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
