How to check ATF level on 4 spd?

Jan 01, 2004 13 Replies

Still familiarizing myself with the (new to me) '01 LW300. Went to check fluids just for peace of mind and found only a red screw-off cap for the transmission fluid. On removing this, there was no dipstick. Fluid color looks good and smells right but how do you determine the proper level?



I also heard that there is an external filter for the transmission. should be easier than having to drop the pan.



Car came off of a lease so I'm just being suspicious of any maintenance that might have been missed and watching for any potential problems. So far, I'm loving it though.



Oppie


There's a plug on the transmission that you unscrew, the fluid level is supposed to be level with the bottom of the threaded hole. If not, you add fluiid until it starts draining out the hole.

Apparently on 4-cylinder vehicles, a hose for the AIR system and some of the power steering lines have to be unclamped and moved aside to get access to the plug.

Actually, the transmission filter seems to be inside the pan as usual on this car..

Thanks for the information. Will eventually get the service manuals...

Rest regards, Oppie

| > I also heard that there is an external filter for the transmission. should | > be easier than having to drop the pan. | >

| > Car came off of a lease so I'm just being suspicious of any maintenance | that | > might have been missed and watching for any potential problems. So far, | I'm | > loving it though. | >

| > Oppie | >

| > -- | > For valid response address, remove the '1' following oppie | > _________________ | >

| >

| |

there must be a window to see the fluid level. CALL THE DEALER NEAREST YOU for chryster, dodge, plymouth, desoto... shouldn't be hard to find one

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Desoto? ...fast-forward about 40+ years.

Based on this and your other reply, I might guess that you don't have, don't plan to have, and are not really interested in Saturn cars?

I think he's interested in selling his dental plan......there is a thread labeled something like SELL MY DENTAL PLAN from him... I don't normally open stuff like that but I had a feeling it might be from him and sure enough.......

...a new flavor of spam, geesch - just can't get away from the stuff. I don't believe I have ever bought anything from spammers or from the junk that comes thru US postal mail (and I don't plan on doing so either).

A capitalist troll!

stuff. I

either).

:- )

...44 degrees here in the frozen southwest this morning. I might have to stay home from work today due to extreme weather conditions! I don't know if the Saturn will even start in temps this cold...

Know what you mean. I'm from near NY City and was on a business trip to Lubbock, Texas a while back. There had been a cold snap and there was even a bit of ice on the roads. The car rental clerk at the airport started to give me an intense talk on how to drive on slippery roads... until I said that I was from NY. Then he smiled and said, "guess you know then." Frankly, I was more concerned about critters in the road.

Oppie

...too funny - another plus about living in the East! Happy 2004.

Jonnie...I know you are only joking....but I have started mine without too much trouble in -32 C (Oh Canada!)!! I think yours can handle 44 F easy enough. ;-) So get your butt to work. HAHAHA!

J> :- )

Then there was the comment that Garrison Keillor made about leaving the frozen north of Lake Woebegon and just heading south on the highway. He'd just keep going and wouldn't stop until somebody asked what the plug coming out the front of his car was for.

Ah, -32C (but it's a dry cold). One breath without a face mask and you feel all your mucous membranes crystallizing. I lived in northern NY while in college (postdam). We had many days of -20F. On the plus side, I found a great way to put snow chains on a mountain bike, going over 40mph on a frozen lake and leaning into turns! Also, the rare northern lights were absolutely awesome.

Oppie

-32C ...there shouldn't be a temperature that low!!! Wow. The only thing I noticed is that the driver's side, front power window is very slow (sometimes stalls) going down when it's in the low 40's (guess the window motor is probably dieing).

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