BY BENJAMIN JEREW / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 24, 2017 / NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION / For decades, DIYers and professionals alike have been accustomed to checking automotive fluid&hellip;{"id":10029,"date":"2017-09-12T10:22:54","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T17:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=10029"},"modified":"2017-09-12T10:22:54","modified_gmt":"2017-09-12T17:22:54","slug":"what-happened-to-the-dipstick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/12\/what-happened-to-the-dipstick\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happened to the Transmission Dipstick?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BY BENJAMIN JEREW\u00a0\/ ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AUGUST 24, 2017\u00a0\/\u00a0NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION \/<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For decades, DIYers and professionals alike have been accustomed to checking automotive fluid levels with a dipstick \u2014 a long plastic or metal rod with notches or other graduations on it. They measure anywhere from a couple of inches to several feet long. Cleaned and dipped into your vehicle\u2019s fluids, such as engine oil,<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/p\/NO_75206?cid=social_blog_062017_ATF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">automatic transmission fluid<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0(ATF), engine coolant or windshield washer fluid, a dipstick can tell you two things: fluid level and condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the past decade or so, automatic transmission dipsticks have become less common, leaving DIYers with no way to check and adjust ATF level or condition. Even professionals typically check for leaks and nothing more. What happened to the dipstick? Is its disappearance a good thing or a bad thing? If your vehicle has a sealed transmission, how do you check and adjust the ATF?<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Move Away From the Dipstick<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sealed transmissions \u2014 those without dipsticks or even a<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/knowhow.napaonline.com\/servicing-car-understanding-mileage-maintenance-intervals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">recommended ATF service interval<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2014 can be found in everything from thrifty commuter sedans to full-size pickups. Many American, European and Asian vehicles come with sealed transmissions, so it\u2019s not even a matter of preference or style. If your vehicle is equipped with a sealed transmission, it\u2019s a safe bet that it\u2019s designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Even sealing technology has come so far that manufacturers assume leaks to be the exception, rather than the rule. Either way, there\u2019s no need for dipsticks to check ATF.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This begs the question: How can ATF last the lifetime of the vehicle? The answer has everything to do with efficiency. As complicated as the automatic transmission has become, it\u2019s also become far more efficient. Just as engine design and lubricant quality have enabled the use of thinner oils that last longer and deliver better fuel economy and performance, automatic transmission design has made similar advances. As automatic transmissions are more efficient and built to tighter tolerances, ATF doesn\u2019t heat up as much, reducing wear and oxidation. Older automatic transmissions needed service every 30,000 or 60,000 miles, but the ATF in newer automatic transmissions can last upward of 150,000 miles without issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Do You Need to Check ATF?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the transmission is sealed with no dipstick and no service interval, the automaker doesn\u2019t expect to check ATF level or condition, but there are procedures in case it becomes necessary. If you spot an ATF leak or experience transmission problems, special tools and procedures will be required to check and adjust ATF.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Generally speaking, this involves lifting the vehicle while keeping it level, running the engine and transmission until the ATF reaches a certain temperature range, using a<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/p\/SER773871?cid=social_blog_062017_scantool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scan tool<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">to set the transmission up for the check and finally pulling a check plug until ATF stops running out of it. Usually, a pump with special hose fittings is required to add ATF through a specific port.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your vehicle is equipped with a sealed transmission, it\u2019s not recommended to attempt to check or adjust ATF fluid level on your own. The process mentioned above requires a<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/p\/FWDEFP8P000MBK?cid=social_blog_062017_lift\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shop lift<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, specialized tools and strict adherence to procedure. You can get your sealed transmission professionally serviced at a local\u00a0<\/span><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.napaautocare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NAPA AutoCare Center<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Check out all the<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/c\/chemicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chemical products<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<wbr \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\">available on<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501704208277000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE1CzqXTSulfGf_5BVq4OUF1E9uiQ\">NAPA Online<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">or visit\u00a0one of their 17,000<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.napaautocare.com\/store-finder.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=http:\/\/www.napaautocare.com\/store-finder.aspx&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501704208277000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjqtnNyXw3AxZg12m3NaDxmWiRgg\">NAPA AutoCare locations<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on automatic transmission fluid, chat with a knowledgeable expert at a<\/span><strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/store-locator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=https:\/\/www.napaonline.com\/en\/store-locator&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1501704208277000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHiQQJEua8zBcHaIYcBY83NlNWnVg\">local NAPA AUTO PARTS store<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photo Credit:<\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/hardchessesandyou\/5006451511\/in\/photolist-SVxxqM-LhAjbB-M4Yznd-4nPuVY-8CpnBv-61m8nF-afvmqT-TiVSVs-8Rnaps-8Bd9Jm-57Zfsd-Cys768-eF9gy-dkhZHV-4geLd6-RLBFZE-3g2eGz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Fifty Four<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">by<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/hardchessesandyou\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Mitchell<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.\u00a0(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/legalcode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CC BY 2.0<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This article has been reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder, National Automotive Parts Association. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Click here for more<\/span>\u00a0<\/i><strong><i><a href=\"http:\/\/knowhow.napaonline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">automotive tips and stories<\/a><\/i><\/strong><i>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\">from NAPA, or here for more information on<\/span>\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/event-info\/car-show-hours-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the next Pomona Swap Meet &amp; Classic Car Show<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":10030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[805],"tags":[5865,5866,3475,5869,5873,5874,5870,5863,5871,5133,5876,5877,3491,3037,5867,5875,5878,5868,5864,5872],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Fifty-Four.jpg?fit=3872%2C2592&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9nnZN-2BL","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10029"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10029"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10032,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10029\/revisions\/10032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}