Here's The Outcome......

Hi All:

A couple of weeks ago I asked if an automatic transmission dipstick from a '05 Liberty could accurately measure the transmission fluid in an '07 Liberty.

Most all of you said no, it had to be measured by a special dipstick at a certain temperature.

I have two '07 Libertys, one a Sport and one is a Limited.

I have an '05 automatic ****** dipstick so I did an experiment.

When I took the first one to the Jeep dealership for service I had them check the automatic transmission fluid level. I was told it was full and the fluid looked to be in good shape.

I came home and let the engine idle in park and checked the fluid level with my '05 dipstick and it also showed the fluid was at the full mark.

A week or so later I took my other '07 in for service and had them check the ****** fluid per their standards and it registered full.

Same drill: I came home and measured it in park with engine idiling and my '05 dipstick showed it was also at the full mark!

Maybe its a quirk of nature or its just my two Libertys, but the '05 automatic dipstick was as accurate as the Jeep dealership's findings.

I'll continue to have the dealership check the fluid level when I take both in for any work done, but inbetween times I will use my trusty '05 dipstick to keep an eye on the fluid levels.

:icon_razz:

Don't trans fluids need to be checked in Neutral? I was never 100% on this.

Nope, park with engine running.

Transmission fluid should always be checked with the trans at temperature in NEUTRAL. Even says so right on the dipstick.

If you drive the Jeep and check it quickly with it in P it 'should' be close to correct.

The transmission doesn't pump fluid in P, which is also why you should keep it in N if its overheating and youre trying to cool it down.

My manual says Park only. Drive it long enough to warm it up, about 10 miles, then park it with engine running and check it.

Just a FIY if anyone cares . I have an 02 with the 45 trans & an 05 with the 42 trans & both dipsticks have yellow ends & look the same but they are not the same length .

Ok, good to know both dipsticks fit.


As to reading the dipsticks........Mine is an 05 with the OEM dipstick. It says right on the dipstick......check cold (70 degrees) lower hole...hot (180 degrees) upper hole...do not add if between holes. Check at idol in NEUTRAL.


I have always checked mine in NEUTRAL at running temp after the vehicle has been driven a minimum of 10 miles or so while ideling. I don't know if it says anywhere that you should drive it 10 miles but that's what I do . I don't know if this applies to all vehicles but I would suggest you do whatever the dipstick for your vehicle says.


When in doubt, check your dipstick....LOL


Dave

So the manual and dipstick contradict each other. Nice.

I would follow what the Liberty FSM says, as that's vehicle specific. That same dipstick is likely to be used for more than just the Liberty. Although, I don't see a difference. Neutral is a no gear, as is park.

My '05 CRD dipstick is too long so it pushes the dipstick handle out of the tube a bit. I always zip-tied it to something to keep it closed. Others either cut some off the end or put a couple bends in it. Many have found the transmission shifts better when overfilled which implies the dipstick is marked "full" too low.

It's possible "dipstick engineers" aren't the best in the business.

Aren't you also supposed to put it into each gear selection as well? once at operating temp, and before placing into neutral to check..
Don't know if it makes any difference or not I just always got it to temp, put into park and put it into each gear down to 1, then cycle back up to neutral and check the fluid with the Jeep still on..

turblediesel said:

My '05 CRD dipstick is too long so it pushes the dipstick handle out of the tube a bit. I always zip-tied it to something to keep it closed. Others either cut some off the end or put a couple bends in it. Many have found the transmission shifts better when overfilled which implies the dipstick is marked "full" too low.

It's possible "dipstick engineers" aren't the best in the business.

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Are you saying the dipstick won't go all the way in or it won't stay all the way in ? I have a truck that every time I opened the hood the dipstick would be up about 1/2 " . I replaced the pcv valve & no more problem .

Logan Savage said:

Are you saying the dipstick won't go all the way in or it won't stay all the way in ? I have a truck that every time I opened the hood the dipstick would be up about 1/2 " . I replaced the pcv valve & no more problem .

Click to expand...

Transmission dipstick...

Goes all the way in but wiggles back out on its' own. I'll be shortening it before it goes back on the road.

I've always checked our Libby's ATF in Park. Now, the old RWD Chrysler transmissions (727/904) had to be in Neutral, as they didn't pump fluid in Park (the pump still ran, but there was an internal bypass).

HoosierJeeper said:

So the manual and dipstick contradict each other. Nice.

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I just checked both on mine...same thing. And I KNOW my dipstick is OE. I tend to lean towards checking it in Park. Maybe I'll check with one of those on-line on-call techs and see what they have to say.

I just read my manual yesterday and it said something along the lines of "It MUST be checked in Park to obtain an accurate reading and not checking it in Park will result in an inaccurate reading or death"

Maybe not death. But replacing a trans feels like death.

If your CRD trans dipstick keeps popping out an inch or so, that is a sure sign that the motor mounts need to be changed. The weird harmonic vibrations caused by pooched mounts happen to make the dipstick creep without you noticing a bad vibration.