Checking the oil level in an automatic transmission with and without a dipstick

Arguing about which gearbox is preferable - mechanical or machine - useless. In this matter everything depends on preferences one driver or another. However, Automatic transmission makes driving much easier.

This type of gearbox is quite reliable and efficient , so it is preferred by a fairly large number of drivers. For trouble-free operation of the automatic transmission, you only need timely maintenance , which includes the following:

checking the oil level;
monitoring the condition of the transmission fluid;
timely replacement of the transmission filter and ATF.

The need to check the oil level

Whatever gearbox is used in your car, it contains a certain amount of gear oil . In a mechanical or robotic gearbox, this oil acts as a lubricant that protects rubbing parts.

If we take an automatic transmission , then the situation here is somewhat different . In such a box, transmission fluid is used not only to lubricate parts, but also to transmit torque. circulation is carried out through the valve body under very high pressure and affects the clutch packs. gears are switched on . The hydromechanical is the most demanding , so for its normal functionality it is necessary to constantly monitor both the ATF level and the condition of the fluid itself.

Do not forget that not only a low oil level , but also exceeding the maximum permissible level will negatively affect the condition of the automatic transmission.

Let's figure out how to properly check the oil level in an automatic transmission to avoid annoying mistakes.

There is an opinion that oil in the gearbox is necessary only to reduce the friction of parts. Thanks to it, the production of clutches will be reduced and the gearbox will be able to serve without repair for a longer time . All this is true, however, oil is necessary not only to reduce friction of parts, but also to remove temperature from them , which also contributes to rapid wear .

Checking transmission oil without a dipstick

It is necessary to place the vehicle on an overpass with a slight slope and dismantle the protection. This will allow you to top up the transmission lubricant to about. You need to unscrew the filler plug and insert your finger into the hole. If necessary, add product using a special syringe. A long pipe can be used as a device. Lack of oil in the manual transmission can lead to its premature failure. If the first signs of a leak appear, first of all, seals, gaskets, and the reliability of fastening the crankcase and pan are checked. If necessary, worn parts must be replaced with a new set.

Checking the oil level

Before checking the oil level in the automatic transmission , carefully read the operating manual for your car. In this documentation you will definitely find a section that will talk about how to do this correctly. In addition, it will certainly contain recommendations on the volume of oil and which ATF is best to use. In most cases, such a check is carried out using a special dipstick, which is located in the oil compartment.

It has special marks that allow you to perform “cold” and “hot” check of the oil in the automatic transmission. Establishing the existing level of working fluid occurs only when the engine is running , since the pump fills the compartment with oil to the operating level. Otherwise, you will mistakenly detect the oil level as low . Such an error will entail a natural desire to add liquid. In this regard, the maximum permissible level will be exceeded , which will cause problems in the operation of the automatic transmission. There are a number of specific recommendations that are relevant for the vast majority of automatic transmissions. These recommendations include points that help you understand how to properly check the automatic transmission oil level:

Correct checking of the oil in the automatic transmission should be carried out not only when is warm , but also when the transmission itself reaches operating temperature .
The automatic transmission oil is measured a level surface and the engine is running idle for at least 3 minutes. Remember that selector must be in parking mode (lever on o);
Before checking the oil , you should remove the oil dipstick from the automatic transmission and wipe it with a dry cloth. After this, it should be put back in place for 5 seconds and removed . Thus, the oil level in the automatic transmission will be displayed on the dipstick. Repeat this action several times and compare the results. If they do not match, take into account the most recent one;

The level of the measured oil should be located between the Cold and the Hot . In case of a significant deviation, both downward and upward, the oil should be brought to the proper standard.

When carrying out measurement work, as well as changing the oil in an automatic transmission, observe the necessary safety measures. Do not perform any actions with hands not protected by gloves. The composition of some liquids can cause not only skin irritation, but also chemical burns .

Checking the level on a cold automatic transmission

The sequence of actions is as follows:

Place the car on a flat horizontal platform.
Start the engine and let it idle, alternately moving the automatic selector to all existing positions. This will ensure sufficient fluidity of the ATF fluid.
Switch the selector to P (parking) mode.
Remove the dipstick. The engine continues to run.
Wipe it with a clean rag.
Insert back into the slot.
Remove the dipstick again.
Check fluid level.

The reference point will be the COLD mark. If the level is below this mark, the oil must be added to the required level, and then the procedure must be repeated. A level above the mark indicates an excess quantity. It is recommended to drain the excess.

Some nuances when checking the oil level on cars of different brands

In the case of Audi , the ATF level should be checked using a special inspection window located below. Many cars of this family have automatic transmissions without an oil dipstick . To check, you will have to use an overpass or inspection hole.
Checking the oil level on Volkswagen is carried out using a dipstick , and the process itself takes place with running and the gearbox in neutral rather than park BMW , like Audi , does not have dipstick in the box , and the level is checked through a special inspection window. Otherwise, further actions are identical to those described in the corresponding section of this article. Do not forget to first read the technical documentation for your car and find out what conditions must be met in order to obtain the required oil level in the automatic transmission.

Box without dipstick

Controlling the amount of liquid using a dipstick is quite simple. Every car owner can handle this procedure. But how to check the oil in an automatic transmission if the factory dipstick is missing?

If an automatic transmission does not have a dipstick, this often means that there is no need to change the transmission fluid during the entire life of the car. Or the automaker thus limits independent maintenance of the transmission system, transferring this function to service centers that have the appropriate certificates.

Automatic transmissions without a dipstick have 2 openings - oil filler and oil drain. There cannot be an excess amount of oil in an automatic transmission of this type, since it is equipped with a tube through which the excess goes into the pan during operation of the vehicle. But monitoring the decrease in emulsion levels is not so easy. If you doubt that you can do this yourself correctly, contact a specialist.

Let's look in more detail at how to check the oil in an automatic transmission:

Drive the vehicle a few kilometers to bring the transmission up to operating temperature.
Place the car in a hole so that you can examine its bottom. Leave the engine running and switch to Parking mode.
Locate the drain hole on the bottom of the car near the engine location and unscrew its plug. If there is enough emulsion, it will flow out of the opening slightly. If there are not even a couple of drops, then its level is unacceptably low.
If there is too little transmission fluid, add it through the oil filler hole with the engine running. When oil begins to flow out of the drain hole, this will be a signal that you have filled it enough.

When determining the emulsion level, pay attention to how it looks. If there are particles of slag or impurities in it, then it’s time to change the oil.

Every driver should know how to check the oil in an automatic transmission with their own hands. If you master this skill, you will not have to regularly go to a car service for such a procedure. This will greatly help you save additional money.

What happens if there is too much oil or not enough?

Each automatic transmission configuration has its pros and cons. This explains why changing the amount of transmission fluid affects the assembly.

Low oil level in automatic transmission

When level in the machine is below normal , the temperature regime is disrupted . Because of this, are reduced . In addition, oil pump can capture air , which affects the foaming of the liquid.

Ultimately, the pressure level in the system will decrease , which will, in turn, cause overheating and rapid wear of individual elements of the box. All surfaces of parts, as well as the gaps quickly become dirty . As a result, the operation of the box becomes incorrect - gear shifting can often simply begin to jam . temperature at low oil levels causes parts to expand , thereby reducing their existing strength. Polymer begin to wear out faster , since their strength is lower than that of metal ones. The longer the gearbox is operated with a low oil level, the more noticeable the manifestation of deficiencies in its operation becomes. To prevent such a problem from occurring, you should carefully monitor the operation of the box and notice even the slightest deviations from the norm. If they occur, first of all you need to check the oil level in the automatic transmission. If there are no signs of leakage or material wear, add ATF yourself or visit the nearest service station.

Consequences of low fluid level in the automatic transmission

If the oil level is below the Hot mark, this means that there is little fluid or there are leaks in the unit.

Inspecting the underbody of the car, you can find damaged hoses, deformed elements, loose connections, dirty and frayed seals. If there is not enough transmission oil or it is leaking, the oil pump will suck in air.

The structure of the emulsion changes, resulting in unpleasant consequences:

the power of the torque converter decreases and it has to take on additional load;
the pressure on the clutches decreases, so when changing gears there are sharp jerks, and the discs wear out faster due to slipping;
impurities appear in the oil, which clog the valve body channels, pump filters, hoses and solenoids;
the liquid loses its beneficial properties and the system begins to overheat.

By adding oil to the required level, you can prevent wear of the automatic transmission ahead of schedule. It is forbidden to mix liquids of different types, as this may provoke an undesirable chemical reaction.

You should fill the system with the oil that was originally inside, or the one recommended by the car manufacturer.

Exceeded oil level

A high oil level in the automatic transmission can also cause foaming. The consequences of this option are similar to the consequences of a low oil level, but the box will also become oily due to the large amount of fluid, the excess amount of which will be used by the automatic transmission breather .

Finding out that the oil in the box has foamed is quite simple - evenly distributed, small air bubbles will be visible on the dipstick.

If there are on the dipstick and level is within normal , this is not a sign that the oil in the box is foaming. worry if there are significant level deviations in one direction or the other. In this case, you should turn off the running engine for a few minutes so that the fluid in the box settles . After this, with the engine turned off, measured again .

High ATF level

The main reason for a high oil level is precisely incorrect measurements, after which the car owner begins to independently add fluid to the box.

When replacing at a service station, workers may also fill too much. The reason is simple: hot fluid is drained, cold fluid is poured in, and hot ATF has a much larger volume. This means that the cold one will subsequently expand even more.

Symptoms

You can determine that the oil level is above normal by the following signs.

The transmission begins to become dull, kick, and gears may not engage.
ATF leaks in the area of the breather, dipstick, seals. It is no coincidence that it is red in color, which distinguishes it from all other process fluids.
Foam on the dipstick. It’s not just the presence of bubbles, but a stable foamed liquid.

Consequences

The clutch discs begin to slip relative to each other, and this leads to their combustion and increased wear.

The consequences of overfilling are almost the same as with underfilling. The liquid begins to reach the rotating parts of the box and foam, forming an emulsion. Only in addition to compressibility and poor heat transfer, you also get a serious increase in the volume of ATF, the excess of which will be released through the breather of the automatic transmission ventilation system.

Checking the quality of automatic transmission oil

Using a dipstick it is quite difficult to understand what condition the oil is in. For a more accurate analysis, you will need to take a certain amount of oil using a syringe and a hose from the dropper . If its red color changes to brown of overheating on the face . If there is a burnt smell the gearbox clutches are slipping .

In this case , contaminated and darkened fluid should be replaced . filter is replaced .

Checking for cold

Modern car devices make it possible to check the level of the filled substance when it is cold. We emphasize that this verification method will not give an accurate idea of the product poured if the control is carried out at negative t0 without warming up the internal combustion engine.

Initially, you will need to install the machine on a level surface.

Parking the vehicle, even on a slight slope, will distort the indicators and may lead to a violation of the operating mode.

This verification method is used when the design does not provide another option. In severe frost, it is best to perform the test in a warm box or closed garage.

Optimal oil volume for the box

Inexperienced motorists most often have a question about how much oil should be in the gearbox. There is no universal answer here, since there are a huge number of car models with different gearboxes. It's worth remembering the following:

First of all, you need to clarify the model and type of gearbox installed on the car. The fact is that even on the same car with the same engine, different modifications can be used. Information can be found either in documents or through the VIN code (special programs provide all the characteristics). If exact data is not available, it is best to find the tag on the box. This option is suitable for older cars that may not have a factory transmission.
Knowing the model of the unit, finding out the amount of lubricant in the transmission is not difficult. This information is important when the composition changes. Checking the level is easy if you have a dipstick. If it is not there, you need to add the composition until it flows from the drain hole.

Do not violate the indicators recommended by the manufacturer.
Excess oil is just as dangerous for the gearbox as its lack, so there is no need to overfill the composition above the permissible level. Excess lubricant foams and ends up on parts that should not be lubricated. Also, seals and seals can be squeezed out from excess pressure. Advice!
You should inspect the gearbox from below from time to time in order to promptly detect leaks and replace the seals.

Correct oil level for Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Honda: values

Oil level in the automatic and manual transmission (gearbox) of a Volkswagen car.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the values of the type of your gearbox. They are indicated next to the make of the car. Here is the correct oil level for Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Honda:

Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) with automatic transmission - 3.9-6 l ; Mercedes-Benz with manual transmission - 2.1-3.1 l .
BMW (BMW) with automatic transmission - 4.3-7.4 l ; BMW with manual transmission - 2.1-3.9 l .
Volkswagen (Volkswagen) with automatic transmission - 3.9-4.5 l ; Volkswagen with manual transmission - 1.9-4.3 l .
Peugeout (Peugeot) with automatic transmission - 3.2-3.9 l ; Peugeout with manual transmission - 1.6-2.1 l .
Honda (Honda) with automatic transmission - 3.9-4.7 l ; Honda with manual transmission - 1.8-2.3 l .

Focus on these values when pouring oil into the gearbox.

Correct oil level values for Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, Rav 4, Corolla, Lexus, Cruze

If you did not find your car brand above to see the correct oil level, then look at the list below. Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, Rav 4, Corolla, Lexus, Cruz - the oil level values should be as follows:

Nissan (Nissan) with automatic transmission - 2.8-4.2 l ; Nissan with manual transmission - 1.5-2.2 l .
Subaru (Subaru) with automatic transmission - 2.6-4.2 l ; Subaru with manual transmission - 1.8-2.2 l .
Hyundai with automatic transmission - 4.5-5 l ; Hyundai with manual transmission - 1.9-2.3 l .
Lexus (Lexus) with automatic transmission - 3.8-5 l ; Lexus with manual transmission - 1.7-2.8 l .
Rav 4 with automatic transmission - 3.8-4.9 l ; Rav 4 with manual transmission - 1.8-2.1 l .
Corolla with automatic transmission - 4.5-5 l ; Corolla with manual transmission - 1.9-2.2 l .
Cruze with automatic transmission - 4.3-4.9 l ; Cruze with manual transmission - 1.9-2.2 liters .

All values are listed. Now you can check the oil level in your car.

Topping up rules

There are situations when servicing manual transmissions when a check shows the normal condition of the lubricant, but its quantity does not meet the standards established by the automaker. Therefore, topping up is required.

Only the same oil that is currently in the box is poured. If you cannot purchase this lubricant, you cannot add or mix different types of lubricants, even with identical characteristics. This will require a complete replacement.

In the case when there is oil for topping up, you need to focus on the design features of the manual transmission:

Filler plug. Most cars with manual transmissions have a special filler neck closed with a protective plug. Most often it is installed under the car in the upper part of the crankcase. You need to get under the car, unscrew the cap and fill in the missing amount.
No filler plug. It also happens that the filler plug is missing. But there is a dipstick. It can be used not only to check the level, but also for filling. To do this, take a medical syringe, fill it with oil from a jar, and then pour it into the hole for the dipstick.
Without filler plug and dipstick. Sometimes it happens. Some cars with manual transmission do not have a filler hole and dipstick. To get out of this situation, you can use the sensor holes. Some controllers are installed in a box. After unscrewing them, you can add lubricant. Most often, reverse sensors and speed sensors are suitable for such purposes.

Proceed with extreme caution so as not to turn the problem of oil deficiency into a problem of its excess.

Since most cars with manual transmissions have filler holes and a dipstick, adding lubricant should not be a problem.

Correct oil level Toyota, Renault, Opel, Audi, Ford: values

Below you will find the correct oil level for such car brands as Toyota, Renault, Opel, Audi, Ford. The oil level is indicated in liters:

Toyota (Toyota) with automatic transmission - 3.5-4.2 l ; Toyota with manual transmission - 2.2-2.8 l .
Renault (Renault) with manual transmission - 3.1-3.8 l ; Renault with automatic transmission - 2.5-3 liters.
Opel (Opel) with automatic transmission - 3.8-4.3 l ; Opel with manual transmission - 1.8-2.2 l .
Audi (Audi) with automatic transmission - 5-8 l ; Audi with manual transmission - 2.7-3.5 l .
Ford (Ford) with automatic transmission - 5.8-6.7 l ; Ford with manual transmission - 2.9-3.4 liters .

In these car models, the oil level should be exactly like this. If you have a different brand of car, look for the required indicators below.

And further

By controlling the volume of the product poured, it is important to monitor its quality. The change in color indicates that petroleum products, during the operation of the manual transmission, clean the gearbox components and rubbing surfaces, removing unnecessary deposits.

Many leading transmission product manufacturers intentionally infuse their products with cleaning properties. Such a rational approach, as experts have found, allows you to keep components and mechanisms in excellent condition for a long time. What to do if the oil level is high? It can be removed from the neck using a syringe of the maximum size. Or, as an option, turn to service station specialists for help.

If simple lubricants were initially used and then replaced with better ones, the product will darken much faster. This is due to the active work and performance of a number of functions that allow you to remove excess deposits from the rubbing parts of the manual transmission.

How to check the oil in a manual transmission

As a rule, when it comes to a manual transmission, there is no separate dipstick for checking the oil level in such a transmission. In this case, in order to determine the oil level in the manual transmission, you will need to unscrew the special inspection hole plug, which is located in the side of the gearbox housing.

To check, you need to warm up the box (it is enough to drive the car 5-15 km). Then you need to place the car on a flat surface (it is optimal to drive the car into an inspection hole or lift it on a lift), and also wait about 10-15 minutes for the oil to drain into the pan to obtain accurate results. Additionally, the car body can be tilted slightly to the right (no more than 2-3 degrees) by placing cargo in the passenger compartment or trunk.

It is also recommended to study the vehicle operating manual separately in order to accurately determine the location of the inspection hole plug and the type of key for unscrewing it. After the plug has been unscrewed, you need to assess what the oil level is in the gearbox. To do this, you can follow the bottom edge of the hole, or you can take a metal rod or screwdriver to accurately measure the level in the pan.

If the level is below normal, you will need to add oil. This can be done in several ways, but most often a hose and funnel are used for topping up. The hose is inserted into the control hole, the oil is carefully and slowly added to the level.

At the same time, you can take oil from the gearbox to assess its condition. For this you will need a syringe. It is recommended to place a few drops on a sheet of clean white paper. If the oil is relatively clean and transparent, a spot with a clear boundary forms on the paper, there is no obvious cloudiness, impurities, chips or foreign odors, then the lubricant is suitable for further use.

Natural darkening of the oil is also allowed, which indicates that the additives are working and partial loss of properties and contamination are occurring. In this case, a complete loss of transparency, the presence of metal shavings, noticeable changes in viscosity (the oil in the gearbox is too thick or thin) indicates the need for a mandatory replacement of the transmission fluid in a manual gearbox. In some cases, severe contamination of the oil is also the basis for pre-flushing the manual transmission before replacing the lubricant.

When reassembling, it is important to tighten the drain plug to the correct torque. Typically, the tightening torque (force) is indicated separately in the vehicle manual. Also, on some cars, it may be necessary to replace the seal of the transmission inspection hole plug. Such a seal must be purchased separately before testing.