How to Check Transmission Fluid without a Dipstick; Beginner's Guide
Have you a car with sealed transmission? Thus, you must know how to check transmission fluid without a dipstick. Here's a step-by-step guide for transmission fluid checking.
Checking the level of transmission oil means you're ensuring the smooth run of your car. In traditional vehicles, transmission oil checking was straightforward, just like engine oil. But you may not find an oil dipstick in the modern car.
Now the question is how to check transmission fluid level in cars with no dipstick. If you don't have much knowledge about it, it's nothing to worry about. We're here to help you.
In this article, we'll discuss transmission fluid checking in cars with no dipsticks. Moreover, we'll also discuss the importance of transmission fluid and why dipsticks are disappearing.
Why it's essential to check the transmission fluid level?
People who know the importance of car maintenance also know how important it is to check your car's transmission fluid. Like engine oil that protects and lubricates the engine parts, transmission fluid lubricates the transmission. It ensures that all the parts of the moving transmission parts are running smoothly.
However, if the transmission fluid gets leaked or breaks down after a long travel period, the fluid level will drop. A low transmission fluid level means poor working transmission line due to less lubrication. Consequently, you may have to experience grinding gears.
Basically, the principle of hydraulics is the base for automatics. It means your car needs both pressure and oil to run bands and clutches smoothly. If there is a low fluid level, the pump will begin to suck air instead of transmission fluid. It will result in faulty clutches which can't bear the load more.
On the other hand, having a high transmission fluid level is also not a good sign. High fluid level creates foam. In such a scenario, the hydraulic fluid will try to compress the air bubbles, leading to low line pressure. As a result, your car's clutches will burn. So refill with the good quality transmission fluid for example Redline ATF oil.
So, it's essential to check the fluid level regularly if you want to avoid these harmful effects. Check it at least after every month or after every two months.
Why are dipsticks disappearing?
Just imagine you want to check the transmission oil level and don't find it. Most probably, you will contact customer support to know "where is the dipstick"? And more likely, you'll get the answer that their latest model of car comes without a dipstick. Amazingly, this would be the scenario with all the latest models of vehicles.
The world is moving toward technology. So, people would prefer the technology to check the transmission oil level for them. That's the reason automobile companies are using level sensors to update you about the transmission level.
Some are using the drain plug with a combination of standpipes instead of dipsticks. Removal of these transmission drain plugs will lead to the draining of extra fluid. As a result, the level of transmission fluid will be up to the desired level.
How to check transmission fluid without dipstick?
Having no dipstick for transmission fluid checking may shock you. However, it's also an indication that your vehicle has a sealed transmission engine. Do you know how to check transmission fluid level in such a scenario? Well, you can follow all the following steps to check the transmission fluid level of your car.
Step 1: Check whether your car has a dipstick or not:
The transmission fluid dipstick may have a different location in different models of cars. Check carefully under the hood to locate the dipstick. Typically, a dipstick has T-shaped or ring-shaped handle, making it easy to find. If you don't see any dipstick in your car, move to the second step.
Step 2: Consult the car manual to know if your car has a sealed transmission:
Read your car manual carefully to know if there is a sealed transmission or not. If you own a car with a sealed transmission, it's better to take your vehicle to the garage with a hydraulic car lift.
Step 3: Check the transmission fluid temperature:
Fluid checking without dipstick means you need to access the drain and fill plugs. For this purpose, you have to move under the vehicle to check the fluid. Or you can say that transmission should be cool. Ideally, the fluid temperature should be 185-194-degree.
So, first of all, check the transmission fluid temperature. But the question is how to check transmission fluid temperature? Well, a scan tool is best to know the fluid temperature. Otherwise, you can also use a digital kitchen thermometer.
Step 4: Supply air to the transmission fill plug:
● Make the front fender well free from all the clips and bolts
● Find the transmission fill plug there
● Remove the fill plug
● Locate the fill hole and install the transmission fill adapter into it.
● Connect this fill adapter to a vacuum regulator
● Adjust the fluid regulator with the fluid extraction tank.
● Supply the air at a 100 psi
Step 5: Check the drain plug:
● Find out and remove the transmission drain plug. If there is a vacuum, the fluid will never drain out. Also check any leakage of transmission fluid near drain plug.
● Attach the level gauge with the drain plug and tighten it manually. The gauge height should be as suggested by the manual. A right gauge height will move the standpipe to a proper level.
● Turn off the vacuum and see whether the fluid is coming out of the gauge or not. If you observe fluid coming out of the gauge, it means transmission fluid was present in excess. However, if there is no fluid, there is less fluid or the right amount of fluid. Whatever the scenario was, the addition of Toyota transmission fluid can make it perfect.
Final thoughts:
Transmission fluid checking in cars with no dipsticks can be challenging. Typically, it would be best to take your vehicle to a mechanic if it has a sealed transmission. Actually, a slight mistake can lead to a huge loss. If you still want to do it yourself, follow all these steps on how to check transmission fluid without a dipstick. We're sure you will find it easy to do if you follow all the steps carefully.
