Checking my Transmission fluid?

Question

I just changed my transmission filter and fluid (whole deal) and in my book it said when done to add 4 quarts of fuild. So i did that and when the car is not running and the engine is warm the lid level is in the Hot range so it seems as if there is enough fluid. But when I do it with the engine running (How I thought your supposed to do it) it is barely at the bottom end of the COLD region of the dip stick. Do I need to add more fluid so when the tranny is hot and the engine is running the fluid level is in the HOT region?

If it makes any difference I drive a 1998 Ford Mustang 3.8L V6

Answer 1

No, you got it right. But if your transmission slips go ahead and add a littli more, that should do it.

Answer 2

Hello - Do not believe there is a need to check transmission fluid levels since transmission fluid is only used in cars with automatic transmissions. Find a user manual and/or call a Chevrolet dealer.

Answer 3

You need to have the car running in park, warmed up..... then check the fluid, it should be in the safe or full region, whatever your stick says. Always check transmission fluid with the car running warmed up. Add fluid if it is low, 4 quarts is not enough to fill a transmission.

Answer 4

unless someone changed sticks on you ,, the dipstick on a ford car will tell you " check with eng. running in park " also if the trany is not at normal opperating temp the fluid will expand some ,,, usually there are a set of hash marks or xxxes on the stick with the word FULL at the upper end ,,, also it will say not to over fill ,,,,, the others stating extra loss of fluid from converter is true ,,,,, add till you come between the top and bottom of the xxxes on your stick and you should be good to go ! ! !

Answer 5

The proper way to check the fluid is with the engine idling in park...if it is reading lower, just add a little at a time until it comes up to where it is supposed to be...

I always check mine with the engine cold, you can't over fill that way...and you can't be too low either, most important...

Answer 6

you check the transmission fluid with the car running. If it says it's low, add another quart, but add a little at a time. you don't want to put too much in.

Answer 7

what you need to do is warm up the car and park on a level surface and check the oil,while the engine is still running.if its low,fill it up to the full mark.probably what happened,is you drained part of the converter,which holds the most fluid,and if you did,then it will read low,until you finish filling it.i have the same trouble with my olds.,and its got a 3.8 in it.i thought i would never get it full.

Answer 8

the motor has to be running, so if it measures low while running add more fluid, also hold the brake and change gears to help the fluid move to where it needs to be, but only add a quart at a time!

Answer 9

add more fliud bc the fliud you put in when it wasent running was just the holding tank but after you turn on the car it runs the fluid through the transmission and lowers the amount in your car so i say turn it on for about a min or so and then check it if its still low add more and when its at the "line" where theres enough then your ok but do this process over and over till your reach that "line" on the stick that says its full hope that helps

Answer 10

Look in the owner's manual for the proper way to check the transmission fluid. That's the way we used to check it, but times may have changed. good luck

Answer 11

Anyone who told you your engine should NOT be running is WRONG.......Some have said to check it with engine running and hot and on a level surface. They are RIGHT........
Check your dipstick, it will probably tell you how to check the fluid as well.. It should be, hot, engine running in park