Checking transmission fluid

[3DogKnight]

OK I'll start off by saying I'm old-school when it comes to checking fluid levels in my vehicles. I check levels often. My 2021 F150 has no trans dipstick and neither did my old 2014 Subaru or my current 2020 Escape Titanium. My previous truck (Silverado 2500HD 6.0 six speed) did have a dipstick. Why are we not able to check a vital fluid in our vehicles? Is this another ploy to bring it to the dealer for service? There's just something creepy about not being able to see for myself what the level and smell of my trans fluid is. Is anyone else frustrated by this?

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[UGADawg96]

OK I'll start off by saying I'm old-school when it comes to checking fluid levels in my vehicles. I check levels often. My 2021 F150 has no trans dipstick and neither did my old 2014 Subaru or my current 2020 Escape Titanium. My previous truck (Silverado 2500HD 6.0 six speed) did have a dipstick. Why are we not able to check a vital fluid in our vehicles? Is this another ploy to bring it to the dealer for service? There's just something creepy about not being able to see for myself what the level and smell of my trans fluid is. Is anyone else frustrated by this?

Sealed units. No need to check their level. Treat trannies like diff fluid.

 

[Kanuck]

My 2011 F 150 was the same way. No dipstick that went up into the engine bay. There was one however, that you had to slide under the truck or have it on a hoist to check the fluid level. There is/was a fitting on the right side of the transmission that you had to remove to revel the little yellow dipstick. Did find out there is a kit you can get that will add a dipstick to your transmission. There maybe a kit that will work on this transmission.

 

[bigdaddycool21]

you think that's bad I had an Audi a few years ago and they got rid of engine oil dipsticks

 

[Buschlatte]

you think that's bad I had an Audi a few years ago and they got rid of engine oil dipsticks

 

[130 Ghost_Riders]

you think that's bad I had an Audi a few years ago and they got rid of engine oil dipsticks

 

[DBL R]

Through Audi’s MMI you could check the engine oil “digitally”.

 

[Pedaldude]

And pretty soon, once you get used to all this digital shit, they get you on the hook for subscriptions for things that used to be free.

So unless you pay monthly, you're stuck with your windshield wipers at full blast because the intermittent wiper function is part of some BS plan with crap you don't need!

Modern fluids are so incredibly better than the old stuff, that manufacturers have stopped using dipsticks on the transmission in most cars and light trucks. Other than severe use, the warranty is usually out by the time that the transmission fluid is due.

That being said, it's generally a good idea to exceed the maintenance schedule for modern vehicles because they are in a race with each other for touting lower maintenance costs and as long as it lasts through the warranty period, the manufacturers don't care. The Fordtechmakuloco channel on YouTube has a number of examples of this.

 

[notabot]

And pretty soon, once you get used to all this digital shit, they get you on the hook for subscriptions for things that used to be free.

So unless you pay monthly, you're stuck with your windshield wipers at full blast because the intermittent wiper function is part of some BS plan with crap you don't need!

100% correct. For everything. You will own nothing and like it, or else.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Anyone out there installed one of the aftermarket dipsticks? The kind that can be checked in the old school way from under the hood?

 

[Mtnman1]

OK I'll start off by saying I'm old-school when it comes to checking fluid levels in my vehicles. I check levels often. My 2021 F150 has no trans dipstick and neither did my old 2014 Subaru or my current 2020 Escape Titanium. My previous truck (Silverado 2500HD 6.0 six speed) did have a dipstick. Why are we not able to check a vital fluid in our vehicles? Is this another ploy to bring it to the dealer for service? There's just something creepy about not being able to see for myself what the level and smell of my trans fluid is. Is anyone else frustrated by this?

Been like this for awhile for most brands.

I looked for the tranny dipstick on my wifes HHR for 39 minutes. Lol

 

[pavementends]

I have some free time today and have been wanting to check transmission fluid level in my truck just to verify the factory filled to the correct level, but I'm struggling to find instructions/details on where the level should be. I know where the "dipstick" is (passenger side, top of tranny, 19mm bolt head) but not sure what to do after I pull it...

• Looked on YouTube again and still not seeing any vids on Gen14 trucks - anyone know of any videos?
• Anyone find a kit to convert to a real dip stick that you can access from the hood?
• Scoured owners manual and no mention of transmission fluid level and where it should be on the stick (some have numbers, some have shapes?). Where else should I look for this info?

10,500 miles, 3.5 EB, 2021 Job 2 truck

Thanks!!

 

[Snakebitten]

Tranny must be at 205-216F (not something easy to do quickly)

Engine must be running. (Powerboost requires the tech to use a procedure that puts the truck in a continuous ICE-running mode)

Truck must be level

Dipstick is right next to the exhaust heat shield. Protective gloves recommended

Fairly arduous task, but worth the effort if you have any transmission symptoms that could be related to fluid level. There are many, in my opinion. Peace of mind for something that once was trivial task.

 

[pavementends]

Tranny must be at 205-216F (not something easy to do quickly)

Engine must be running. (Powerboost requires the tech to use a procedure that puts the truck in a continuous ICE-running mode)

Truck must be level

Dipstick is right next to the exhaust heat shield. Protective gloves recommended

Fairly arduous task, but worth the effort if you have any transmission symptoms that could be related to fluid level. There are many, in my opinion. Peace of mind for something that once was trivial task.

Thanks but I know all that already - I've checked transmission levels on many vehicles. What I don't know is where fluid should be on the dipstick. It's my understanding that the dipstick has a bunch of numbers or shapes on it and should be in a specific range for my specific vehicle configuration, which I can't find.

I've perceived some slippage in 3rd gear so I want to check tranny fluid level.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Sealed units. No need to check their level. Treat trannies like diff fluid.

Well... At the end of the day one ought to check their differential fluid every so often... I've never bought this "sealed unit" stuff. Things happen, seals start leaking... etc. So being able to check it is important in my book. Having said that, it is clear that Ford does not really know how to ensure the level in the transmission is correct. I've just seen too many entries here, and had my own transmission end up being low too many times. At one point when my dealer had level problems I finally told them to measure what came out and put that amount back in... Many will have little "sealed unit" problems from delivery through trade in... but for those of us that seek to go beyond that... well check that level. These trucks are engineered to last far beyond trade in, you just have to care for them.

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