Modern automatic transmissions do not require oil change or refilling throughout the entire period of operation. For this reason, there is no filler neck in their body. In old-style boxes, there is a need for periodic oil changes, prescribed in the instructions for the car, and this procedure is significantly different from changing the engine oil. There is also a need to control and top up this oil if necessary.
Instructions
Step 1
According to international standards for oils for automatic transmissions, every 15,000 km (12,000 miles) it is required to check the oil level in the gearbox and top it up. If the annual mileage is less than the indicated figure, check the oil level at least once a year. When purchasing a used car, be sure to change the automatic transmission oil immediately.
Step 2
To check the oil level in the automatic transmission, place the car on an inspection pit or overpass, or lift it on a lift. Stop the engine and climb up to the bottom of the car (this is more convenient) and find the oil dipstick on the pallet. Take it out, wipe it dry and put it back in the dipstick. Then remove it again and visually compare the oil level with the marks on the dipstick. The lowest, driest spot on the dipstick will correspond to the oil level inside the transmission. In this case, the two upper marks on the dipstick (they may be the only ones) mean the normal oil level for the cold and hot state of the gearbox.
Step 3
The oil level should be checked twice: on a cold and hot gearbox. To warm up the automatic transmission, it is enough to drive a car for about 15 km in a quiet mode. The lower marks on the dipstick are intended to approximate the amount of oil when changing it. In addition, the control dipstick can carry information about the conditions of the control: the required position of the automatic transmission selector and the type of oil used.
Step 4
On Honda and Acura vehicles, the oil must be checked after reaching the specified operating temperature and with the engine off. On cars equipped with automatic transmissions made by Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Proton, Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee, the oil level is monitored with the gear selector in the N position. The same condition must be observed on Audi and Volkswagen vehicles with three-speed automatic transmissions.
Step 5
Many models of gearboxes, especially those made in Germany, have a check plug in the dipstick hole. The peculiarity of the procedure for monitoring and adding oil is the impossibility of performing these operations without hanging the car. On the positive side, it is also impossible to pour oil into the gearbox. On BMW 5-speed gearboxes, this plug is used to fill oil.
Step 6
Make sure the new oil is compatible with the existing one. Add new oil to the level in the dipstick hole. After adding oil, check the oil level with the engine stopped and running. In this case, the gear selector must be set in position P or in position N, depending on the conditions for the topping up procedure.
