jose3030
Premium
join:1999-08-17
Manassas, VA | reply to Hiker 2
Re: Why No More Transmission Dipstick?
I'd rather have a car have all those things, in case something goes wrong.
I hate when a manufacturer tells me "oh, this should be ok".
what if it isnt? |
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Tony
Premium
join:2002-01-12
Natrona Heights, PA | reply to qdemn7
My 95 BMW doesn't have a tranny dipstick. |
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Hiker 2
Zeus
Premium
join:2002-10-27
Lebanon, NJ | reply to jose3030
I agree but it's my wife's car. Seems to be the trend though. But her 99 Saturn SL2 went to 116,000 miles with only the oil changed and one tune up; still had the original breaks at 116,000. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
 ·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
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| reply to qdemn7
There's a way to stop this kind of crap cold.
Simply pass stricter consumer protection laws.
Imagine a law that basically states that all transmissions that cannot be checked or serviced by the owner without specialized tools or a visit to auto shop shall come with a permanent lifetime warranty on the transmission which never expires and is good for the length of time the car exists in the world. Said warranty will guarantee a brand new transmission and reimbursement to the owner for any expenses incurred because of the inconvenience, to be payable immediately by the auto manufacturer or future company that buys said automaker.
If such a law was in place, every car would have a dipstick again, and but quick. 
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Boomerang86
Re: I don't miss it
said by Boomerang86  :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). The problem I have with such wording such as "normal" useage and so on is simple:
If your transmission does fail, and you have been using it correctly, they can "inform" you that you must have been responsible for damaging it by driving it under "extreme" conditions and it becomes your nightmare to try and get your warranty honored. IE Guilty unless you can prove yourself innocent.
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"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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Contents
Contents
join:2003-04-10
Circle Pines, MN
| reply to qdemn7
Re: Why No More Transmission Dipstick?
The '99 Chevy Malibu will have a 11 mil check plug right above the tranny pan on the passenger side. Check it while its running. There is also a large red fill plug located under your air intake. (have fun getting to it)
Some newer Fords (explorer,ect) have a sealed tranny.
And my 98 escort has ATF in the manual tranny.
I had a new Mercedes come in for its first oil change a while back. While procedure is to get a pre-check on the oil first thing, I didn't. After changing the oil and filter, I added the oil and started it. Then went to check the oil level. I pulled out the dipstick to find out it was only a cap. (wish I got that pre-check)
Long story short - The Mercedes oil level had to be checked by the dash's computer after a series of questions and letting it sit for 5 minutes to receive the final result. Something I did not care for at all. |
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3SGTE
ST215W
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
clubs:
| reply to qdemn7
Typically (my experience) the dipstickless transmissions require a very specific internal fluid temperature before the fluid level is checked.
The fluid level varies with temperature, so, to ensure correct setting of the fluid level, a set of instructions/conditions need to be adhered to.
In the Toyota example, there is a drain plug, a fill plug, and an overflow plug.
No tester is necessary, just adhere to the instructions, and the vehicle can let you know when the trans temperature is appropriate.
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Everything in this post is pure BS! |
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qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
| reply to Contents
said by Contents :The '99 Chevy Malibu will have a 11 mil check plug right above the tranny pan on the passenger side. Check it while its running. There is also a large red fill plug located under your air intake. (have fun getting to it) I've got the L4, and the fill port is easily accessible on the passenger side of the engine. As far as the check plug, thanks for the information.
--
I think prostitution and drugs should be legal and regulated, just like alcohol. Too many people want to ban thing based on their “feelings” that certain things are Sins, and all Sins should be banned. Sin Laws should be prohibited. |
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91439306
15,000 Watts of Bass Power
join:2002-10-16
New Milford, CT
| reply to dirtyjeffer
said by dirtyjeffer :just get a car with a manual transmission, and you don't have to worry about it.:p:) Nah, just get a '59 DeSoto. Never a problem to maintain yourself. |
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XknightHawkX
join:2003-02-13
Morton, IL
clubs:
| reply to qdemn7
Ok I am taking a guess at this. One of the reason they don't have a tranny dipstick is because there are a lot of people that don't know a damn thing about cars. I have had a few people ask me which dipstick is for the oil. It is still stupid to get rid of the dipstick. Now seeing I was an idiot and dropped out of 8th grade I have a question. Don't they teach anything basic about a car in drivers ed? Their should be some basics added to the driving test. Checking fluids and some way to see if they have enough common sence on how to change a tire. I know this stuff has nothing to do with driving but come on. To many people don't know a thing about a car except how to start it and drive. I know what I said was a little off topic. Ok I'll stop ranting. |
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53059959
Temp banned from BBR more then anyone
join:2002-10-02
PwnZone
1 edit | reply to Hiker 2
my 2004 jag xjr has no dipstick. it gives the transmission fluid amount & temperature on the engine status readout.
edit: oh and I checked, I have a lifetime warranty through the dealer on my transmission so if I ever have problems I just take it to them |
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MikeKolo
Premium
join:2002-03-03
1 edit | reply to XknightHawkX
said by XknightHawkX :Ok I am taking a guess at this. One of the reason they don't have a tranny dipstick is because there are a lot of people that don't know a damn thing about cars. I have had a few people ask me which dipstick is for the oil. It is still stupid to get rid of the dipstick. Now seeing I was an idiot and dropped out of 8th grade I have a question. Don't they teach anything basic about a car in drivers ed? Their should be some basics added to the driving test. Checking fluids and some way to see if they have enough common sence on how to change a tire. I know this stuff has nothing to do with driving but come on. To many people don't know a thing about a car except how to start it and drive. I know what I said was a little off topic. Ok I'll stop ranting. You're not ranting. I agree. I work on these beasts to make my living and it still escapes me as to why they are doing this. Well I do know why to a certain extent but it's BS as far as I'm concerned. |
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34140721
Small Block Chevys Never Die..
Premium
join:2003-03-25
| reply to dirtyjeffer
said by dirtyjeffer :just get a car with a manual transmission, and you don't have to worry about it.:p:) You still need to check your fluid level in a manual tranny... On my 1960 Vette it's done by removing a fill plug and inserting your finger... Every couple of years, the fluid needs to be topped up... It uses a 80w oil as a lubircation.... |
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clevere1
Premium
join:2002-01-06
Vancouver, WA
·Qwest.net
| reply to livininarizona
said by livininarizona :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. Actually, many manual transmissions use Dex (Automatic Transmission Fluid) instead of Gear oil. For Example, Ford, they use it quite often in their 5 speed transmissions for Trucks, and Mazda as well (which is a ford) and many of their transfer cases as well. Heck, even GM uses Dex on their light duty 5 speed transmissions.
The nissan dealer recommended to me once to add a little dex to the gear oil for smoother shifting... I didn't do it, but it was an interesting recommendation.
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Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and thought to myself - "Where the hell is the ceiling???" |
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qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX
1 edit | reply to qdemn7
After thinking about it, and reading the answers here, I came up with these possible answers:
(1) Many people are too dumb to realize the proper way to check the transmission, or even realize the transmission even needs to be checked.
(2) Many people are too dumb to realize the difference between the oil and transmission dipstick, and ended up putting oil into the transmission, OR the wrong type of transmission fluid, thus damaging the transmission.
(3) I've been told by more than one transmission mechanic that FRESH fluid is highly corrosive to an older transmission, thus vastly accelerating and exacerbating any problems.
(4) Modern transmissions are actually built better, and thus require less service.
(5) As I stated earlier, a transmission will not require any fluid unless problems are occurring. So as long as it's running fine, there's no reason to check the fluid. Something starts going wrong, you take it in and get the vehicle computer checked.
(6) It save the auto manufacturers $$$.
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I think prostitution and drugs should be legal and regulated, just like alcohol. Too many people want to ban thing based on their “feelings” that certain things are Sins, and all Sins should be banned. Sin Laws should be prohibited. |
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a94cruiser
join:2004-11-26
Chicago, IL
| reply to qdemn7
no, they don't teach you anything about cars maintenance or checks or anything like that in drivers ed. I got my sister a 1990 Toyota Corolla with 3speed auto and 1.6litre 4cylinder.
I previously owned a Geo Prizm with a manual 5speed but it was essentially a Toyota car (joint venture with GM). Her first question was how will she switch gears and she freeked out when I told her the shifter was on the floor (she assumed it was a stick, as she drove a taurus for drivers ed with a column shifter)
I told her numerous times to check the oil level showing her exactly what to do, blah blah blah
I would check the fluid level once a week or two myself and it would always be low. A few times there was less than a quart of oil! After she had an accident in the car, totally not her fault she told me she had no clue at all how to check that stuff.
I'm glad I own a car with a dipstick for both motor, and trans. If I ever have the money to buy a new car I will walk away from one that does not have a tube for trans.
I think the manufacturers want to advertise all this maintenance free this and that but don't care what an owner of a 10 yrs old car need to do to maintain a vehicle with 180K miles. Of course the manufacturer will want to sell you a new model. And yeah, good luck proving you did not drive the card hard or tow, or whatnot. |
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Thorax
Premium
join:2003-09-13
Huntington Beach, CA
| reply to qdemn7
Why do they do it?
It's because of all the inexperienced and basically lame people in the aftermarket.
If you can't add fluid easily, you can't put the wrong stuff in "our" transmission.
At GM dealerships the techs get a transmission in a plastic sealed crate.
It's already full of the right fluid. To the correct level.
All you do is snap the cooler lines into the radiator...nothing to add.
Warranty pays you less time for replacing one that has this "feature".
The plugs in the pan on every vehicle that does this isn't accurate.
Add at least 1 extra pint of the appropriate ATF fluid and it'll work better (the trans). The levels the upper plug uses is to make sure you use the absolute minumum fluid amount.....it's cheaper that way for the OEM's.
Think about it....it's a win-win-win-win for the OEM's. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to qdemn7
Well I'm not going to be in the New Car market anytime soon so I'll stick with my old steel as it were. 
Thanks to all that replied about their missing dipsticks.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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aboz
join:2001-03-24
Rochester, NY | reply to qdemn7
my '04 vue does not have a trans dip stick, my '04 odyssey does. Both have the same engine/trans. |
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gillespie
Premium
join:2001-11-28
USA | That would almost lead you to believe that a dipstick could be added at a later date..
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res ipsa loquitor! |
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