How to Check Transmission Fluid Without a Transmission Dipstick

You may know the importance of checking your vehicle’s transmission fluid, but what do you do when your vehicle no longer has a transmission dipstick? Before you overlook regularly checking your transmission fluid, check out this article to learn about why vehicles no longer have transmission dipsticks in newer vehicles and how to check transmission fluid without dipsticks.

Missing Transmission Dipsticks

There are several newer vehicles that no longer have a transmission dipstick, including Ford F150. This is a recent issue for people who check their transmission fluid and who want to start checking regularly. Despite the controversy of the topic, newer makes and models of vehicles are choosing to omit the transmission dipstick. This issue is creating a problem for consumers to check transmission fluid or add fluid if when it is too low. The common method of simply putting out a dipstick to check transmission fluid may slowly be coming to an end in newer vehicles.

Why Is There No Transmission Dipstick?

The argument from the industry experts is that transmissions should be serviced only by professionals, which includes checking transmission fluid. For one example, if an incorrect transmission fluid on added to the transmission it can be destructive to the whole health of the transmission. On the other hand, you have transmission professionals recommending that you check your transmission fluid regularly to prevent major transmission repairs that could be have been made aware of by warning signs found in transmission fluid. Despite what transmission professionals are recommending for preventive maintenance, manufacturers are choosing to get rid of the transmission dipstick altogether to prevent premature transmission failure caused by the maintenance performed by owners.

How to Check Transmission Fluid Without a Dipstick

Have a newer vehicle without a transmission dipstick? Dipsticks that access transmission fluid are usually either T-shaped or ring-shaped and are labeled “transmission” or “trans”. To verify that your vehicle does not have a transmission dipstick, refer to your owner’s manual to determine if you have a transmission without a dipstick.

For a dipstick-less transmission, the fluid can only be checked by a professional transmission technician. If you are experiencing transmission problems, you should take your vehicle to a transmission specialist with a hydraulic lift or underground bay. Transmission fluid in a sealed transmission must be accessed from underneath the vehicle and with the vehicle level for an accurate reading. It must not be lifted with a standard jack to change or check the transmission fluid. Therefore, vehicles with no transmission dipstick can only be accessible to transmission specialists with the proper equipment.

This newer transmission limits the consumer the option to self-diagnose. Transmissions are very complex, so we recommend that you bring your transmission to Eagle Transmission, where our transmission technicians are thoroughly trained to work on transmissions.

If your dipstick-less transmission is experiencing signs of a transmission problem, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle to our technicians who specialize in diagnosing and repairing transmissions. We will help you solve and fix your transmission needs. Eagle Transmission Repair Shop in Mesquite Serving all of Dallasand surrounding areas.