Question About Checking Trans Fluid

[Sean J Blackburn]

My transmission dipstick says to check the fluid while the temp is 180 degrees and in neutral,and not to add fluid if it is between the two holes for checking while hot.

My question: my transmission never gets over 145 degrees and is usually closer to 130. When I check my fluid level it is half way between the low and high holes for hot. My gut tells me this is fine but wanted to ask since the dipstick specifically says the transmission needs to be 180 degrees.

Thanks all.

 

[caulk04]

You're fine, don't over think it.

 

[Burla]

You check the fluid in neutral because the rfe spins fluid in neutral and not in park. Which means that reading is very accurate to the total fluid level. Fluid expands with temperature, sounds like you have a good tranny on temp but if you use cold level and someday it runs hot then no good. I think your reading is perfect.

good news you don't need bypass like other guys if it is 2010 ram.

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

Thanks guys. I figured the level was OK but thought I'd check to confirm. I guess I'm lucky with my transmission. I don't want to jinx anything but (knock on wood) it's been flawless even with 185k miles and runs cool. Even in the summer when it's 120+ degrees the tranny rarely goes above 160. Actually I wish the air conditioner was as good at staying cool as the transmission

 

[WillyBo55]

I know I’m beating a dead horse here but I just want to make sure. Does the tranny need to be level when checking the fluid on a 68rfe. I recently changed my fluid and I won’t to make sure I e got it right. My temp stays around 130 as well and the only way I can get to 180f is by sitting for a while in neutral

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

I know I’m beating a dead horse here but I just want to make sure. Does the tranny need to be level when checking the fluid on a 68rfe. I recently changed my fluid and I won’t to make sure I e got it right. My temp stays around 130 as well and the only way I can get to 180f is by sitting for a while in neutral

Yeah you want the truck level to check fluids.

 

[caulk04]

If you have a dip stick it's truck level, not trans level.

8 speeds require trans level and are much more involved.

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

If you have a dip stick it's truck level, not trans level.

8 speeds require trans level and are much more involved.

Good to know, thanks for the correction. Mine is a 545rfe so dipstick and truck level.

 

[WillyBo55]

Thanks for the help guys. One more question how do you make sure the truck is level ? Last time I checked the tranny fluid I used a 6’ level to check the left to right across my frame and 2’ level to check the front to back.

 

[caulk04]

Don't over think it, just park on flat ground.

For the 8spd, you're looking for level across the pan rail of the trans. Requires rear tires in the air by 8-9". Quite inconvenient.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

What's a dipstick??

 

[Wild one]

What's a dipstick??

The local politician

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

What's a dipstick??

I can't tell if you are being serious or this is some type of weird joke.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

I can't tell if you are being serious or this is some type of weird joke.

Since my 8 speed doesn't have a dipstick, not to mention my wife's minivan......(but in case you still didn't get it, it's a joke...)

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

Since my 8 speed doesn't have a dipstick, not to mention my wife's minivan......

Yes newer cars often don't have trans dipsticks. However for most of the history of cars the trans had a dipstick and if you are driving even a slightly older car you probably have a transmission dipstick for checking the fluid level. Basically just a metal stick with markings to check the level of the transmission fluid.

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

Since my 8 speed doesn't have a dipstick, not to mention my wife's minivan......(but in case you still didn't get it, it's a joke...)

Thanks for clarifying. I was about to lose faith in humanity if someone on a truck forum didn't know what a dipstick was!

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Yes newer cars often don't have trans dipsticks. However for most of the history of cars the trans had a dipstick and if you are driving even a slightly older car you probably have a transmission dipstick for checking the fluid level. Basically just a metal stick with markings to check the level of the transmission fluid.

um... yeah......

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for clarifying. I was about to lose faith in humanity if someone on a truck forum didn't know what a dipstick was!

I think Montana knew about dipsticks before you were born If you couldn't tell he was making a joke,my post following his should of clued you in

 

[MontanaHandyman]

I think Montana knew about dipsticks before you were born If you couldn't tell he was making a joke,my post following his should of clued you in

What's funny, tho, is after purchasing my Ram, I drive it home, and I'm familiarizing myself with it, and for the life of me I couldn't find the freakin' tranny dipstick! I thought I was going blind! Where on earth did they hide it?? If at first you don't succeed, consult the owner's manual, and voila! (not that I was happy about it... I mean, just becuz you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD!) But thanks to this forum I know how to deal with it, so, many thanks to this braintrust!

 

[Sean J Blackburn]

I think Montana knew about dipsticks before you were born If you couldn't tell he was making a joke,my post following his should of clued you in

Yes would have been a good clue, if I had seen it lol