No dipstick?

[AntiqueIron]

I think we've reached the point where automatic transmissions are no more likely to leak than manuals. When was the last time you saw a dipstick on a manual transmission?

For me at least the dipstick is as much about fluid condition as level.

I pay close attention to the color of oil when checking it- too dark and I change it, life remaining be darned.

Manual transmissions, like drive axles and gearboxes, once they’re broken in tend to be easy on oil. Big concern is really moisture building up.

I service my automatic trans and T case on my truck twice as frequently as I do the axles for that reason. (25k trans/T case, 50k on driveline)

There’s also the bit of trying to add oil to an auto trans that doesn’t have a dipstick, real pain in the behind.


I drive moderate, not a granny but not a lead foot. My trans likes to operate at 120-150 usually but in the summer she’ll warm up to 180 on the hills. Warm enough that oil breakdown will occur. I’ve heard of a lot of transmissions that will run up to 210 or so.

Granted I work on tractors and not cars, but then again I never heard of somebody who never changed the gear oil in a manual box and lost it at 150k (Not that I would try it!) It will kill an auto to do that though.

 

[square1]

just started reading this thread but...
Forcing us back to doing it like some motorcycles. Totally inconvenient for owners who do their own maintenance.

IMO rates right up there with Tesla when they removed the turn signal stalk - actually that is the worst stupid thing I have seen, once it really cost them sales they put them back in the following years, Maybe enough owner complaints will get Ford and RAM to put them back. A bad sensor can also give bad info to the computer. What about kids on a trip driving a vehicle that uses oil no way to know exactly how much to add.

^^^ Prone to snapping off at the red line ^^^

 

[dodge man]

I had a dipstick snap off at the red line on a 2011 Chrysler 300c. I think the plastic swelled a little over time. I actually drilled into the remaining plastic with a small bit and yanked it out.

 

[AntiqueIron]

I had the reverse issue- dipstick was fine on my Silverado, but the tube rusted out and broke in half!

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

 

[Alan W.]

We had a Lincoln that had the same transmission as the her Fusion. Since it was always at the proper level when I checked, when it came time to change I would just drain what I could into a measuring container. Then replace the exact amount I drained out. I did this when I changed oil in the motor. Over about 5 oil changes I figured that I had got most of the transmission fluid changed. It aint like it used to be on vehicle maintenance.

 

[arto98607]

Surprised there is a drain and level plug accessible for changing oil. I don’t remember which vehicle it was but it was a “sealed” trans with no fill port either.

My 2008 M-B W211 is like that.

IE.
No dipstick or level checking plug either, but instead it's filled through the drain plug opening on the bottom!

I have done it couple of times myself and it's not really a big deal, but you need to be "a handyman" with some tools and will need the instructions for your car & proper manual oil pump with adapter.

The design certainly discourages DIY service...


My adapter:

 

[DarkBlack]

View attachment 5473167View attachment 5473168 Then drive it to warm it up and remove the plug and check it again. A dipstick would be much easier.

If the amount of new transmission fluid you ended up putting in it, was reasonably close to the official specified change quantity, then you certainly didn’t have to do that second check.

 

[sd455dan]

Newer? My 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 used a sight glass. No dipstick. I don't know that they were the first but all the 900's and KZ1000's used a sight glass. The Z1 was the first of the 900's. Sight glass is right above the brake pedal on this Z1b.

Yep my 1978 z1000 and also current 40 years newer 2018 z900RS both came with sight glasses.

 

[sd455dan]

My 2008 M-B W211 is like that.

IE.
No dipstick or level checking plug either, but instead it's filled through the drain plug opening on the bottom!

I have done it couple of times myself and it's not really a big deal, but you need to be "a handyman" with some tools and will need the instructions for your car & proper manual oil pump with adapter.

The design certainly discourages DIY service...


My adapter:
View attachment 5473266

VW did that on the automatic 2000 bugs as well. Sucks having to run the engine up to a certain temp and then get under the car to verify oil level. Surprised VW didn't want the car in gear when checking...