2011 Homemade Tranny dipstick

[allwxflyer]

Hi all,

Today I was thinking of going to the Dealer on Monday to have the transmission fluid on my 2011 3.6L V6

checked. Usually have it done monthly. Then I thought - I'm tired of doing this AND, "Why pay $50+ bucks

for a stupid tranny dipstick to check it myself?"

The last time I was at the Dealer having the fluid checked, the Tech let me take a photo of the "Factory"

dipstick assy.

For those who haven's seen one; its a small dipstick (a bit longer than a ballpoint pen), attached to a 6 ft.

long cable with a Tee-handle, marked off in 10mm steps

.

I got to thinking, the markings on the factory unit were on a 10mm scale, from 0 to 120mm. I looked at my

oil dipstick and figured I could reproduce that 10mm scale on it. Heck, it was worth a try.

So, as I was checking my oil, I was wondering if the oil dipstick would fit in the tranny filler tube where the

fluid is checked. Well, let me tell you -- it fits nicely thankyou. First off, clean off the oil dipstick so any

motor oil doesn't mix with the trans. fluid. Insert the dipstick into the tranny tube until it bottoms out.

The distance to the bottom of the pan is about 16 to 16 14", but you'll feel it contact the bottom of the pan.

I downloaded a Millimeter scale from the Net and made a hard copy in order to transfer the markings onto

the dipstick. (Don't use the "shrink to fit" option on the printer or the scale will be off)

I marked one edge of the dipstick every 10mm (upto 120mm) according to the scale, using a Dremel

Tool with a small cutting disk to notch the dipstick and notched the 50mm and 100mm marks on both

edges of the dipstick.

Now I have one tool (dipstick) for checking 2 systems, the oil/engine system, and the transmission.

The procedure took longer to explain than the actual project, but it kept me busy and away from the

wife's "honeydo" list. :hide:

I have a set of photos to go along with the project, so if anyone wants a copy of them (in zip format)

just send me an e-mail at johnk1rc@verizon.net and I'll send them to you.

If you have any questions, just ask. I'll answer them as best I can.

John, Dracut, MA.

[rsemak]

What is the "warm" level of the transmission supposed to be at? What millimeter mark?

[allwxflyer]

When the trans fluid is up to temp., the level should be between 50 and 60 MM. I've included in the .ZIP file, a chart of fluid level vs fluid temp.

[senah]

When the trans fluid is up to temp., the level should be between 50 and 60 MM. I've included in the .ZIP file, a chart of fluid level vs fluid temp.

Is your transmission leaking? What is prompting you to check it? It is a sealed system.

What are you using to measure the tranny fluid temp?

[bigtsr]

Tranny temp shows in the EVIC display.

[combatjourney]

Email sent for pictures of Tranny Dipstick.

Thanks

[bramfrank]

That last comment can be taken a couple of different ways . . . .

[Journey_SeXT]

That last comment can be taken a couple of different ways . . . .

[jkeaton]

That last comment can be taken a couple of different ways . . . .

LOL!!!

[bigtsr]

Maybe he's just confused! lol