiar with any checking procedure with them..
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qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
| reply to Doctor Olds
said by Doctor Olds  :On what late model cars? '99 Chevy Malibu 2.4L DOHC 4 cylinder. |
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MikeKolo
Premium
join:2002-03-03
2 edits | reply to qdemn7
I had a 2005 300m that came to us from the body shop across the street recently and they couldn't figure out how to refill it. It was hit hard in the front lost fluid as well as the lines to the trans. They sent it over to us to complete the repair. It has a filler tube but there's no dipstick. I did some research and found you have to hook a scanner to it and put it in fluid check mode to actually check the level via the computer. The problem is Chyrsler hasn't released enough software to the scanner manufacuters for me to be able to check it the way they recommend.
What I did was to fill the trans. with what I felt might have been lost in the collision and then do what Chrysler recommends for fluid capacity when doing a filter/fluid change. If you think about it even if it was overfilled after the fluid being added it shouldn't matter because at least all air would be removed from the system and any overfill would come out with the trans. pan being removed. In Alldata they do give a capacity spec. for filter/fluid change.
This worked fine except for the fact that the body shop hadn't done their job completely and they didn't secure the cooler lines they'd installed. The customer pick the vehicle up and was driving over the Altamont pass the next day and the unsecured cooler lines rubbed against the serpentine belt cutting them both in half. Back to square one.
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Glenn
I'D Rather Be Skiing
Premium
join:2000-10-05
Wallingford, CT
| reply to qdemn7
Some Audis and VWs are like that. I think it's highly annoying. To check the fluid, you have to hook the car up to a computer, make sure it's under a certain temp. To fill the fluid, you need to pump the fluid into the "pan" on the bottom of the tranny. Why can't they just have a drain and dipstick like 99% of the other automatics out there?
Don't even get me started on this alleged "lifetime" fluid they use. 
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SanFrancisco
Premium
join:2002-05-04
San Francisco, CA
1 edit | reply to qdemn7
said by qdemn7 :What's the story on late model cars eliminating the dipstick on the automatic transmission? I know a transmission in good running order does not consume any fluid. But at least you could check the fluid to see it was getting burned or whatever. Now the only way to know your transmission might be going out is when it starts slipping or just starts leaking. Dumb. Its not just new cars. My 94 Mercedes doesn't have it either. I went and asked my local repair shop to if I was missing it and they said it didn't have one. Really annoying considering I usually check under the hood every 2 or 3 days. |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON | reply to qdemn7
just get a car with a manual transmission, and you don't have to worry about it.:p:) |
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3SGTE
ST215W
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join:2000-11-23
there
clubs:
| reply to qdemn7
For a non-technical, semi-cynical take,
One could say it is because the manufacturers want to advertise lower maintenance costs than each other.
Also, it is one way to prevent the local quick change from using their "universal" transmission fluid. (note sarcasm...)
For me, I would prefer to change my fluid (using the proper type), as a few fluid changes are worth the peace of mind to me.
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GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI | reply to santy
I have a 2004 Grand AM with a 3400 V6 and it has a tranny dip stick. |
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GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI | reply to 3SGTE
How else do you know there is problem with your transmission if you don't drop the pan and check for metal shavings. Also, the only way to change this filter is to do it the right way. |
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3SGTE
ST215W
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
clubs:
| said by GlenQuagmire :How else do you know there is problem with your transmission if you don't drop the pan and check for metal shavings. A few things may happen.
1. The MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may come on,
2. Shifting may become erratic,
3. The transmission may procuce noise while operating,
4. The vehicle may not move.
It is still possible to drop the pan, the only thing to change is the refill procedure.
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Everything in this post is pure BS! |
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stltech
join:2002-01-27
Florissant, MO | reply to qdemn7
My 2002 Explorer (4.6L 5sp auto) doesn't have a dipstick for the tranny.
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livininarizona
Premium
join:2001-08-05
Merced, CA
clubs:
| reply to qdemn7
just a note:
manual transmissions do not use automatic transmission fluid, they use regular motor oil, or some people like to use their dealer specific manual tranmission oil which is just the same, but with some nice additives. GM's syncromesh is awesome.
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santy
Don't Follow Me, I'M Lost Too
Premium,MVM
join:2001-06-10
Wilmington, IL
clubs: | There are still some manual transmission that still take 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil, the same as what is in RWD differentials..
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Boomerang86
Got FUD?
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join:2002-10-18
VampireState
clubs:
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|  reply to qdemn7
I don't miss it
Our 2002 Saturn L-series also has no dipstick; it's supposed to last the life of the car and won't need to be changed UNLESS it's driven under severe conditions (i.e. towing a trailer, extended idling, taxi use).
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gillespie
Premium
join:2001-11-28
USA | reply to Doctor Olds
Re: Why No More Transmission Dipstick?
2003 Pontiac GrandAm GT Ram Air 3.4L
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a_boy1275
join:2004-01-02
Maumee, OH | reply to qdemn7
2005 Chevy Cobalt doesn't have one either. Owner's manual says under normal usage should neve need replacing...we'll see! |
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Hiker 2
Zeus
Premium
join:2002-10-27
Lebanon, NJ | reply to qdemn7
2006 Saturn ION 3 here says change automatic trans-axle fluid at 100,000 miles No stick to check level. Maintenance schedule is pretty sparse before 100,000 miles. |
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