I checked my Trans fluid the other day while it was hot on level ground ect. and it was a little low. I added some fluid, checked it, and added more as needed. Thought i was good. Well just went to check it again today to make sure all was well and i checked it while cold to see if it would be anywhere around the cold markings on the dip stick.... well to my surprise the fluid was well above cold and around the hot level. I cranked the truck and let it warm for a bit and checked it and it was back where is it was suppose to be... right between the two hole where it reads hot.

I guess my question is.... when checking cold why would the fluid be that far up.... I am afraid i have to much fluid in there and something bad is about to happen. If anyone can give me any tips soon it would be greatly appreciated!!! THanks in advance

 

It just varies. This is why they say to check it hot. It won't always drop to the cold line when cold. If it shows full when hot, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

alright ... thanks. It was just worrying the heck out of me.

 

When you checked it cold, was the truck running? I believe you are supposed to start the truck cold, that is to say, it has not been running for several hours and the oil and engine block are normal air temperature. Start the truck, put the transmission in each gear for a few seconds, then put it in park and leave the truck running. This would be a "cold" check. Normally, the ambient air temp should be at least 70-degrees F. If you checked it without starting the truck or running through the gears, the trans oil will be high.


"SARGE"

 

Trans should be checked while in neutral, not park. When it's in neutral the fluid will flow through the transmission like it is in gear, where as in park it will not. Thats they way that I have always been told how to do it anyways.

nateroach

 

Yes, NEUTRAL. That's what I meant. RTFM. Says to check in NEUTRAL right on the trans dip stick.


"SARGE"

 

The cold fill line is the minimum amount allowed, but should be checked hot for an accurate level.

 

you don't need to check the transmission while in neutral.

from the service manual.....

The torque converter fills in both the P (PARK) and N (NEUTRAL) positions. Place the selector lever in P (PARK) to be sure that the fluid level check is accurate. The engine should be running at idle speed for at least one minute, with the vehicle on level ground. At normal operating temperature (approximately 82 C. or 180 F.), the fluid level is correct if it is in the HOT region (cross-hatched area) on the oil level indicator. The fluid level will be approximately at the upper COLD hole of the dipstick at 70° F fluid temperature.

I have an aux trans cooler, so both my electrical gauge in the a-pillar pod and my SuperChips claim the trans temp never gets much beyond 150 F in normal driving, so its a little more difficult to use the 180 F temp for max fill. According to the chart, full fluid at 130F shows at the lower of the two holes for hot on the stick.

The most accurate way is to follow the steps in the service manual using a scan tool to measure the temperature of the transmission, and compare the dipstick level to a chart vs. temperature.

 

Everyone on here should have a copy of their Service Manual