Auto Transmission Oil Dipstick

[pm26]

Is GM eliminating dipsticks on their auto transmission cars, and maybe later on trucks? I just looked at a new 08 Cobalt and the car had no auto transmission dipstick. That really irritates me. Just how are you supposed to check the fluid level? Take it to a dealer and have them hook it up to a computer for a mere $ 100 each time? And how do you add fluid? What if they start doing this to trucks as well? I think this cost saving crap is getting out of hand.

[hubbycap]

Is GM eliminating dipsticks on their auto transmission cars, and maybe later on trucks? I just looked at a new 08 Cobalt and the car had no auto transmission dipstick. That really irritates me. Just how are you supposed to check the fluid level? Take it to a dealer and have them hook it up to a computer for a mere $ 100 each time? And how do you add fluid? What if they start doing this to trucks as well? I think this cost saving crap is getting out of hand.

 

 

Check the level? What do you think the charge would be to add fluid?

 

A good friend of mine told me his wife's Ford Explorer had no dipstick. It's about 3 years old. If it needs fluid I guess they have to pull the tranny, stand it on the tail piece and poor it in. Maybe they load it with a measured charge like an A/C system.

[blankey]

My mother's '06 Charger R/T doesn't have a dipstick either....so it's not just GM

[NathanL]

Considering my 2007 Chevy truck came a whole quart low and they had to add it...seems odd to not have a way to check it.

[sillyazz]

Is GM eliminating dipsticks on their auto transmission cars, and maybe later on trucks? I just looked at a new 08 Cobalt and the car had no auto transmission dipstick. That really irritates me. Just how are you supposed to check the fluid level? Take it to a dealer and have them hook it up to a computer for a mere $ 100 each time? And how do you add fluid? What if they start doing this to trucks as well? I think this cost saving crap is getting out of hand.

 

 

On Gm cars with no dipsticks checking the fluid.

 

1. Start the vehicle.

 

2. Climb underneath the passangers side with a 7/16 wrench in hand.

 

3. On the end of the transmission there is a plug (right up under the cv axle) pull the plug out with the 7/16 wrench.

 

4. If fluid runs out then its full.

 

 

If no fluid runs out open the hood and locate the RED plastic cap on to of the transmission, unscrew it and place a funnel into the hole underneath the cap. Fill until fluid runs out the end of the transmission where you had removed the plug with the 7/16 wrench.

 

After you get it full replace the plug at the end of the transmission and tighten with 7/16 wrench, replace the RED plastic cap on top of the transmission and hand tighten it.

 

Reallly need 2 people to put fluid in it one to pour it in and one to watch for it to start running out.

 

Its a BIG PAIN IN THE ASS ! Dont know what GM was thinking when they came up with this idea.

[hubbycap]

Considering my 2007 Chevy truck came a whole quart low and they had to add it...seems odd to not have a way to check it.

 

 

Your's too!

[C & A s Dad]

Ford has been doing this for a few years. I think they began with the last update to the Expedition. One of our customers reported that he sold a trans filter and fluid to a man with an Expedition. He drained the fluid replaced the filter, put the pan back up and then could not add the fluid back. He had to get the Ford Dealer to tow it in and have the fluid replaced with a machine.

 

I will be very disapointed if GM does this to their trucks.

[sillyazz]

Ford has been doing this for a few years. I think they began with the last update to the Expedition. One of our customers reported that he sold a trans filter and fluid to a man with an Expedition. He drained the fluid replaced the filter, put the pan back up and then could not add the fluid back. He had to get the Ford Dealer to tow it in and have the fluid replaced with a machine.

 

I will be very disapointed if GM does this to their trucks.

 

 

On a Ford there is a fill plug in the tailhousing on some of them, goodluck with that! Most have what looks like a nut on the bottom of the transmission pan in the middle of that nut there is a small allen head or torque head, take that out and pump fluid in through the small hole when its full it will run out that same hole. Sounds like it would not work but it does.

[pm26]

I hope that GM reads these forums. And they will realize that people do not care for this nonsense.

Keep in mind that an automatic transmission is a hydraulic device, and therefore very sensitve to low fluid levels, and fluid overheating. To eliminate transmission fluid dipstick and fill tube on a vehicle used for hauling/towing is beyond stupid. Any transmission can develop a small leak that can eventually lead to transmission failure before the owner notices it. Seals leak. Sometimes they are installed improperly at the factory. And who is to guarantee that each and every "sealed" transmission will be filled with proper amount of fluid and will not leak? You do not want to find out towing a 6,500 lb trailer cross country.

[Zembonez]

The dipstick is a leftover from the past!

 

Much like a manual trans (and much UNLIKE an engine), the auto trans does not by design consume any fluid. Unless it is leaking there is nowhere for fluid to go. The days of vacuum valve body auto transmissions is long past. When it is time to change fluid, it is accessible through drain/fill plugs. A simple level access plug when changing fluid is really all that is needed.

 

Funny, Nobody is complaining about the rear axle dipstick "missing".

[pm26]

Funny, Nobody is complaining about the rear axle dipstick "missing".

 

It has been mentioned that they eliminated the drain plug, which now necessitates unbolting the cover. However, you can buy a Mag-Hytek aluminum fin cover with the dipstick and drain and fill plugs for about $ 250. Can you buy a dipstick fill tube for a transmission that does not have one?

 

Besides, differentials are not hydraulic devices, and neither are manual transmissions. They are a lot less likely to fail from overheating when the oil level is lower than required.

[pm26]

Here is an idea:"Let's eliminate the engine oil dipstick too!!!!! Can I get my $ 25k bonus now? GM please respond!!!!!!!

[dlstewart01]

The engine oil dipstick has already been eliminated on some European cars. They have a gage to tell you the oil level,

 

Don

[topdj]

I can see them doing this and putting sensors in place of them, BUT have you ever had your dip stick fail LOL not.

another part for the check engine light to illuminate when it fails, although I like the idea of checking the levels in the car from the dash.

[NathanL]

Other than the o-ring occasionally leaking dip sticks were pretty low maintenace. Even if you had to replace the o-ring it was a 5 minute job.

 

I wonder how long it takes to replace the sensor when it goes out.

 

It's either a cost issue...sad when you can get a sensor built cheaper than a 3 foot piece of metal but probably true nowdays. Or it's a convenient way for the onboard computer to record/monitor fluid levels. Tho I don't now what they could do with it - they couldn't say you didn't check your fluid level so we're denying your warranty claim....because you would have no way to check it LOL.

 

Sometimes I wonder if the people who design cars actually even use them. I think all people who design cars should be required to not only drive whatever they design but trade out with the other people they work with - and different brands as well. I bet if you design for GM and have for 20 years you've never driven a Ford for instance and vice versa.