Good question.Has anyone actually seen the ATF low when checked according to the manual? If the level is between add and max, then is is at the safe level. I think some consider it low if not on the full/max mark and that is incorrect.
I at least want to make sure I'm starting out with the proper amount of fluid. But without a classic dipstick, even a mechanic can't readily check it now.Routinely checking transmission fluid is a thing of the past. Transmissions don’t consume fluid so unless you have a leak, it really doesn’t make sense to check the fluid.
Most manufacturers are moving away a transmission dip stick since most owners didn’t follow the proper protocol in order to accurately check the fluid.
My recommendation would be to service the transmission fluid every 60,000 miles and not worry about checking the fluid in between. I would however, check for leaks underneath the vehicle which is straightforward.
Kedis82ZE8 original post had a picture showing the ATF level was below the “L” mark from factory. But the picture was gone after the server update. And the ATF level needs to be in the “central marker area” of the dipstick, not just between “L” and “H” marks like you stated.Has anyone actually seen the ATF low when checked according to the manual? If the level is between add and max, then is is at the safe level. I think some consider it low if not on the full/max mark and that is incorrect.
Mine was just shy of this lower mark at 122F
If that red mark was where yours is, that was the same as mine.
I drained 3.5 qts from factory fill, after some experimentation, a refill of 3.7 qts got my level in the marker.
I agree that routinely checking ATF is not necessary as the ATF won’t be consumed like engine oil. But on our CX-5 case there’re too many reports from those who bothered to check, that the AFT is under-filled from factory. An early checking and adjusting of ATF level from factory definitely is beneficial!Routinely checking transmission fluid is a thing of the past. Transmissions don’t consume fluid so unless you have a leak, it really doesn’t make sense to check the fluid.
Most manufacturers are moving away a transmission dip stick since most owners didn’t follow the proper protocol in order to accurately check the fluid.
My recommendation would be to service the transmission fluid every 60,000 miles and not worry about checking the fluid in between. I would however, check for leaks underneath the vehicle which is straightforward.
I don't know. All (most?) other cars provide a way for the homeowner to do it. I agree that it's gonna be tough for me to do this one in my driveway with any degree of comfort, which may lead to error. But I'm not sure what my degree of comfort is on the factory fill.I suspect that the factory fill is much more precise that a homeowner doing it in his garage. If it isn't leaking or has poor shifting then I'd leave it alone. Ed
I have no transmission problems whatsoever.So did they say they checked it?
Do you have any shift flair into second gear before it’s warmed up?
Totally get it. But what did they say when you went?I have no transmission problems whatsoever.
But I don't want to drive around with a potential "Low Fluid" condition just because it may not be low enough to cause obvious issues.
I have no reason to believe that it's low, just as I have no data to show that it's at the proper level. Proper maintenance requires that I find out. That's the mission I'm on.
I asked twice and they repeated the "It's part of the Inspection" line.Totally get it. But what did they say when you went?
I’m super particular about things like this as well. However, if the fluid was low in a transmission like this, there would be some odd behavior. The lack of issues is your data that it’s at the proper level.
I have a shift flair into second before the vehicle reaches operating temp. Has me concerned. Local dealer “couldn’t reproduce and said the level was fine” which is total bs. As I noted earlier there were no finger prints. The receipt also didn’t specify what was done.
This flair isn’t noticeable if you’re going down hill or are on a flat surface with light throttle. It very well could be expected. Your car could also be doing it and you just don’t notice.
I live in the hills so I notice it every morning. I actually get off the throttle to let the converter lock, then get back on it. Sometimes it skips to 3rd.
Once it’s warmed up, 1-2 shift is great.
I asked twice and they repeated the "It's part of the Inspection" line.
So have you had your tranny fluid checked for certain by someone else?? I couldn't live with a noticeable (potentially damaging) issue like tha, expecially with a cheap fix available. I'd grit my teeth every time it mis-shifted.
My home is 1/2 mile off the paved road on a right-of-way that's a 75' drop. I've never noticed a problem climbing out thilw the thing's cold, and I don't want to convince myself there's an issue. But I paid $$$ for this thing and just want to be certain something as basic as critical fluids are OK. Heck, even cars I got for cheap had their fluid levels maintained. As we all know, it's just common sense. There's no downside to having it checked.
I suspect that the factory fill is much more precise that a homeowner doing it in his garage. If it isn't leaking or has poor shifting then I'd leave it alone. Ed
I'm hip. I was always taught that only the "Hold my beer and watch this" crowd did such things.I haven’t. Crawling under it while it’s not elevated, running and blindly pulling a dipstick isn’t exactly appealing.
Totally possible. That’s also why I drive around it. In the warmer months I don’t even notice it because it reaches operating temp by my second stop and go out of the neighborhood.I'm hip. I was always taught that only the "Hold my beer and watch this" crowd did such things.
Regarding it getting better after being warmed up, couldn't that be due to the fluid level being marginal, and warming it up expands the fluid (which is why you check ithot) so that it's "just enough" volume?
I'm hip. I was always taught that only the "Hold my beer and watch this" crowd did such things.
Regarding it getting better after being warmed up, couldn't that be due to the fluid level being marginal, and warming it up expands the fluid (which is why you check ithot) so that it's "just enough" volume?
Perhaps I was misunderstood:"I was always taught that only the "Hold my beer and watch this" crowd did such things."
Really? One might consider that remark a bit insulting. I've been doing my own maintenance on my vehicles since day one, and that was over 45 years ago. I won't take it as an insult though.
So don't take this as an insult either.
I've always thought that people who can't/won't do their own work...
Oh, never mind.
Perhaps I was misunderstood:
I was not referring to doing work in general, I was referring to starting a car while it is up on blocks in the driveway, and then getting under it.
I've done lots of my own work, but would never think that would be a safe thing to do.