C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

checking transmission fluid

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:01 AM
  #1  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default checking transmission fluid

I'm having a heck of a time checking my transmission fluid. For a hot check (most reliable I guess), the instructions say to drive 15 minutes to get hot. Then wait 20 minutes. Shift through the gears while the engine is running, 3 seconds in each one. Then put in neutral and check level. I can't see where the level is. Could I be so low? If I check the level when the car is cold and not running, the level shows right in the middle of the cold level on the stick. Does the level go down when being used because of the circulation. Totally confused!!!!
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:46 AM
  #2  
Cadillac Tech's Avatar
Cadillac Tech
Racer
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Cicero IN
Default

I don't know what year you have, but you should always check your fluid level with the engine running and in park (it's safer than neutral). Start the engine and check it cold...the level will be lower than when warm or hot. If you don't have any fluid on the stick add a small amount of ATF until it shows in the cold range. You can drive it and check the level again. Add as needed...becareful not to overfill.

Bruce
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:54 AM
  #3  
enventr's Avatar
enventr
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Default

I have a trans fluid gauge in my 95. I run the car until the gauge reads 190dg. I then shift from reverse to drive and park and then check the fluid. (make sure the car is checked on a level surface)
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #4  
staugur's Avatar
staugur
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Default

Originally Posted by Joslinm
I'm having a heck of a time checking my transmission fluid. For a hot check (most reliable I guess), the instructions say to drive 15 minutes to get hot. Then wait 20 minutes. Shift through the gears while the engine is running, 3 seconds in each one. Then put in neutral and check level. I can't see where the level is. Could I be so low? If I check the level when the car is cold and not running, the level shows right in the middle of the cold level on the stick. Does the level go down when being used because of the circulation. Totally confused!!!!
You are way, way low.And yes,the level drops when running.Just start it up,leave it idle and start to add fluid slowly.Keep checking 'till you have the right level.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 12:26 PM
  #5  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default

Originally Posted by staugur
You are way, way low.And yes,the level drops when running.Just start it up,leave it idle and start to add fluid slowly.Keep checking 'till you have the right level.
Boy, I guess I was low. Took almost 2 quarts to get the level up to the right level. Hope no damage was done.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2008 | 12:44 PM
  #6  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Default

Originally Posted by Joslinm
Boy, I guess I was low. Took almost 2 quarts to get the level up to the right level. Hope no damage was done.
I agree. 2 qts is low enough to tear up alot of friction material.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To checking transmission fluid





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:19 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE