Checking Transmission Fluid?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Pain in the butt in the C5 automatic. You need to get it up on a lift, start the car, idle in Park until it's at operating temp, unscrew the fill port in the transmission pan and stick a small screwdriver in to determine if it needs any. No kidding. There is no dipstick for the tranny on the C5 due to the tranny location in the rear.
The fill plug in the tranny
The fill plug in the tranny
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Reading PA
Once fill plug is removed, how is level of fluid measured? How far should "make shift" dip stick be inserted and what line should be considered full? How will I know what full is?
Any response appreciated.
CB
Any response appreciated.
CB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Actually, the fluid should just about start to dribble out of the hole if it's full so the "dip stick" should have fluid on it if you just dip it in the hole. When you fill the tranny (I use a fluid transfer pump), fill until it starts flowing out of the fill hole.
Do not shut the car off with the fill plug out or you will be cleaning up tranny fluid off the floor and refilling your tranny. Replace the plug and then shut the car off.
Do not shut the car off with the fill plug out or you will be cleaning up tranny fluid off the floor and refilling your tranny. Replace the plug and then shut the car off.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 5
From: Chico CA
This is becoming more typical. My daughter's 1999 BMW doesn't have a transmission dipstick (and it's rumored to have a GM transmission - something like a 4L40E), nor does my 2003 5 series daily driver. I suspect part of it is to get you to take the car to the shop once in a while, but my local transmission wizard (Transamatic here in Chico) checks my cars on their lift at no charge, provided they aren't full up at the time.
The Bimmers have sensors that tell you when you're low on motor oil (as do the Corvettes), but I haven't seen anything about trans fluid monitoring on the DIC for the Vette (or the "Check Control" on the BMWs). So Marty has one of the guys check them, and I'll use this space for a shameless plug - I really appreciate good service. You can probably find a trans shop nearby (or another shop - even Jiffy Lube if you trust them to check) that will handle it.
I read a great post on this a few months ago, including helpful hints for first aid after obtaining the second degree burns on your hand/arm that indicate the trans was full...
But it isn't just the rear trans cars is my point about the Bimmers. It seems to be a trend, at least on reputedly high maintenance cars
The Bimmers have sensors that tell you when you're low on motor oil (as do the Corvettes), but I haven't seen anything about trans fluid monitoring on the DIC for the Vette (or the "Check Control" on the BMWs). So Marty has one of the guys check them, and I'll use this space for a shameless plug - I really appreciate good service. You can probably find a trans shop nearby (or another shop - even Jiffy Lube if you trust them to check) that will handle it.
I read a great post on this a few months ago, including helpful hints for first aid after obtaining the second degree burns on your hand/arm that indicate the trans was full...
But it isn't just the rear trans cars is my point about the Bimmers. It seems to be a trend, at least on reputedly high maintenance cars
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
Dodge is doing the same thing on their cars, the 300's do not have a dip stick either. 
That was a turn off to me when looking at them especially since I am not really a Mopar fan, but I do like the looks of the 300's. 
That was a turn off to me when looking at them especially since I am not really a Mopar fan, but I do like the looks of the 300's.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Unfortunately, there's no cheap or easy way to get dipstick access because of the tranny location. You'd have to put a hole in the rear tub and it would still be a pain to check. Luckily, the 4L60-E is pretty reliable with the car in stock form.
