Thread: proper way to check automatic oil level !

Matt

The way I have checked mine before is:

• first thing in the morning (so everything's cold), make sure your disco is on flat level ground;
• start the car and move the transmission from park through each gear down to first and back again, pausing at each gear for a second or two; and
• leave the auto selector in neutral with the engine still running check the auto oil then.

Apparently this way the torque converter is able to fillup and leave a true reading in the sump. Someone more mechanically qualified may debunk what I've just told you, but that was the way it was explained to me.

Cheers

Goldey

Matt
What Goldey said is pretty bang on, the biggest point is to check it cold before it has a chance to heat up - not sure why but all the manuals say as much

Blythe

Originally Posted by blitz

Matt
What Goldey said is pretty bang on, the biggest point is to check it cold before it has a chance to heat up - not sure why but all the manuals say as much

Blythe

Hot oil = thin oil = more oil ? thats my idea anyway.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Hot oil = thin oil = more oil ? thats my idea anyway.

have checked it when it is hot or cold, just didn't look right, will have too check again.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Hot oil = thin oil = more oil ? thats my idea anyway.

That is certainly the physics behind it I just wouldnt have thought it would have made much difference but I am often wrong - just ask my missus
Blythe

the dipstic should have 2 sets of markings on it.. one set hot and one set cold.

to check it..

cold.

start it, let it normalise idle, select reverse and wait for it to clunk in and try to reverse, then select nuetral wait a few seconds then pic D wait for it to engage and try to drive and then leaving the engine running reselect Park then pull the dipstick, wipe it, re-insert it pull it and check it. A little over the cold full mark is ok anything less than cold low is bad. Make sure the vehilce is dead level.

Hot, take it for a drive for 20 minutes or so then do the above again But use the hot level marks. Again low is bad but a little over isnt.

If you only have one set of marks they are usually cold level marks and when I say a little over I dont mean a centimeter I mean a couple of milimeters.