When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
What year?
Please do not take this wrong but was it hot when you checked it last night and when you checked it again today was it cold?
Is so, the readings will change.
Do you have an owners manual?
If so, it should provide you with the steps to correctly check the level.
Also, when you say the dipstick is bent, what do you mean exactly?
Can you post a picture?
The dipsticks are difficult to push in...it stops about half way, if I recall correctly.
I checked with the car at full running temp with engine on both times. I just bought a new dipstick just in case. I used exactly 3.5 quarts. Measured a liter more than 2 liters when I drained from the plug, and then there was about a quart or so left when I removed the pan. I checked for leaks under the car.
I checked with the car at full running temp with engine on both times. I just bought a new dipstick just in case. I used exactly 3.5 quarts. Measured a liter more than 2 liters when I drained from the plug, and then there was about a quart or so left when I removed the pan. I checked for leaks under the car.
How do the two dip sticks compare?
"Measured a liter more than 2 liters when I drained from the plug..." Does this mean you drained three liters?
You know, the transmission may have just been over serviced before you drained the transmission.
Consider doing this...do not add anymore, just check it the same way over the next three days and record your findings each time. If you have major differences each day, then you need to find the problem, if they are the same level and it is in range, leave it alone.
If it is consistently high or low, correct as required.
Good advice. I will check for three day to examine whether there are variations in the fluid or it is consistent. If it is consistently at the same level, I will add fluid to get to the correct level. But if there are variations it is probably the stick...
I just serviced mine again last weekend (3x refill). Yes, it's impossible to tell precisely just from the dipstick. At least to me, I don't know what's the exact temperature the marks on the dipstick are meaningful (is it 50-60C like those "sealed" boxes?). I've taken three drives from cold (15-20 min), two of which along the same route, and the levels are between just above the min and slightly above the max.
On forums, I've read people say lower is better, but my car tells me higher is better. I also heard (not going to be responsible for any damage that you do to your car) that the A650E is designed such that unless it's overfilled till the fluid reaches the gears there's no chance of damage; on the other hand, it does suffer from underfilling (erratic shifts, going out of gear). What I do is to put just 2 litres in and make sure 1. fluid close to the notch when cold (needs more than 2L to pass that) and 2. fluid is at least at min after 10min driving and close to / above max after 20min.
One thing I'm sure: if after an hour on the highway the level is still under max, the transmission is underfilled.
Well the only way to get a accurate measurement is to follow these steps
1. Transmission up to full operational temperature. ( not the same as engine temperature) transmission will only reach full temp after a decent drive.
2. Car parked on the same level surface.
3. Run the transmission through each gear allowing time for each one to engage.
4. Leave the engine running.
5. Pull dipstick, wipe , reinsert, pull and read.
6. Right After adding fluid getting a accurate reading is about impossible till the new fluid has had time to drain as not to leave a film on the tube. That's the issue where the marks are on a flat stick. That's why some manufacturers chose to use a S bend at each end of the marks. That way where the marks are doesn't touch the side of the tube.
Also look on bothe the sides of the dipstick when looking at the level. If it's only on one side it's fluid from the side of the tube.
It might be that the first day you were putting transmission fluid down the dipstick hole. The fluid coats the dipstick tube and marks the level higher on the dipstick.
The next day, all the fluid drained out of the tube and you ended up with a lower level on the dipstick.
If the level is consistent the 2nd and 3rd day, you probably have found your actual level of fluid.
If it continued to drop, you probably need to make sure your new Transmission pan gasket is good.
I have a 2005 sc430 and no dipstick What year did the dip stick stop ?
i know you posted this a long time ago mrb, but I think I have an answer.
look at the picture, it show the five speed with dipstick ended in August 2005 and the six speed, no dipstick started in August 2005.
03-02-15, 08:05 AM
Bad transmission dipstick giving incorrect reading of atf level?
