I think he was refering to the part about not being able to tell how much fluid is in there without opening it up, unless there is a dipstick.

And miami son is right, it's suppose to be level with the fill hole, so just stick your finger in in there and see. If it's low just put more in until it comes out if the hole. and no, low gear fluid won't effect your tranny.

Steel Horse, you use 80w-90 or 75w-90 gear oil in your rear differential. You use ATF +4 in your transmission. Not sure which you were reffering to.

 

How wont it effect the tranny? Half of the point in gears is it keep things running smooth and from getting to hot.

 

No. Lower gear ratios (especially with larger tires) will keep the transmission from getting too hot. All the transmission does is spin the drive shaft, which the Pinion gear is on the end of. The gear ratio determines how many times the drive shaft will spin per 1 revolution if the ring gear (One revolution of the tire). When you have to high of a gear on too tall of a tire that can cause added stress on the transmission.

However all that will happen if you don't have proper fluid levels in the differential will be added wear and tear on the ring and pinion gears, and axel components. It's not going to send heat back up the driveshaft and explode your transmission or anything. It is bad news for your rear end however.

 

Yea I guess but I still think It would put some stress on the tranny. I know all of the wear and tear will be on the ring and pinion. I still would not run around with it half full for the sake of having to shell out a few bucks to get new gears put in.

 

Agreed. Same could be said of any fluid maintinance on a vehicle. Changing the fluids, and keeping them topped off is by far the easiest way to keep things running well, and to keep things from breaking down. It's a shame how often these things are truely neglected by most vehicle owners. Personally I don't think you should own something if you don't know how to take care of it. Especially something you use as often as an automobile. If you shot a gun everyday and never cleaned it would blow up in your face one day...
If you use a knife everyday and never sharpen or oil it, it will become dull, rusty, and useless...

 

ha! burn...

 

Don't worry the ban hammer is coming I can feel it!