Most automakers fill the automatic transmission with lubricant, hoping that it will not be changed throughout the entire life of the car. Experienced drivers monitor the fuel and lubricants data and regularly monitor its level.
Extraneous sounds, vibration, jamming and other problems in the operation of an automatic transmission are often caused by insufficient lubrication. The substance may not be enough due to its leakage, production, oxidation, precipitation. When problems arise, the first suspicion falls on this very reason. To go to the workshop for inspection, to waste time and money, seems impractical for many. And when a problem arises far out of town, there is simply no such opportunity. Therefore, every owner of a car with an automatic transmission should know how to check the oil level in an automatic transmission.
First of all, refer to the instruction manual of the car. In it you will find the answer to the question of how to correctly check the oil level in the automatic transmission of a machine of a particular model. If the manual is not at hand or it is written in a foreign language, the procedure can be understood using the simple instructions below.
Before you check the oil in the automatic box, you need to understand why this is being done. Knowing the basic principles of the functioning of a fluid in a system, it will be possible to identify various problems. This will also help when communicating with the master at the service station.
Why check the amount of fluid or what is the lubricant for in an automatic transmission?
The question may sound ridiculous. But many believe that lubricants are simply meant to reduce friction between parts. If there is not enough product, then the clutches will be more quickly developed against each other. In fact, the lubricant not only reduces friction, but also removes excess heat, prevents the deposition of dirt on the metal and cleans parts. If there is a lack of ATF in the box, the following processes take place:
- Accelerated wear of parts due to increased friction.
- Clogging of all surfaces, gaps between the clutches - this leads to sticking when switching, incorrect operation.
- Temperature rise - parts expand, their mechanical strength decreases, polymer parts begin to wear out especially quickly. Because of this, the box does not work correctly, it may not respond to switching, change gears incorrectly or with a delay.
Problems and the strength of their manifestation are gradually increasing. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the slightest deviations in the operation of the aggregate unit. If they occur, the first thing to do is check the oil level in the box. If there are no leaks, and the material is not worn out, immediately go to the nearest service station - the faster you can do this, the less the problem will develop, and the repair will be cheaper.
Too much lubricant is also bad. It is obtained with incorrect filling and leads to the following problems:
Safety rules when checking fuels and lubricants
The first thing to be familiar with in any operation with the machine is the safety rules. Neglecting them is a direct path to injury.
When checking the amount of grease and changing it, remember:
You need to work with gloves. This simple rule will save you from the unpleasant consequences of contact with hot metal and accidental spilling of liquid on your hands. Of course, the fireproof protection is inconvenient - hardly anyone will wear it just to check the oil level in the box. If you proceed with caution, you can simply use rubberized products.
General principles and order of work
It is impossible to universally describe how to check the oil in an automatic transmission - the general rules do not reflect the features of working with a particular machine. In practice, such instructions are useless. If there are no operating rules at hand or they are written in unfamiliar languages, you need to be guided by logic and basic principles.
Basic principles of liquid testing:
- Checking the oil level in the automatic transmission is carried out using a dipstick - a special device that is immersed in the oil compartment.
- In most cases, the dipstick is located under the hood and has a yellow cover. A different colored cap is located nearby - most likely a dipstick for checking the transmission fluid.
- Most often, the measuring fixtures have marks for "cold" and "hot" checks. That is, to check when changing the automatic transmission oil and with a warm engine. The latter method is used only during repairs, when it is not possible to start the engine.
- The control of the lubricating composition is carried out with the engine running - the pump must fill the compartment to the operating level. When the motor is off, there is less fluid in the system.
- The engine is warmed up by driving 10-15 kilometers. This is the most reliable way. Simple idling, shifting the lever to different positions will not give the desired results.
The oil level in the automatic box is checked according to the following algorithm:
- Warm up the car. After driving, switch to parking mode and wait 2-3 minutes.
- Find the dipstick, clean the area around it with a soft, lint-free cloth - the lubricant should not contain inclusions in the form of pieces of cloth, dirt, dust. They will additionally clog the filter.
- Remove the dipstick and wipe it dry with a clean cloth (not the one you just wiped around the area).
- Insert the dipstick back and wait 4-5 seconds.
- Repeat pp. 2-4 and compare the results. If they diverge, believe the latest data.
Features of checking cars of different brands
| Brand | Peculiarity |
|---|---|
| Audi | The manufacturer does not equip its automatic transmissions with feelers. Instead, viewing windows are used. Most often they are located on the bottom. Therefore, you need to check the oil level by driving the car onto an overpass or pit. If the model is equipped with a dipstick, then the oil level in the gearbox is checked with neutral gear engaged, not parking. |
| Volkswagen | |
| Bmw | Like Audi, the German concern often equips an automatic transmission with a viewing window. If there is a probe, then the check is performed according to the described algorithm. |
| Dodge | Checking is carried out in neutral |
| Hyundai | |
| Jeep | |
| Mazda | |
| Mitsubishi | |
| Honda | On some models, the amount of lubricant must be determined when the engine is cold. |
What to look for.
Automatic transmission fluid is a very special oil. It has unique characteristics and must retain its properties at temperatures from -40 to +400 degrees. Oil serves not only to lubricate automatic transmission mechanisms, it helps to cool the box and is a working fluid. It is the oil that transfers the torque from the engine to the wheels of the car through the automatic transmission. And at the expense of oil, gear changes are made. Without oil, the automatic transmission simply will not work, and if something is wrong with it, it will quickly fail. Therefore, so that the car does not become real estate, it is necessary to carefully monitor the level and condition of the oil.
Oils for automatic transmission of different cars
The symptoms of most automatic transmission problems are in its abnormal operation:
- dynamics falls, the behavior of the car and its acceleration characteristics change;
- when shifting gears, jerks, delays are observed;
- one or more programs are missing;
- box self-diagnosis system shows errors on the dashboard;
- the car does not move when the gear is engaged;
- the box makes strange sounds: howling, crackling, grinding, banging, and so on.
How to check the oil level in an automatic transmission?
Diagnostics of any changes in automatic transmission operation begins with diagnostics of the oil condition.
In most cars, it is quite easy to see the oil level in the automatic transmission.
The procedure is as follows:
On some automatic transmissions, the measurement rules may differ. For example, it is possible to correctly determine the oil level in them only on a cold one. In such automatic transmissions, only the inscription COLD is present on the dipstick. On some probes, the marks may not be related to temperature conditions at all and have a different designation (for example, OK), or they may simply be notches or non-letter marks on the dipstick. In some vehicles, the measurement is carried out with the engine running or with the gear selector in neutral.
On modern automatic transmissions, the probe may not be at all. Manufacturers began to create their transmissions maintenance-free. That is, the oil in them is designed for the entire service life of the car or until the first major overhaul. Some of these automatic transmissions, indeed, fulfill the manufacturer's statement. But not all. In addition, most drivers drive a car with automatic transmission completely incorrectly and subject them to unnecessary stress. Add to this the harsh continental climate: driving in two-hour traffic jams at a temperature of +40 or driving at -40 with constant warming up and slipping on ice and snow.
Car while driving on a snowy road
As a result, oil in maintenance-free automatic transmissions behaves exactly the same as in serviced ones. It turns black, saturated with fragments and remains of the box mechanisms, becomes contaminated with the remains of plastic and rubber. And it loses its properties, which further leads to the failure of the transmission. They say about such boxes that it is really possible not to change the oil of 200,000 kilometers, just then, along with the oil change, the box itself changes.
Fortunately, it is still possible to change the oil or simply monitor its level on such cars. Instead of a dipstick, they have a control hole through which the oil level is correctly set if the box needs repair.
The measurement procedure on such vehicles is as follows:
- The automatic transmission warms up; for this, the car drives from 5 to 20 kilometers.
- Then the car is driven onto a horizontal platform. But this is provided that in order to get to the control hole you do not need a pit or a lift.
- The cork is unscrewed. If the oil has spilled, its level is ok. It is better to use a container and see how much has poured out - the level may be higher than normal. If the oil is not pouring, then it must be topped up.
Topping up oil in a maintenance-free automatic transmission when its level is low
If the oil level in the box is low, it must be topped up immediately. The box itself cannot consume oil like an engine. If the level has dropped significantly or falls constantly, it means that somewhere in the box there is a leak. Low oil level is very bad for the box. Those mechanisms and parts of it that receive less oil start to burn and fail. A low oil level leads to a violation of the temperature regime, a sharp decrease in the resource of the automatic transmission, a decrease in pressure in the automatic transmission and breakdown of its individual parts. Without oil, the box is able to travel very little and such a mockery ends up in a very, very expensive repair. The consequences can be very different - from none, to a complete replacement of the machine.
If the oil level in the automatic transmission is too high, this is also bad. If it is higher than the norm, the oil begins to foam and loses its properties. The effect is the same as with the underestimated one.
Foamed oil should not be confused with isolated air bubbles. Their appearance is almost normal and occurs when the probe is taken out. The foamed oil is uniform in structure. Different oils have different smells, but none of them smell like fumes. They also differ in color.
Drainage of used dirty oil from automatic transmission
But during the operation of the car, the oil inevitably darkens, becomes cloudy and crumbs and small metal filings appear in it. When changing the oil, it is worth remembering its original color.
Dirty oil can cause irreparable damage to the box. Particles of metal in the oil will begin to abrasively process all the insides of the box, the valve body will be the first to suffer. It will begin to issue abnormal pressure, which will lead to an expansion of the list of breakdowns. Sooner or later, some package of clutches will burn out and its glue base will get into the oil, which will saturate the rest of the clutches and very soon they will all fail. Minor symptoms will develop progressively until the box just dies one day. And it is likely that there will be nothing to fix in it.
How to check the oil level in automatic transmissions of popular car brands. Tips and Features
Toyota Corolla and Camry v40
The transmission oil level for Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 is measured only on a warm car, it cannot be measured on a cold one. To do this, you need to drive a Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 at least 5 kilometers. After warming up the engine, the selector lever for Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 is set in position P.
Oil measurement in Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 automatic transmissions should be carried out on a flat area of land. Under the hood of Toyota Corolla and Camry v40, you need to find a dipstick to measure the oil. In order to see the oil level after a trip to a Toyota Corolla and Camry v40, you need to wipe the dipstick with a rag. On the dipstick of Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 there will be two marks HOT and COLD. We will be interested in the HOT mark, which will show what is the oil level in warm Toyota Corolla and Camry v40 cars.
Toyota Prado 120
Toyota Prado 120 does not have a dipstick for measuring the oil level, this automatic transmission is maintenance-free. But in the conditions of Russia, it is better to change the oil on the Prado 120 every 80,000 kilometers. The algorithm for measuring oil in the Prado 120 is similar to other automatic transmissions without a dipstick. If the oil level in the Prado 120 automatic transmission is higher than the norm, this is a sign of a malfunction in the operation of the box.
Chevrolet Cruze
There is no dipstick for measuring oil in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission. The Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission is maintenance-free; manufacturers claim that the oil will last for a long service life of the car. Despite this, the level and condition of the oil in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission can still be checked. To do this, you need to lift the Chevrolet Cruze onto a lift and find the control plug on the automatic transmission.
After the control plug of the Chevrolet Cruze is unscrewed, oil will flow from there, and if it has not poured, then the oil level in the automatic transmission of the Chevrolet Cruze is insufficient. If the oil in the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission has a normal level, then it will not be superfluous to see its condition. You can add oil to the Chevrolet Cruze automatic transmission through the breather at the top of the box.
Peugeot 206, 307, 308, Renault Sandero and Citroen C4
Peugeot models 206, 307, 308, Renault Sandero and Citroen C4 are equipped with automatic transmission AL4. Automatic transmissions Peugeot 206, 307, 308, Renault Sandero and Citroen C4 are maintenance-free. However, due to the design features of the automatic transmissions, Peugeot 206, 307, 308 and Renault Sandero are very sensitive to the condition of the oil. Peugeot 206, 307, 308 and Renault Sandero gearboxes with insufficient oil level overheat and fail. You can measure the oil level on automatic transmissions Peugeot 206, 307, 308 and Renault Sandero using the control hole. The procedure for measuring the oil level on automatic transmissions Peugeot 206, 307, 308 and Renault Sandero is similar to other maintenance-free boxes. To measure automatic transmissions Peugeot 206, 307, 308 and Renault Sandero must be warmed up by driving at least 5 kilometers. STO specialists recommend, before measuring, sequentially switch the automatic transmission selector for Peugeot 206, 307, 308, Renault Sandero and Citroen C4 in all positions, lingering in each for 30-60 seconds.
Ford Focus
Automatic transmission Ford Focus maintenance-free. The oil in the Ford Focus automatic transmission is calculated up to the first overhaul - this is approximately 120,000 kilometers. Automatic transmission Ford Focus has a control hole through which the oil level is measured. To measure, you need to warm up the Ford Focus automatic transmission, it is impossible to correctly determine the level on a cold one. The real oil level of the Ford Focus automatic transmission can be measured only on a level surface, after the car has warmed up. If the Ford Focus automatic transmission oil does not flow out of the control hole, then its level is insufficient. There is a filler for filling oil in the automatic transmission Ford Focus. It is recommended to check the oil level in Ford Focus at least once every 60,000 runs.
Hyundai Solaris IX35 and Accent
Automatic transmission Hyundai Solaris IX35 and Accent do not need an oil change, it is filled for the entire service life of the box. The Hyundai Solaris IX35 and Accent automatic transmissions have a dipstick for checking the transmission oil level. To correctly measure the oil level in the automatic transmission Hyundai Solaris IX35 and Accent, it is necessary to warm up the box by driving 20 kilometers on it. It is not recommended to carry out the measurement in an unheated machine, as the result may be inaccurate. Correct measurement of the oil level in the automatic transmission Hyundai Solaris IX35 and Accent is possible only on a level surface.
Some Hyundai Solaris IX35 automatic transmissions come without a dipstick for measuring the oil level. For such automatic transmissions Hyundai Solaris IX35, it is necessary to measure the level through the control hole. Unscrewing the Solaris IX35 plug will pour oil out of it. If more than 0.5 liters of oil from Solaris IX35 flows out, this means that the level is higher than necessary. Driving the Solaris IX35 with an oil level below the norm can have dire consequences, as well as with an overestimate.
Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento
On the automatic transmissions of Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento, there is a dipstick for measuring the oil. To correctly measure the oil level of the Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento automatic transmissions, you will need to warm up the car. This is necessary in order to measure the amount of oil accurately, and this cannot be done in an unheated machine. The measurement of the oil level of the automatic transmission Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento is carried out on a flat surface so that there are no imbalances in the oil level inside the box. Then you need to remove the automatic transmission dipstick Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento, wipe it and insert it back into place. For a warmed-up automatic transmission of Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento, you must look at the HOT mark. If the automatic transmission oil of Kia Rio, Sid and Sorento is at this level, then everything is fine. If the level is higher or lower, it can have serious consequences for the transmission.
Volkswagen Bora, Tuareg, Jetta and B5
Volkswagen cars are equipped with various automatic transmissions - both serviced and not. Volkswagen Bora and Tuareg of the new generation are equipped with maintenance-free boxes. For Volkswagen Tuareg and Bora, the procedures for monitoring the transmission fluid level are similar to other automatic transmissions without a dipstick.
Opel astra
Opel Astra is equipped with maintenance-free automatic transmissions. To measure the oil level in the Astra automatic transmission, you must use the control hole. When removing the control hole plug from the Astra automatic transmission, oil will flow. If this does not happen, then the oil level in the Astra is low, which means it is necessary to top up it.
Audi A6
The oil in the automatic transmission Audi A6 is poured for the entire service life of the automatic transmission. It Audi A6 can serve until the first repair or overhaul. The overhaul period for the Audi A6 automatic transmission comes after 200,000 kilometers. In order to increase the lifespan of the Audi A6 automatic transmission oil, it is better to check the oil level every 50,000 kilometers, for this there is a control hole.
Mercedes w210
On the Mercedes w210, automatic transmissions can be found both with a dipstick and without it. If the automatic transmission Mercedes w210 has a dipstick, then measurements are made on a warm car.
Oil dipstick in automatic transmission Mercedes w210
If there is no probe on the Mercedes w210 automatic transmission, then measurements can be made only by lifting the car on a lift and finding a control hole. If oil poured out of the control hole of the automatic transmission Mercedes w210, then everything is in order. By draining the w210 oil into a container, it is necessary to check how much it will leak. If the level is above the norm, this indicates that the automatic transmission is not working properly.
Infiniti G35 and FX35
There is only one OK mark on the probes of the Infiniti G35 and FX35 automatic transmissions, according to which the compliance of the level with the recommended one is determined. If the oil level in the G35 and FX35 is higher than normal, this indicates a malfunction in the automatic transmission, diagnostics are needed.
Dodge Stratus
These cars have a dipstick with standard markings.
Sanyeng Kyron
Automatic transmission Kyron is maintenance-free, but it is recommended to look at the oil level at least once every 20,000 kilometers due to the low reliability of the gearbox. A control hole is used to track the level.
Mazda CX series
The oil in the Mazda CX series is checked using a dipstick. On the CX 7, for example, it has a bright red mark, which makes it easy to determine the oil level. The measurement of the oil level on the automatic transmission CX is carried out after the vehicle warms up to a temperature of 65 0 С.
Nissan Qashqai
The automatic transmission Nissan Qashqai does not have a dipstick for measuring oil. Automatic transmissions from Nissan are very reliable, leaks are very rare. In extreme cases, in such a Nissan automatic transmission, the oil level can be measured using the control hole. It is recommended to arrange such checks in Nissan every 60,000 runs. Driving at a low oil level in a Nissan automatic transmission or when it is higher than normal can be dangerous for the box.
Volvo XC90
Getting to the dipstick of the Volvo XC90 automatic transmission will be quite problematic. For some reason Volvo placed it in a hard-to-reach place: between the cooling pipes and the wiring. It is recommended to check the oil level in Volvo every 50,000–60,000 kilometers.
Not every driver knows how to correctly check the oil level in an automatic transmission. Moreover, many are sure that this procedure does not make sense, and the ATF fluid in the machine is designed for the normal service life of the car and cannot disappear by itself. And sometimes similar information can be read in the official instructions supplied with the car.
However, every experienced auto repairman will say that this is a commercial move, and it is not just necessary, but necessary to monitor the level of the transmission fluid. Otherwise, a logical question arises: why are metering devices provided on the machines?
Checking the oil level in the automatic box is a simple operation that does not require highly specialized skills. And with the proper approach, this procedure will help to avoid unplanned repairs. How to carry out this procedure yourself and at the same time get the most reliable results - read the article material.
Why is the wrong oil level in the automatic transmission dangerous?
Often, the minds of seasoned drivers, raised in the Soviet car industry, are littered with many stereotypes that are inapplicable to modern high-tech cars. For example, there is such a belief: you cannot spoil porridge with butter. That is, when applied to a gearbox, this means that it is better to overfill than underfill a little.
In fact, in modern automatic transmissions, the transmission fluid should be exactly as much as indicated on the dipstick or limited by a control insert mounted in the pallet. Let us consider in detail why the oil level in the automatic transmission is dangerous if it does not meet the technical requirements.
A reduced level, especially after the oil pump has pumped air into the system, will quickly affect the performance of the vehicle. Trapped air in the torque converter will distort the transmitted torque as well as overheat the entire automatic transmission.
This will accelerate the oxidation process of the transmission fluid and its premature degradation. In practice, this can be expressed in floating engine speeds under load due to incorrect operation of the torque converter, jerks or dull intermittent noise.
Also, air locks in the control lines will lead to a delayed or incorrect closing and opening of the clutches. The air in the system will negatively affect not only the speed of operation of the hydraulic valves, but also their durability.
In practice, the presence of air in the control circuit will have the following consequences:
- delayed engagement of gears;
- an abrupt transition from one gear to another, accompanied by a characteristic jerk of the car;
- slipping of clutches with all the ensuing consequences (howling gearbox, drop in power and maximum speed, accelerated wear of planetary mechanisms and friction joints, automatic transmission overheating).
An excessive amount of working fluid is equally dangerous. As a rule, this problem appears with unqualified maintenance of the box. Often, after a complete or partial replacement, auto mechanics forget to check the oil in the automatic transmission, or measure its level incorrectly.
Excessive lubricating fluid leads to its excessive entrapment and splashing by rotating planetary gears and, as a result, intensive foaming. Air bubbles enter the line. And this leads to the consequences described above for an insufficient amount of oil.
How much oil should be in the box
The oil level in the automatic box differs and depends on the characteristics of the car, so see the manual for the car. Such information is always present in the documentation.
In a practical sense, it has an applied meaning, how much oil should be in the automatic transmission. This is a reference. It is only important to maintain the level of the working fluid in accordance with the available measuring instruments. 
If we consider the volume of ATF liquid in machines, then there are two indicators that are used during maintenance:
- volume required for partial replacement;
- the volume required for a complete replacement (and one must not forget that the volume of oil that was initially filled into the transmission does not correspond to the amount required for a complete renewal).
There is quite a lot of material on how to reliably check the oil level in an automatic transmission after a complete or partial replacement. Moreover, the techniques in each individual case may differ.
- preliminary running the oil through the system by switching the selector to all available positions;
- warming up the system to the required temperature.
After completing the additional steps specified in the technical documentation, you can accurately assess the level of transmission fluid in the automatic transmission.
How to check the oil in the automatic box
If we take the daily operation of the vehicle, then it is not necessary to assess the oil level in the automatic transmission before each trip.
- at each regular maintenance;
- after performing any repair work on the vehicle's transmission;
- in case of the appearance of extraneous sounds from the side of the box or changes in the behavior of the car;
- if you find oily stains under the car;
- after updating or adding ATF.
Checking the oil in the automatic transmission, depending on the design features of the machine, in most cases is possible in the following ways:
- using a probe;
- through the control or drain hole.
The plastic limiting sleeve is typical for boxes fitted to BMW cars. She does not give an idea of how much oil is in the box right now. This tool serves as a kind of control tool.
If there is an excess of transmission fluid in the automatic transmission, then the excess amount will come out through the drain hole. It is difficult to judge the lack of oil by the bushing. As a rule, if there is a suspicion of a small amount of grease in the box, top-up is carried out until a leak occurs through the drain hole..
Measuring with a probe gives a more objective picture. There are often COLD and HOT marks on the dipstick. It is necessary to focus on the COLD mark during measurements on a cooled automatic transmission, respectively, the HOT mark is intended for hot check.
This allows you to correctly and objectively check the oil level in the automatic transmission, regardless of whether it is hot or cold.
What you need to check the level of automatic transmission and how to check - video instruction
Conclusion
To check the oil in the automatic transmission, it is advisable to use the information from the manufacturer. In the absence of technical documentation, you can follow the general recommendations:
- check after the automatic transmission has warmed up to operating temperature;
- before checking, bleed the system, letting the box run in all selector modes for at least 10-20 seconds;
- perform the check again after a short period of time.
Otherwise, the ATF level in an automatic transmission is monitored according to an individual technology developed by the manufacturer.
- this is one of the most important issues of car service, on which not only the technical condition of the box itself depends, but also the fuel consumption. Also, most transmission breakdowns are associated with a disgusting condition of the oil or with the wrong level. Thus, it is possible to avoid numerous problems with the gearbox only by changing the fluid and bringing it to normal. It is recommended to check the liquid at least once every two weeks and do it yourself.
A frequent question that arises, including among car owners with solid experience, is how to check the oil level in the automatic transmission? The whole process is elementary, if the car owner knows well what to look for and where to look. But for a newbie or someone who has just bought a car, checking the transmission fluid level can be difficult.
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How to correctly check the oil mark in the automatic transmission?
- After the motorist determines the location of the checkpoint on the car, he will need to determine its type, namely, to see if there is a dipstick or not.
- This is done easily - under the hood there are bright handles of the probes.
- If there are two handles (as in the photo), this means that the gearbox has a dipstick, with which you can easily set the fluid level. On front-wheel drive cars, the dipstick on the right in the direction of travel shows the fluid level in the engine, and the dipstick on the left shows in the gearbox.
- If there is only one dipstick handle, this means that your box does not have a dipstick and the liquid level in it can be set only by lifting the machine on a lift and unscrewing the check plug. To carry out this procedure very carefully, as you risk being left without oil at all.
- The first thing to do in order to check the fluid level in any type of gearbox is to put the car on a perfectly flat surface, and then set the "Parking" mode.
All instructions regarding the operation of a car recommend checking the fluid level in the gearbox "hot" - when the car is warmed up to a temperature of 90 degrees (on some models it is even advised to check it with the engine running).
Probe boxes
Oil dipsticks in automatic boxes have four "notches" - Max and Min for hot and Max and Min for cold liquid (these "notches" can be either on different sides of the dipstick, or on one).
Probe types, top to bottom: hot check, cold check, universal probe. - If you are checking "for hot", then the level should be between the upper "notches".
- If you are checking "for cold", then the rate should be between the lower ones.
On some vehicles, the dipstick has only two notches - Max and Min. In this case, the oil level must be above Min and below Max for both “cold” and “hot” checks.
Note that on individual boxes, for example DP0 or AL4, the liquid rate can sometimes "change arbitrarily". This effect is associated with a significant number of cavities inside the gearbox, which are sometimes filled with oil and sometimes not.
To be absolutely sure of the level, the check must be carried out not once, but several times and at rather long intervals in time, for example, after one or two days. If, during three to four checks, the oil level is between the Min - Max marks both during the "hot" and "cold" checks, this means that there is just as much fluid in the box as needed.
Checking the liquid level with a dipstick Boxes without probe
Checking the oil in gearboxes that do not have a dipstick may take longer. In essence, it is simply impossible to "determine the level" in a box of this type, it can only be "set".
Automatic transmission without a dipstick has a special "overflow system", which consists of:
- a tube located in a special drain hole;
- plug covering the hole.
Gearbox diagram without dipstick The height of the tube determines the rate of transmission fluid in the automatic transmission. If the check plug is unscrewed, then excess oil will flow, which was above the level of the upper hole. This system was invented to prevent possible fluid overflow during replacement (which is extremely harmful to the transmission). However, it creates many problems for the owner of the car, who does not have the ability to determine the level of contamination of the liquid in the "traditional way".
To carry out the check, you need to drive the car into the hole or "lift" it with the help of jacks (the position of the car must remain horizontal). In this case, it must be warmed up.
Placement of the gearbox plug While unscrewing the drain plug, it is necessary to prepare for the fact that a small amount of liquid will flow from it, which has entered the tube during the gearbox operation. Leaked oil can be collected in a container in order to determine if it is dirty in the entire box and whether it needs to be replaced.
Leakage of liquid after removing the plug Further, you need to add 100-200 g of oil to the norm in the filler neck of the gearbox and watch it flow out of the drain hole. If the oil starts to drip, this means that the level is correct, if not, it must be added until it starts to drip.
As a result of such complications, almost all owners of cars with boxes in which a dipstick is not provided set the required oil level in automatic boxes in the service during a systematic change - for example, once a year. This approach makes the use of the car more expensive, but saves the owner from unnecessary "fiddling" with the automatic transmission.
What to do if the oil level in the automatic transmission is too high?
Overflow is a high level of oil in the gearbox, which can lead to virtually the same negative consequences as a shortage. The only difference is that if the liquid is poured, then it will foam only by the rotating elements of the box and not at idle, as at a low level, but at high speeds. The foamed liquid significantly increases in volume and there is no longer enough space for it in the gearbox, it begins to flow out through the ventilation system. After the part has merged, its real level goes down. As a consequence: repetition of the low-level situation.
What is the threat of a low oil level in an automatic transmission?
Underfilling or lack of fluid is dangerous (especially if automatic transmission DP0 or AL4), that the pump begins to take in air. At the same time, a kind of air-oil mixture is created, which is characterized by low heat capacity and easy compressibility, as a result of which it loses its working characteristics. The result is overheating of the box and rapid wear of parts.
On any automatic transmission, the norm is the FULL mark on the dipstick. It is correct to measure only when the engine is off, that is, on a "cold" one.
If the car has been operated for a long time at high speeds or in the heat, then you can start it 25-40 minutes after stopping the car. That is how much time it takes for the car to cool down.
Optimum liquid level on the dipstick A systematic check of the oil level in the automatic transmission is necessary for several reasons.
Depending on the manufacturer, different ones are installed on the car. And the location of the probes is also different. Let's consider several options.
Maintenance-free automatic transmissions | How to measure the level?
Option one. Some modern models do not have a stylus at all. A control plug is installed instead. This mainly applies to the so-called maintenance-free units. The manufacturer assumes that the automatic transmission fluid does not require replacement for the entire service life of the machine, therefore it is not necessary to control the level. The amount of oil in the transmission is checked only at the next maintenance, which, as all the same manufacturer's engineers believe, is carried out by specialists at service stations. Therefore, when buying or passing the first maintenance, ask the master if there is a automatic transmission dipstick, and if so, where is it located.
But how can you check the level on maintenance-free boxes if there is a suspicion that there is not enough oil? To do this, you need to warm up the car until the oil temperature in the gearbox reaches about 40 degrees. Then the filler cap is unscrewed in the pallet. Don't worry about all the oil coming out. The container is equipped with an overflow system, that is, a tube is installed from the bottom to the upper level through which the excess must go out. In our case, at the rate, only a small amount of oil should leak out, which got into the tube while driving. If the oil does not flow out, you need to add it until it starts to appear. Everything. Norm. We tighten the cork.
Serviced automatic transmissions | Where is the probe located?
Option two. All probes, as a rule, have a bright (yellow, white, red) color of the handle. If you look under the hood (stand against the movement of the car), then the engine oil level dipstick will be located on the left. Sought by us transmission dipstick will be on the right hand, closer to the rear of the engine, the front wall of the engine compartment.
Options for the location of the automatic transmission probe
Option three. Both probes are located on the same side. Then the powertrain oil dipstick will be marked in yellow, and the transmission fluid dipstick will be marked in red.
How to determine the liquid level on the dipstick
Now pay attention to yourself automatic transmission oil dipstick... If it has 4 notches (two - max and two - min), then the lower levels are for checking with a cold engine, the upper ones with a warm one. Some manufacturers make it easier to check: they indicate on the dipstick only the upper and lower limits, as well as the temperature of the transmission fluid (COLD, HOT) at which to measure.
