How to read transmission fluid dipstick hot cold

Your vehicle shouldn't lose automatic transmission fluid in normal operation, so if the level is down, there's a good chance there's a leak somewhere. Consult a service professional immediately to have it addressed to avoid possible damage to the transmission. Also, some automatic transmissions do not have dipsticks or may require that a service professional inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Check the vehicle's owner's or service manual.

Table of Contents Show

Step-By-Step Instructions For Checking Your Vehicle's Transmission Fluid
Did You Know?
Checking Transmission Fluid Levels
Transmission Repair Service
Ensure Your Transmission Runs Smoothly
How do you read a hot and cold transmission dipstick?
What does it mean when transmission dipstick reads hot?
Should transmission fluid be drained hot or cold?

Step-By-Step Instructions For Checking Your Vehicle's Transmission Fluid

Park vehicle on level surface, engage parking brake and start engine. Leave car in neutral or park. Let engine warm up and continue to run throughout operation unless vehicle's owner's manual says otherwise. (Be aware that some automatic transmission fluid levels are checked with the engine off. Check owner's manual.)
Locate automatic transmission fluid dipstick, typically near where the transmission or transaxle meets rear of the engine. It looks similar to the oil dipstick.
Remove automatic transmission fluid dipstick. Wipe clean, reinsert fully and remove again. CAUTION: FLUID MAY BE HOT!
Observe markings at end of dipstick. Your dipstick might have two markings for "full"—one warm, one cold. If the automatic transmission fluid level does not come up to the "warm" line, you'll need to add automatic transmission fluid.
Insert long funnel into automatic transmission fluid dipstick hole. Carefully add automatic transmission fluid in small increments and recheck level each time until fluid level reaches "warm" line. CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT ENGINE PARTS!
Reinsert automatic transmission fluid dipstick fully. You're done!

Did You Know?

Note: These instructions are intended as general guidelines. Please consult your owner's or service manual for specific instructions on changing the oil and filter on your vehicle. Use extreme caution when lifting or jacking any vehicle.

If transmission fluid levels are low, it can prevent the vehicle from operating safely in Syracuse and Baldwinsville. There are some steps that can be taken to check the fluid levels if your car has a dipstick.

Checking Transmission Fluid Levels

If you're going to be checking the transmission fluid level at home, it's a good idea to warm up the car before you do so. If the car is checked while the engine is cold, it might give an inaccurate reading when you use the dipstick. After driving for about 10 minutes, park on an even surface and leave it running.

Shift through the gears and give the transmission the opportunity to spend a few seconds in each gear range. Then, put the car back into park and set the parking brake.

Open up the hood and locate the transmission dipstick. The owner's manual is a good place to look for instruction if you can't find it. Typically with a rear-wheel-drive car, the dipstick will be closer to the passenger side near the engine. Front-wheel-drive cars will have the dipstick on the driver's side, closer to the transmission.

Take the dipstick out, wipe it down with a clean rag or paper towel, then put it back into the transmission fill tube. Pull the dipstick back out of the tube, and check the fluid level against the markings near the end of the dipstick. Fluid can be added if necessary.

Every vehicle is different, which is something you'll want to keep in mind. Recently, some manufacturers have decided to remove the dipstick and replace it with a sealed-off unit, which requires electronic testing or a computer scan. If you don't want to check transmission fluid levels at home, or your car has one of these sealed units, our service team will be happy to do it for you.

Transmission Repair Service

When adding transmission fluid at home, be sure to use what the manufacturer recommends. This can be found in the owner's manual. If the transmission needs more than a quart of fluid, or it seems like the fluid is being used frequently, our service team should inspect it to see if there may be a leak.

If a transmission is struggling, it may make a thud noise if the gears aren't shifting properly. If the car isn't accelerating or reaching highway speeds easily, that may also be a sign transmission repair is necessary. Learn more about our service offerings by reaching out to our maintenance team today.

Ensure Your Transmission Runs Smoothly

Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for all of those important parts inside the transmission. When it comes to transmission fluid flushes and other transmission repairs, visit Maguire Dealerships near Ithaca, Trumansburg, and Watkins Glen.

It's our goal to ensure your transmission is running as it should in Syracuse and Baldwinsville. Contact us to schedule a service appointment today.

How do you read a hot and cold transmission dipstick?

Pull the dipstick out again and check the fluid level. If the engine is cool, it should be at the upper end of the “COLD” mark. If the engine is hot, the level should be at the upper end of the “HOT” mark. If it's lower, you should add some amount of automatic transmission fluid.

What does it mean when transmission dipstick reads hot?

Hot is when the transmission and engine is fully up to temperature. So, 15 minutes of driving or so.

Should transmission fluid be drained hot or cold?

Fluid changes should only be done when the engine and transmission are at normal operating temperatures. With your vehicle raised, let the engine idle for a few minutes, then turn it off. When the transmission fluid is still warm, but the vehicle has cooled down, you're ready to remove the old transmission fluid.

read transmission fluid dipstick hot cold