[Jeepman]

I have looked at many, supposedly helpful/sometimes helpful Threads, Posts and YouTube videos about measuring the 62TE's transmission fluid level, and only noticed one so far, that talks about operating temperature, not max or beyond operating temperature, or for that matter, doing a measurement when fluid is more, or less, cold, like after startup.
Then there's the stone cold, no startup measurement, Jeepman style, which is a good indicator "on the quick".

Back to Basics:- Referring back to the 41TE transmission for some information per the Owner Manuals:
" Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be comfortably held between the finger tips. Cold is when the fluid is below 80°F (27°C)."

Can the same information be applied to the 62TE transmission? Sure can, exactly, per information referenced at the end of this Post. So, that instruction will be our guide herein.

DRB Charts are nothing new:
The 41TE had a chart for DRB measurement using dipstick measurements versus transmission fluid temperature. See 41TE Chart below. The 41TE transmission also had a dipstick based on that same chart.

The 62TE has a chart for DRB measurement as well, but alas, no dipstick. The 62 TE Chart is below as well.

DRB = Diagnostic Readout Box.

41TE Chart:

62TE Chart:

Now, using your motor oil dipstick, a cold reading, at 50F ambient temperature, may show up as a drop on the dipstick, if at all.
Mark your dipstick off for the 80F range (4/20 mm), run your engine for 5 or 10 minutes or take a trip around the block, and then measure your transmission fluid level. Use this warm-up procedure if ambient temperature is nowhere near 80F.

Using the dipstick: A solid landing and the dipstick has bottomed out properly at the stop (16.7"/424 mm from the top of the tube)**. A soft landing and the dipstick has gone past the stop and is likely scraping along the bottom of the pan, another 10 mm more or less.
Note: With the lettering on the dipstick facing me, the dipstick bottoms out solidly. With the lettering on the dipstick upside down to me, the dipstick bottoms out softly every time. The readings vary accordingly. Use your senses.
** See Post #3.

For operating temperature, use the data for 180F (34/48 mm) to mark off your dipstick. Using the data for 200F isn't as realistic, unless you are towing a LEVY trailer. .

Marking off the dipstick (many ways):

• no marks, just tape measure against the reference points
• file marks
• blade marks
• small holes drilled

Locating/ removing the cap from the tube - front of transmission
On my 2016 DGC, it's nearly invisible, right underneath a big hunk of wire harness, which I have to push back a bit. It's also tight and awkward enough that I use a small pair of vice grips to crack it loose. Loosen a quarter turn and pull out. Putting back, no problem, except the wirie harness is in the way.

This is one of the better YouTube Videos (Motorcity Mechanic) I have come across for visual information and recognizing "operating" temperature as the measurement to use.

As for everything cold, level surface, engine not running - 90 mm so far, more checking to be done.

References, mentioned earlier on, will be in Post #2

 

[Jeepman]

References (and more) referred to in Post #1

Install Guide - 62TE - Chrysler (Automatic Transmission)

Install Guide - 62TE - Chrysler (Automatic Transmission)

YOUR WARRANTY DEPENDS ON YOUR ADHERENCE TO THESE GUIDELINES CHECKLIST • Compare replacement transmission and torque convertor to original before installation.• Scan original vehicle computer, rec...

etesupport.zendesk.com

NOTE: When inserting dipstick special tool 9336, excess force may cause
the dipstick to slip past the stop on the bracket in the transmission oil
pan. The dipstick should be inserted into the fill tube approximately 16.7”.
The dipstick will protrude from the fill tube when installed.

Geartrain, Planetary - Chrysler 62TE Service Information

Geartrain, Planetary - Chrysler 62TE Service Information [Page 270]

Chrysler 62TE Manual Online: Geartrain, Planetary. DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION Fig. 444: Planetary Gear Train 2009 Chrysler Town & Country LX...

www.manualslib.com

10. Recheck the fluid level after the transaxle has reached normal operating temperature 82°C (180°F)

62TE Lubrication

https://atracom.blob.core.windows.net/manuals/individual/2008/2008-124.pdf

The 62TE requires the use of +4 Oil. There are many different blends of oil that meet the +4 requirement (markings for +4 are clear on the labels). During a service the 62TE fill is 5.5 qts 5.2 L After an internal transmission repair the 62TE fill is 9.0 qts 8.5 L

Filler Tube Plug

A quarter turn ccw and pull up. Note the "O" ring gasket, a little ATF+4 on that won't hurt.

Some pictures, but with a 3.8L engine bay, which is much more open, no hunky wire harness in the way:

Checking Transmission Fluid Level

I have the "wonderful" six-speed tranny, without a dipstick. Does anyone know if there is a way of checking the level on the box without having to take it to the dealer? How do the dealer check it? On some boxes there is a 'fill' hole in the side of the box that marks the upper level of...

www.chryslerminivan.net

The Dipstick Stop

Making a Permanent Dipstick
DIY: Dipstick for your 62TE transmission

DIY: Dipstick for your 62TE transmission

So your car is equipped with the 62TE six speed auto and you don't have a dipstick. If that annoys you just as much as it does me, there is a solution: Get yourself a dipstick for a 2000-up Mopar with either a 46RE or 45/545RFE transmission (Pretty much anything with a 5.2/5.9/4.7 or 5.7 engine...

www.avengerforumz.com

Finally made a transmission dipstick for our 62TE

Finally made a transmission dipstick for our 62TE

Used the measurements from the South Main Auto youtube video. I marked the oil dipstick and made my own dipstick for the transmission using a dipstick from a 5.7 Hemi NAG1 300C/Charger dipstick (173361625795 on ebay). I measured the dipstick length as it bottoms out at the catch to the top of...

www.chryslerminivan.net

 

[Jeepman]

Just took some readings:

Ambient Temperature: 16C (61F)

Reading stone cold, nothing running: 95 mm

Reading cold, after idling the engine for 12 minutes: 9 mm (4/20 mm)

Then immediately took a short run to get the transmission hotter: 25 mm (34/48 mm)

That makes me think the temperature was only up to about 140F, or so. Blame that on the transmission cooler. Will need to recheck after a proper 25 km trip.

Anybody that thinks the transmission warms up as quickly as the engine, better think again, it takes about twice as long with highway driving.

** From Post #1

A solid landing and the dipstick has bottomed out properly at the stop (16.7"/424 mm from the top of the tube)**.

That 16.7" came from the first reference in Post #2, applicable to:
Applicable Models:

• 2007–2008 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2007–2010 Chrysler Sebring
• 2011–2014 Chrysler 200
• 2008–2014 Dodge Avenger
• 2008–present Chrysler Town and Country
• 2008–present Chrysler Grand Voyager
• 2008–present Dodge Grand Caravan

I don't believe the 16.7" is a correct number. For my 2016 DGC, I made the following measurements, as best I could:

Length of dipstick from collar to end: 670 mm
Amount of dipstick above tube: 262 mm
Amount of dipstick in tube (the difference): 408 mm (16.06")

Maybe things changed, or the number quoted should have been 16.07" or 16.!".

 

[civie]

This is the simplest method I have read. All the other ones hurt my head. I think I can do this. I watched the video also. Thank you for posting this

 

[Jeepman]

The measuring of transmission fluid level with these transmissions seems a little more elusive than it should be. One thing for sure is that if everything is absolutely cold, no engine running, the fluid level can be measured without any ado. This is similar to measuring engine oil level but transmission has to be cold and drained down (several hours maybe, first thing in the morning is a good time).

On the 41TE, that level corresponded to the crook in the dipstick CONSISTENTLY. For my 62TE, the measurement is 95 mm using the motor oil dipstick and has been verified three separate times CONSISTENTLY.

Not highly technical but very informative, I'm thinking. Anybody else done this measurement? If so, please report.

Doesn't the amount of fluid in the torque converter remain consistent, based on a service fill of 5.5 qts/5.2L? Therefore the level of fluid in the pan tells a story that may lead to a more forensic investigation. One thing for sure is that if you drop the pan for a fluid change, and then put the pan back on, the reading on the dipstick will be zilch.

Took readings this morning, May 11:

Ambient Temperature: 17C (63F)

Reading stone cold, nothing running: 95 mm. Same as yesterday.

Reading cold, after idling the engine for a couple minutes: 0 mm (4/20 mm)

Reading cold, after idling the engine for 6 minutes: 1 mm (4/20 mm)

Reading cold, after idling the engine for 12 minutes: 9 mm (4/20 mm) Same as yesterday.

 

[John the Populist]

just to be clear, reading stone cold 95mm: does that mean the atf has all drained from the trans and is sitting higher than when the trans is warm and filled to spec at 45ish mm?

it would be nice to be able to use that reference point...

 

[Jeepman]

just to be clear, reading stone cold 95mm: does that mean the atf has all drained from the trans and is sitting higher than when the trans is warm and filled to spec at 45ish mm?

it would be nice to be able to use that reference point...

I agree.
It does drain down, but not fast, like engine oil does. It takes a while per my observations so far. I will be taking more observations. Overnight is fine. That could be why it's not used as a measurement.

I'm thinking that if it's down a liter, one would know it.

It would be very helpful if others took the measurement and reported it here for data collection/comparison.

A service fill is 5.5qt/5.2L. How much spill is there when one first cracks the seal on the pan?
Transmission pan:

Product Dimensions	29.46 x 23.11 x 8.89 cm; 1.61 Kilograms

That equals 6 liters, if it were a box.

I'm still gathering information. Observations so far:

• the reading on the dipstick goes from 90 mm down to below 0 mm, on a cold startup.
• as the transmission warms up, the reading on the dipstick shows up and keeps rising depending on the fluid temperature
• getting to operating temperature (180F/80C) takes forever, likely because of the heavy duty cooler. Should be there on a highway trip though.
• 150F or 160F may be a more appropriate area to be looking at.

Found this. Maybe 1994 Sport could chime in, please.
Measuring transmission fluid level 62TE (2008 Town & Country )

Measuring transmission fluid level 62TE (2008 Town &amp...

Hi All, Having a transmission without a dipstick was not an option for me, these transmissions are very sensitive to the fluid level and not knowing the level for me was a big problem. I did the fluid and the filter change at the dealership to get some comfort but it turned to be more...

www.chryslerminivan.net

My suggestion would be to now check the fluid on a cold start and Mark your dipstick with this new measurement. That way you won't have to go through all the temp checking when you want to do a quick level check.

 

[Rick54301]

I agree.
It does drain down, but not fast, like engine oil does. It takes a while per my observations so far. I will be taking more observations. Overnight is fine. That could be why it's not used as a measurement.

I'm thinking that if it's down a liter, one would know it.

It would be very helpful if others took the measurement and reported it here for data collection/comparison.

A service fill is 5.5qt/5.2L. How much spill is there when one first cracks the seal on the pan?
Transmission pan:

Product Dimensions	29.46 x 23.11 x 8.89 cm; 1.61 Kilograms

That equals 6 liters, if it were a box.

I'm still gathering information. Observations so far:

• the reading on the dipstick goes from 90 mm down to below 0 mm, on a cold startup.
• as the transmission warms up, the reading on the dipstick shows up and keeps rising depending on the fluid temperature
• getting to operating temperature (180F/80C) takes forever, likely because of the heavy duty cooler. Should be there on a highway trip though.
• 150F or 160F may be a more appropriate area to be looking at.

Found this. Maybe 1994 Sport could chime in, please.
Measuring transmission fluid level 62TE (2008 Town & Country )

Measuring transmission fluid level 62TE (2008 Town &amp...

Hi All, Having a transmission without a dipstick was not an option for me, these transmissions are very sensitive to the fluid level and not knowing the level for me was a big problem. I did the fluid and the filter change at the dealership to get some comfort but it turned to be more...

www.chryslerminivan.net

The cold, not yet started, Transmission fluid level this morning on my 2019 (16K miles) DGC is 100mm. Transmission temperature 46F. degrees.

 

[Jeepman]

The cold, not yet started, Transmission fluid level this morning on my 2019 (16K miles) DGC is 100mm. Transmission temperature 46F. degrees.

You are overfilled. Ha, ha. At least the number is variable.

It would be interesting if someone took readings every 5 minutes, for say 20 minutes of idling, to see how the dipstick readings and fluid temperatures progress. The temperatures don't likely get very high.

 

[Rick54301]

You are overfilled. Ha, ha. At least the number is variable.

It would be interesting if someone took readings every 5 minutes, for say 20 minutes of idling, to see how the dipstick readings and fluid temperatures progress. The temperatures don't likely get very high.

Maybe I wasn't clear. This reading is with the engine not running, and having sat overnight.

 

[Jeepman]

Maybe I wasn't clear. This reading is with the engine not running, and having sat overnight.

I figured that, you were clear. Did you measure the transmission temperature or was that ambient temperature? It would take some time for the ambient temperature to move the transmission temperature, probably an hour or two lag.

Thanks for taking the time to do that work.

 

[Rick54301]

I figured that, you were clear. Did you measure the transmission temperature or was that ambient temperature? It would take some time for the ambient temperature to move the transmission temperature, probably an hour or two lag.

Thanks for taking the time to do that work.

Actual transmission temperature, measured with IR thermometer on the transmission front cover.

 

[civie]

I checked my 2008 which I had serviced at the dealer about 75,000 miles ago. It was about 60 degrees ambient temp. It had 115 mm cold (setting for 2 days. The 2020 had 86 mm setting overnight.

 

[Jeepman]

I checked my 2008 which I had serviced at the dealer about 75,000 miles ago. It was about 60 degrees ambient temp. It had 115 mm cold (setting for 2 days. The 2020 had 86 mm setting overnight.

Thanks.
Interesting.
Suggestion for the 2008:
Check the level a minute after startup and then 6 minutes after startup, i.e. 5 minutes later.

 

[civie]

I'll do that sometime. I wonder if setting for 2 days lets more fluid drain from the torque converter.

 

[2granddaughters]

Mine, resting cold overnight (~55F), is almost 115 MM. 60K Km - original factory fill (no top-up)

 

[Jeepman]

I'll do that sometime. I wonder if setting for 2 days lets more fluid drain from the torque converter.

Wouldn't think so, it's synthetic oil. Try your 2008 overnight and see what you get. I get fairly consistent readings with an overnight sit.

For each temperature on the chart, there's a 15 mm range, approximately, so that's some of the difference.

Interesting readings coming in.

 

[Jeepman]

We have stone cold readings, in mm, of 115, 115, 100, 95, 90, and 86.
Per the chart, each temperature has a 15 mm range approximately. That could account for some of the variation.
Today, at 4:15ish, my measurements were:
Ambient temperature: 20C/68F
Stone cold: 90mm
One minute: 0mm
Six minutes: 5mm
12 minutes: 10mm

 

[Jeepman]

Today, May 16, at 6:15ish pm, after 30 hours of non use, my measurements were:
Ambient temperature: 16C/61F
Stone cold (16C/61F*): 98 mm
One minute: 0 mm
Six minutes (23C/73F*): 9 mm (3 mm to 10 mm from the Chart)
Twelve minutes (28C/82F*): 19 mm (5 mm to 20 mm from Chart)

* Taken with infrared thermometer at top edge (bend) of front transmission pan.

Trends, I surmise, from that experience:
More fluid in pan after a longer sit
More fluid in pan means readings will be higher during warm up
A warmup, at idle, of about 10 minutes will bring the temperature up to around 27C/80F so a meaningful "cold" temperature can be taken.

UPDATE: May 17, Noon, sitting for 12 hours
Ambient temperature: 18C/64F
Stone cold (18C/64F*): 90 mm
One minute: 1 mm (just a touch)
Six minutes (32C/89F*): 5 mm (5 mm to 22 mm from the Chart)
Twelve minutes (40C/104F*): 15 mm (10 mm to 26 mm from Chart)

* Taken with infrared thermometer at top edge (bend) of front transmission pan.

 

[Jeepman]

Ad hoc measurement: 3:00 pm, after a short run.
70C/158F 30 mm (27 mm to 42 mm from Chart)

Temperature was jumping around a bit with the gun (65C to 70C).
65C = 24 mm to 40 mm
Lots of hot air from the fans kicking in. It was hot taking the plug out.

Update May 18, 11:00 am, after a 30 minute drive, mostly secondary road.
71C/160F: 40 mm (28 mm to 42 mm from Chart)

I'm thinking that one should be looking for 160F/70C to 180F/80C for a typical hot reading range and 28 mm to 48 mm for the measurement range. The 41TE had a hot range of 20 mm on its dipstick.

Update May 21, Noon, after a 30 minute drive, mostly secondary road.
75C/167F*: 38 mm (at the mid range, 30 mm to 44 mm from Chart)
* Taken with infrared thermometer, at spot to right of electrical connector, on front pan.
Ambient temperature: 20C/68F. Nice day.

Update May 21, 6:00 PM, 20C/68F ambient temperature
After sitting for 6 hours, stone cold, engine not running
90 mm reading on dipstick