the crap they do to these vehicles nowadays is ridiculous, and the sad part is that the dealership's don't always have reliable mechanics to fix the stuff right anyway. i am 46 next month, and I have never taken my vehicles anywhere to be fixed,y grandpa, and my dad taught me how to fix cars when I was kid, because out of us 6 kids, there was one boy, and my brother doesn't like working on cars. my grandpa never wanted to have anyone fix his house or car, i guess because he was an engineer. as Gramps got older, he needed help, so I was it, because he was so darn stubborn, and would never call anyone to fix anything. i learned a lot from Gramps, wish he was still here. love your vids God bless your family.
This is a great idea. My last Chrysler I had gone to Home Depot and bought a long ziptie from the electrical isle to mark and use as a dipstick, works well too, but keep it around and don't lose it! I'll mark the engine oil dipstick next time.
Great job. Thanks for showing the hack. My dealership insisted that the only correct way to check the fluid was with their tool. As a fellow technician I try to give my customers ways to self help. But did you notice that if they wanted to use the engine oil dipstick without marking it up they can use the already marked points. The 40mm mark is at the same location as the add mark if the transmission fluid is "hot".
OMG thank you! My granddaughter has the crycare van. I am not a fan. I do some of the repairs and some maintenance. I just could not justify the cost of the wip stick 70$ but not knowing ALL the info you just provided nails it for me! You are the best!
Almost every time I turn to YT for a vehicle question, you pop up. Same year, same color, different model, but works all the same. I shall be trying this!
Great hack! Using the oil dipstick saves time and money. I'm an old 59 dIY guy and have been since around 12 years old. Now, I will go check my ATF fluid level.
As always, my favorite mechanic! Great hack! I bought a factory technician transmission checker like the one at first of video so I could check mine. I hate carrying that stupid thing around with me. Will be doing this hack tomorrow morning. Thanks again for making amazing videos!!!
You are a true automotive hero! Saving the masses by applying a lil common sense and know how with a awesome can do attatude! I don't even have one of these.... but so awesome! Thank you!
You look like an honest mechanic my friend I can always tell when I see one you are a true mechanic my friend bless your heart. These days it's so hard to take your car to the dealership to get worked on I don't trust nobody from the dealership one of my wife's friends took her car in recently there were doing a oil change on the vehicle drained out the oil got carried away doing something else call her back told her your car is ready drove in a couple miles the whole engine went out on her right now you're probably not going to believe me when she called the dealership and told them there's no oil in my car the dealership trying to cover their own ass don't take my word for it just cross your fingers the next time you go to a dealership to get your car worked on and for that reason I will never in my life trust dealerships ever again I never once in my life took my car to the dealership to get worked on EVER......
Oh Dude bless you...I have 2013 grand caravan I looked and thought are they kidding no trans stick. Thank you for your hack. It so works. Keep it Simple.👃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Our Volvo comes with a trans oil dipstick, but it's buried deep in the engine bay, and surrounded by the hot side turbo piping and radiator hose. To make matters worse, the dipstick has a lock on it at the base of the tube, which is why I'm probably the first person to ever check it. I've affectionately named it "The Ring of Fire."
I was told they stop putting dip sticks in because to many people were over filling them (filling to the hot line, when it was not up to temp.). I came across this on another brand too, I think it was a Pontiac. Great tip as always.
Gary's Garage at least the couple GM trans without a dipstick have the bolt in the side you use, fill until it comes out the hole and it's full, that's it, don't even have to start the car.
yep, i know chevy cobalt and some pontiacs have no dipstick or any place to put one. you gotta jack it up keeping it level and with it running at operating temp and pull an 11mm bolt by the cv shaft and fill it till it comes out. freakin pain in the ass
My money is on BMW. The timing belt thing has been that way for decades on Audi/VW cars, especially if they have a V6 or V8 and AWD and even so its more of a drawback of the design (Quattro AWD means most of the engine is ahead of the front wheels which results in the engine jammed up against the radiator) as opposed to engineers purposely trying to get everybody to go to the dealer for an oil change or anything engine related for that matter like BMW does.
Thank much for that great tip, I hadn't even looked for a dipstick yet. Here I was going to add a Trans cooler and didn't know there was no sip stick, talk about feeling like a dip stick :-D
Chrysler has created some "protectionism" in the newer models, my 2013 Town & Country transmission can only be serviced by a dealer, as far as I can find out, regardless of voiding the warranty. I also had to replace the r/h low beam headlight receptacle due to burned up wiring. It appears to be about 18ga and the bulbs draw enough amps to waste the receptacle which cost me about $30. Thanks for the great video, I will be buying or making a dipstick!
I just got a 2010 Town and country the other day and i was looking for the transmission dipstick today. Knowing this nice hack though is sure going to save me money in my pocket. Thanks so much for this video!
something I've been thinking of doing is just taking a dipstick from an old engine and cutting it down to the correct length then following the chart for the correct graduations. great video
I have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 62TE at 92K miles. Just did a pan drop with new filter and fluid. Used one of those 5 foot long tie wraps they use in HVAC system to make a dipstick per your instructions here. They are 3/8th inch wide and I cut it down to 20 inches long. Used a file to make slight grooves at the right points, then marked it with a sharpie. The grooves in the tie wrap hold the sharpie ink very well. None came off when I used it after letting it dry for 24 hrs. And the head of the tie wrap makes a good handle. Great channel and thanks for the info, Eric :-)
I got sent here from The Mechanic OC, his video came up on recommended, I started and then stopped watching his video after about thirty seconds and clicked on the link to your video, a video I hadn't seen before on your channel. Thank's Mechanic OC
A few years ago Mecedes Benz trucks did away with engine oil dipsticks in favour of a dash low warning light ,brilliant untill the sensor acts up then you are scuttled !!
Chrysler really dropped the ball here. I had one of these vans a couple days ago, had to do the cooler lines. I wasn't sure how much leaked out before I changed the lines, so I dumped a litre of fluid in. I bought one of those dipsticks from AST tools for the Chryslers. Not sure what the measurements are on yours but mine are in 10mm sections. Fluid was on the stick so I went for a drive, and let it run until operating temp, which is about 95 Celsius, hooked my Snap On Modus Ultra scantool up to check trans temp according to the chart, my scanner only reads in Fareinheit but the chart had min and max in both Celsius and Farenheit so I figured I would be ok. Nothing was making any sense at all, it said I need to get to 200F, but it was hovering around 116F, and it was at operating temp of 95c, so I said screw it, looked at the chart for 95C, it said 40mm, that's what was on the stick, so I let the customer have it. This set up is stupid an confusing, why couldn't they just have one with min/max, idling in park, no that would be to easy.
xl auto parts sells the universal dip stick in dorman brand for around 25 bucks here in texas. also comes with the temp and oil level chart for multiple chrysler/ dodge vehicles.🤖
I had just researched this very topic for my 2015 Dodge Durango. On that trans, the engine oil dip stick is too short and will not reach the pan. BUT, you gave me the method to find something long enough to get the reading. THANK YOU! Bill in CT.
Holy Cow. I did this with a coat hanger but this,,,,,,,,this is genious. I will never have to go find my effing crappy coat hanger measuring device again. THANK YOU!!!
My 2011 f150 has a "hidden" dipstick inside the transmission. Unfortunately, you have to be under a hot running truck right up against the exhaust to pull it out. What a great idea!
That trans dipstick doesn’t hit the pan, theres a stop which the dipstick is likely to fold over and give a false reading. Thats why the dipstick tool was re designed with the stopper at the end. So be careful with the homemade dipsticks
Eric i use a sink drain coil with a plastic measure piece of an old dipstick ,works a treat. Wait till you check some of the Mercedes gear box oils dipstick needs to be long that's very very long. Nice idea.
I ordered the universal dipstick off of Amazon but it’s the same as the oil dip stick minus the marks every 5 mm. So instead of spending $20 and waiting just wipe the engine oil off and use the stick u already have. Also I found out I had a thermocouple attachment for my Fluke meter and that worked well for measuring the temp of the fluid.
Thanks Eric, great hack! Appreciate your honesty and all your videos. I have learned a lot from your common sense approach to repairing autos. You are a great teacher.
The dip stick does not bottom out in the pan there is a stop before you hit bottom and an oil dip stick can slide past that stop, that's why the regular dip stick has that big end on it
It would really help if SOMEONE said how far to insert the oil dip stick to reach the Stop!! So far, no one has indicated how many inches to insert the oil dipstick. It looks, from the video, as if it's about 2/3 of the dipstick, with 1/3 sticking out the top. Does anyone have the exact inches to make sure you've inserted the dipstick the correct amount to the stop??? Thank you very much!
Lot's of those lovely "no stick" models out there these days. My favorite are the "sealed for life" CVTs. Had a guy asking me about a Ford with non-operational hubs the other day. Pointed him to your video. He calls me back asking "Why did they make them that way, it's just stupid". Just said "Welcome to my world"
Asked about my "lifetime" fuel filter and trans fluid/filter, so these will last a good 50 plus years and 500k miles? Dealer, no, about 100-150k. Me: That is not even near lifetime. Dealer: Most people don't keep their cars that long Me: Lifetime Dealer: Shrug
Yeah, these things are meant to last the lifetime of the loan, not the car. Then it's time to run out and finance another brand new car, and everybody wins! Right?
And it was only a few years ago that they were all bragging about how long their vehicles lasted compared to the rest of the field.... Guess the bean counters saw that and were like, "WHAT! they won't buy new if they last that long".... So now you have 10,000 mule oil changes, "lifetime" trans fluids, Lifetime filters, and more.
I like the trans dipstick on Ford trucks. It has one under a plug on the right front of the transmission but it's so close to the catalytic converter you burn your hand trying to check the fluid level. SHEESH!
@@SouthMainAuto Hello Eric, how often do you recommend changing the fluid on a 62TE transmission? Could you please get the chart for the 2014 Grand Caravan, please?
freightliner business class truck had a trans called a ags and it does have a sight glass but to add fluid you have to have certain software to hook up and depressurize then transmission before removing the fill plug and trust me it can set for days and its still pressurized. a person could get hurt fulking with one if you dont know this.
How far down do you put it in the tube? A measurement from the top of the tube would be nice to have to make another scribe mark for consistent measurements.
Exactly! I just did this tonight, and it's really hard to tell if you've put the dipstick in far enough. I wish someone would give us that measurement. I watched & re-watched this video.... it looks like 2/3 of the oil dispstick is inserted, and 1/3 sticks out the top, but sure would like something more accurate than that since we ARE measuring fluid levels in mm!!
Great Hack, I rant and raved over the stupidity of not having a dip stick in our 2010 VW Routan SEL, it's almost insulting, assuming you need to pay them to check that fluid.
Dipsticks don’t usually hit the pan... it usually stays just above the bottom so the dipstick needs a “stop” mark so you know how deep to put it in. You are “measuring” more than the actual amount of fluid.
Even when Dodge Caravan's still had transmission dipsticks in the late 90's to early 00's, they were notorious for burning up transmission clutches. This is also why SEMA and the other aftermarket associations need to be supported as they fight the manufacturers to keep the vehicles serviceable outside of stealerships. OBD2 was the result of that....one common plug and similar code numbers.
Complete junk transmissions. The 41TE / A604 transmission couldn't hold up behind a 1.8 or 2.0L in a Neon. Chrysler had the great idea to put it behind a big v6 in a heavy minivan.
Today's cars don't even come with an engine oil dipstick. It basically comes with a cover over the entire engine that reads "You don't belong here, go to our authorized dealers only".
Eric what is your take on the 62TE transmission in terms of longevity as a whole? Continuing the proud tradition of Ultra-Drive, or an improvement? How many miles before this one kicked the bucket?
Eric AWESOME video. I hate when the engineers design cars just to make it harder to work on. Genius work. I hope Hanna is learning lots from you. That way she can shut down all the guys pretending to know about their own cars.
As the time passes many of these transmissions don't even come with that black plug to remove anymore. You now have another special tool and method to do to check transmission level.
Brother this video will be 10000 thank yous if this is the same as my 2010 with a 4.0. as a diesel mechanic and always GM got my wife a newer used van starting to shift rough and I need to check trans fluid
thanks for the filing it bit. because i got an aftermarket checker and its very hard to tell where the actual fluid level is because most of the stick gets coated but its more coated where it went in the pan but this may help me get a better reading
Please, how many quartz of ATF4+ does the transmission take after a fluid change? With these marks as references, I added only 4 litres, while many guys mention 5.5 quarts. I just want to avoid over filling. Please help. Thanks
hey eric great tip !!!!!! I have had a lot of customers that ask . where the he'll is my trans dipstick ? and the did you forgot to put the dipstick back ? no lady it didn't come with one . then they look at me like I have 6 heads ...... thanks again Eric for all you do and teach .
whoaaaaaaa there Eric-o.... Chrysler transmission never fail......... on a serious note dam good idea dude, stupid for sure the way they want fluids checked now a days
Some dealer mechanics can't be trusted. Sign says " mechanic on duty" that's not the one working on your car. I took my car to Musselman Dodge in Catonsville, MD and my car cut off after I got off the highway, the mechanic short-changed me on my engine oil and it has a dipstick to check the oil level. Of course they blamed me. That all happened after my tire almost flew off when I had my tires rotated because the mechanic only put 2 lug nuts on each tire instead of the 5. The other mechanics ran out of the shop when they heard the noise. Shame and sad.
Thanks so much!! Just did a service on 2014 Dodge Journey…… thought it was one of the stupidest things for dodge to do ( not putting a dipstick for reference) I WILL HAVE THE HOOD OPEN WITH THE GRINDER OUT AS WELL!! Tomorrow
Simple, no cost, effective, reliable. Brilliant!!!! Way to go Eric!
the crap they do to these vehicles nowadays is ridiculous, and the sad part is that the dealership's don't always have reliable mechanics to fix the stuff right anyway. i am 46 next month, and I have never taken my vehicles anywhere to be fixed,y grandpa, and my dad taught me how to fix cars when I was kid, because out of us 6 kids, there was one boy, and my brother doesn't like working on cars. my grandpa never wanted to have anyone fix his house or car, i guess because he was an engineer. as Gramps got older, he needed help, so I was it, because he was so darn stubborn, and would never call anyone to fix anything. i learned a lot from Gramps, wish he was still here. love your vids God bless your family.
If you remember just above the twist for cold, and 1/4" below the kink for hot, you don't even have to mark the stick. Thanks for the tip!
We're does the fluid go in at
Into the same tube you are putting the dipstick into, you need a funnel.@@curtislafoy8469
@@curtislafoy8469 Down the dipstick tube.
This is a great idea. My last Chrysler I had gone to Home Depot and bought a long ziptie from the electrical isle to mark and use as a dipstick, works well too, but keep it around and don't lose it! I'll mark the engine oil dipstick next time.
😎😀
Great job. Thanks for showing the hack. My dealership insisted that the only correct way to check the fluid was with their tool. As a fellow technician I try to give my customers ways to self help. But did you notice that if they wanted to use the engine oil dipstick without marking it up they can use the already marked points. The 40mm mark is at the same location as the add mark if the transmission fluid is "hot".
I have the same dam van. I'm doing this hack right now!
Thanks Mr O👍
You are a genius, my brother. Thank you very much for being so generous as to show the rest of us how to make life easier. Have a great year.
What an Epic way to stick it to the man literally.
FYI Most of these Dodge vehicles will show you in the dash what the transmission temperature is.
OMG thank you! My granddaughter has the crycare van. I am not a fan. I do some of the repairs and some maintenance. I just could not justify the cost of the wip stick 70$ but not knowing ALL the info you just provided nails it for me! You are the best!
Almost every time I turn to YT for a vehicle question, you pop up. Same year, same color, different model, but works all the same. I shall be trying this!
Great hack! Using the oil dipstick saves time and money. I'm an old 59 dIY guy and have been since around 12 years old. Now, I will go check my ATF fluid level.
As always, my favorite mechanic! Great hack! I bought a factory technician transmission checker like the one at first of video so I could check mine. I hate carrying that stupid thing around with me. Will be doing this hack tomorrow morning. Thanks again for making amazing videos!!!
You are a true automotive hero! Saving the masses by applying a lil common sense and know how with a awesome can do attatude!
I don't even have one of these.... but so awesome! Thank you!
You look like an honest mechanic my friend I can always tell when I see one you are a true mechanic my friend bless your heart. These days it's so hard to take your car to the dealership to get worked on I don't trust nobody from the dealership one of my wife's friends took her car in recently there were doing a oil change on the vehicle drained out the oil got carried away doing something else call her back told her your car is ready drove in a couple miles the whole engine went out on her right now you're probably not going to believe me when she called the dealership and told them there's no oil in my car the dealership trying to cover their own ass don't take my word for it just cross your fingers the next time you go to a dealership to get your car worked on and for that reason I will never in my life trust dealerships ever again I never once in my life took my car to the dealership to get worked on EVER......
Oh Dude bless you...I have 2013 grand caravan I looked and thought are they kidding no trans stick. Thank you for your hack. It so works. Keep it Simple.👃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
"The Man " can always be overcome with smarts and perseverance!! Hell ya way to go Dr O
Our Volvo comes with a trans oil dipstick, but it's buried deep in the engine bay, and surrounded by the hot side turbo piping and radiator hose. To make matters worse, the dipstick has a lock on it at the base of the tube, which is why I'm probably the first person to ever check it. I've affectionately named it "The Ring of Fire."
"Dipstick is conveniently stored right there" That got me tickled.
I was told they stop putting dip sticks in because to many people were over filling them (filling to the hot line, when it was not up to temp.). I came across this on another brand too, I think it was a Pontiac. Great tip as always.
Gary's Garage at least the couple GM trans without a dipstick have the bolt in the side you use, fill until it comes out the hole and it's full, that's it, don't even have to start the car.
yep, i know chevy cobalt and some pontiacs have no dipstick or any place to put one. you gotta jack it up keeping it level and with it running at operating temp and pull an 11mm bolt by the cv shaft and fill it till it comes out. freakin pain in the ass
Yes, that is how to fill it. Still not themes convenient.
Kyle Veilleux one of the few times you use an 11mm socket or wrench. lol
Gracias hermano yo tengo una Chrysler town and Country y eso me ayudo bastante para saber medir el aceite de transmisión.
Thank you so much for the simple hack! Trans fluid all over the garage from a leak and no way to tell how to add to get it back to the shop. Thanks!
bravo bravo and I'll say it again Bravo!!!!! this is another reason why this channel ROCKS, keep it up Eric. 👍👍
I predict BMW will be the first to come without a bonnet (Hood) catch so you will be no longer permitted to open your own hood.
VW might beat them to it, since you currently have to remove the front of the car to change the timing belt on some of their models.
"no user serviceable parts inside"
My money is on BMW. The timing belt thing has been that way for decades on Audi/VW cars, especially if they have a V6 or V8 and AWD and even so its more of a drawback of the design (Quattro AWD means most of the engine is ahead of the front wheels which results in the engine jammed up against the radiator) as opposed to engineers purposely trying to get everybody to go to the dealer for an oil change or anything engine related for that matter like BMW does.
Thank much for that great tip, I hadn't even looked for a dipstick yet. Here I was going to add a Trans cooler and didn't know there was no sip stick, talk about feeling like a dip stick :-D
Its already here the hood on the i8 is bolted on and says in owners manual removal could void warranty
Chrysler has created some "protectionism" in the newer models, my 2013 Town & Country transmission can only be serviced by a dealer, as far as I can find out, regardless of voiding the warranty. I also had to replace the r/h low beam headlight receptacle due to burned up wiring. It appears to be about 18ga and the bulbs draw enough amps to waste the receptacle which cost me about $30. Thanks for the great video, I will be buying or making a dipstick!
Chrysler does a terrible job with wiring.
I just got a 2010 Town and country the other day and i was looking for the transmission dipstick today. Knowing this nice hack though is sure going to save me money in my pocket. Thanks so much for this video!
something I've been thinking of doing is just taking a dipstick from an old engine and cutting it down to the correct length then following the chart for the correct graduations.
great video
I have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 62TE at 92K miles. Just did a pan drop with new filter and fluid. Used one of those 5 foot long tie wraps they use in HVAC system to make a dipstick per your instructions here. They are 3/8th inch wide and I cut it down to 20 inches long. Used a file to make slight grooves at the right points, then marked it with a sharpie. The grooves in the tie wrap hold the sharpie ink very well. None came off when I used it after letting it dry for 24 hrs. And the head of the tie wrap makes a good handle. Great channel and thanks for the info, Eric :-)
I got sent here from The Mechanic OC, his video came up on recommended, I started and then stopped watching his video after about thirty seconds and clicked on the link to your video, a video I hadn't seen before on your channel. Thank's Mechanic OC
Lol @ rocket surgery 🤣
That's great. Good job with "sticking" it to the man. They are so ridiculous.
this is genius, I'm sure some people will hate on this idea but it will work perfectly
Another great video....as a displaced NY'er (Saratoga) living in Virginia...I love the NY humor!! Keep up the great work!
A few years ago Mecedes Benz trucks did away with engine oil dipsticks in favour of a dash low warning light ,brilliant untill the sensor acts up then you are scuttled !!
Chrysler really dropped the ball here. I had one of these vans a couple days ago, had to do the cooler lines. I wasn't sure how much leaked out before I changed the lines, so I dumped a litre of fluid in. I bought one of those dipsticks from AST tools for the Chryslers. Not sure what the measurements are on yours but mine are in 10mm sections. Fluid was on the stick so I went for a drive, and let it run until operating temp, which is about 95 Celsius, hooked my Snap On Modus Ultra scantool up to check trans temp according to the chart, my scanner only reads in Fareinheit but the chart had min and max in both Celsius and Farenheit so I figured I would be ok. Nothing was making any sense at all, it said I need to get to 200F, but it was hovering around 116F, and it was at operating temp of 95c, so I said screw it, looked at the chart for 95C, it said 40mm, that's what was on the stick, so I let the customer have it. This set up is stupid an confusing, why couldn't they just have one with min/max, idling in park, no that would be to easy.
Dude we are alike..before I watched this vid I was like why buy another dip stick, it already has one...then I saw your vid. Thanks
That’s what it is all about. Keeping money in your pocket. Being self sufficient when../where you can. Thanks for your insight
xl auto parts sells the universal dip stick in dorman brand for around 25 bucks here in texas. also comes with the temp and oil level chart for multiple chrysler/ dodge vehicles.🤖
I had just researched this very topic for my 2015 Dodge Durango. On that trans, the engine oil dip stick is too short and will not reach the pan. BUT, you gave me the method to find something long enough to get the reading. THANK YOU! Bill in CT.
Holy Cow. I did this with a coat hanger but this,,,,,,,,this is genious. I will never have to go find my effing crappy coat hanger measuring device again. THANK YOU!!!
Awesome! I'm going to share this with my favorite mechanic, Jeff Decker at Quality Automotive in Evansville, IN.
My 2011 f150 has a "hidden" dipstick inside the transmission. Unfortunately, you have to be under a hot running truck right up against the exhaust to pull it out. What a great idea!
That trans dipstick doesn’t hit the pan, theres a stop which the dipstick is likely to fold over and give a false reading. Thats why the dipstick tool was re designed with the stopper at the end. So be careful with the homemade dipsticks
Eric i use a sink drain coil with a plastic measure piece of an old dipstick ,works a treat.
Wait till you check some of the Mercedes gear box oils dipstick needs to be long that's very very long.
Nice idea.
I ordered the universal dipstick off of Amazon but it’s the same as the oil dip stick minus the marks every 5 mm. So instead of spending $20 and waiting just wipe the engine oil off and use the stick u already have. Also I found out I had a thermocouple attachment for my Fluke meter and that worked well for measuring the temp of the fluid.
Your a life saver. I have a 2017 Grand Caravan to do a trans service on today with the same setup.
your the best man I live in Toronto so rust belt and your videos help me out a lot I'm a young feet mechanic for a taxi company
Thanks Eric,
great hack! Appreciate your honesty and all your videos. I have learned a lot from your common sense approach to repairing autos. You are a great teacher.
The dip stick does not bottom out in the pan there is a stop before you hit bottom and an oil dip stick can slide past that stop, that's why the regular dip stick has that big end on it
It would really help if SOMEONE said how far to insert the oil dip stick to reach the Stop!! So far, no one has indicated how many inches to insert the oil dipstick. It looks, from the video, as if it's about 2/3 of the dipstick, with 1/3 sticking out the top. Does anyone have the exact inches to make sure you've inserted the dipstick the correct amount to the stop??? Thank you very much!
Just stumbled across this. Genius!!!! That’s why your the top dog!!!
Life Hack Central! Absolutely love it.
Thanks for the tip doing the wife's Chrysler Town in Country fluid change now. Appreciate it.
Great video, I looked all over for the dipstick. The owners manual doesn't even mention it.
Lot's of those lovely "no stick" models out there these days. My favorite are the "sealed for life" CVTs. Had a guy asking me about a Ford with non-operational hubs the other day. Pointed him to your video. He calls me back asking "Why did they make them that way, it's just stupid". Just said "Welcome to my world"
and then you have the life time air filters like the put on the Focus haha. I just want one with lifetime gas!
Asked about my "lifetime" fuel filter and trans fluid/filter, so these will last a good 50 plus years and 500k miles?
Dealer, no, about 100-150k.
Me: That is not even near lifetime.
Dealer: Most people don't keep their cars that long
Me: Lifetime
Dealer: Shrug
Yeah, these things are meant to last the lifetime of the loan, not the car. Then it's time to run out and finance another brand new car, and everybody wins!
Right?
Charles Putt I couldn't have said it better myself. Meant to last the life of the LOAN!
And it was only a few years ago that they were all bragging about how long their vehicles lasted compared to the rest of the field.... Guess the bean counters saw that and were like, "WHAT! they won't buy new if they last that long".... So now you have 10,000 mule oil changes, "lifetime" trans fluids, Lifetime filters, and more.
That's what I call "thinking with your dipstick" thank you for another great South Main Auto video!!
Bless you!! Great information!!! I just had one with leaking cooler lines, how much was lost..??? Now I can tell!!
I like the trans dipstick on Ford trucks. It has one under a plug on the right front of the transmission but it's so close to the catalytic converter you burn your hand trying to check the fluid level. SHEESH!
Thats sheer genius Eric. lol!!! At least with that dipstick you know your fluid is within range. Good video.
How smart is that? I love the idea. My Dodge Magnum has a tube but no dip stick. Stupid, but now I know how to fix it. Awesome.
Let me know if you need the fluid chart for yours Wyatt.
Is there a link you can send me? That would be a great help. Thank you.
Just text me your email with your VIN and I will get it to ya
@@SouthMainAuto Hello Eric, how often do you recommend changing the fluid on a 62TE transmission? Could you please get the chart for the 2014 Grand Caravan, please?
Brilliant! You're right it ain't rocket surgery...lol! thanks buddy.
Thanks for the tip. I use it every time I do an oil change. And every week when my transmission had leaky cooler hoses.
freightliner business class truck had a trans called a ags and it does have a sight glass but to add fluid you have to have certain software to hook up and depressurize then transmission before removing the fill plug and trust me it can set for days and its still pressurized. a person could get hurt fulking with one if you dont know this.
Love this!! Will this procedure work on a 2012 Dodge Caravan?? I hope so.... thanks.
So glad I'm subscribed and found this vid, what's life saver dude. I know one thing, these engineers are losing it.
How far down do you put it in the tube? A measurement from the top of the tube would be nice to have to make another scribe mark for consistent measurements.
Exactly! I just did this tonight, and it's really hard to tell if you've put the dipstick in far enough. I wish someone would give us that measurement. I watched & re-watched this video.... it looks like 2/3 of the oil dispstick is inserted, and 1/3 sticks out the top, but sure would like something more accurate than that since we ARE measuring fluid levels in mm!!
I got a 2009 T & C, I am gonna use this tip. You probably just saved me hundreds. Easily.
Best video on this subject I have seen.
You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!!
My 2010 Routan SEL has the Chrysler 4.0 and the 62TE trans. Thanks for the tip
Excellent video. One of the first things I noticed on my GMC Terrain, no transmission dip stick. I'm going to hunt up a temp chart.
Great Hack, I rant and raved over the stupidity of not having a dip stick in our 2010 VW Routan SEL, it's almost insulting, assuming you need to pay them to check that fluid.
Dipsticks don’t usually hit the pan... it usually stays just above the bottom so the dipstick needs a “stop” mark so you know how deep to put it in. You are “measuring” more than the actual amount of fluid.
Key word "usually." Read service info. You'll see I'm right.
Complicating the situation, trying to put the little man out of biz. Every company is doing it. Awesome video as always!
Even when Dodge Caravan's still had transmission dipsticks in the late 90's to early 00's, they were notorious for burning up transmission clutches. This is also why SEMA and the other aftermarket associations need to be supported as they fight the manufacturers to keep the vehicles serviceable outside of stealerships. OBD2 was the result of that....one common plug and similar code numbers.
Complete junk transmissions. The 41TE / A604 transmission couldn't hold up behind a 1.8 or 2.0L in a Neon. Chrysler had the great idea to put it behind a big v6 in a heavy minivan.
Don't forget those SAFETY GLASSES when grinding metal! If not, we could have Mrs. O doing future videos!
Today's cars don't even come with an engine oil dipstick. It basically comes with a cover over the entire engine that reads "You don't belong here, go to our authorized dealers only".
I wonder what it takes to become "Authorized??"
$$$$, I imagine
....or perhaps a service writer who lies easily and wants to sell the customer lots of stuff they don't need.
I don't call them cars anymore, more like appliances.
Write a book?
You rock, thanks for the tip on this. I just bought a 2012 TC with this transmission.
Eric what is your take on the 62TE transmission in terms of longevity as a whole? Continuing the proud tradition of Ultra-Drive, or an improvement? How many miles before this one kicked the bucket?
Great video.... my question is do I check it in neutral or park.. thanks
So for a 2018 Dodge Caravan SE it should be just about the same measurement's? I love the video's, thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍
Is it the same measurement for the 3.8 vs 3.6
Eric AWESOME video. I hate when the engineers design cars just to make it harder to work on. Genius work. I hope Hanna is learning lots from you. That way she can shut down all the guys pretending to know about their own cars.
I really like your style and sharing your experiences with us.💕💕🙏🏽🙏🏽
Maybe they came up with this idea because someone at higher levels thought there were already too many dipsticks in the world.
caduceus33: yes right too many dipsticks,they just included themselves. Man
what are they thinking?
Thank you. Doing a trans repair on my wife's T&C and needed the dipstick info.
Bunch of crap from Chrysler 😡
As the time passes many of these transmissions don't even come with that black plug to remove anymore. You now have another special tool and method to do to check transmission level.
Tried this and works like a charm
Good job on the measuring on the dipstick. Other people are not GOOD at it. Thank you.
Thank you for this video, how common is for that 62TE 6-speed automatic transmission to fail?
Awesome, I like how you think outside the box....just a touch of Genius I'd say.
Brother this video will be 10000 thank yous if this is the same as my 2010 with a 4.0. as a diesel mechanic and always GM got my wife a newer used van starting to shift rough and I need to check trans fluid
Ironically I'm watching this video on a Friday 4 years later. Quite helpful though. I'm almost mad that I didn't think of that already.
thanks for the filing it bit. because i got an aftermarket checker and its very hard to tell where the actual fluid level is because most of the stick gets coated but its more coated where it went in the pan but this may help me get a better reading
I hate Monday's, but love this free tip.... Lol, Thanks for the info, excellent idea
Awesome video! I checked my transmission fluid with my oil dipstick, but didn't know the correct levels. Thnx!
Please, how many quartz of ATF4+ does the transmission take after a fluid change? With these marks as references, I added only 4 litres, while many guys mention 5.5 quarts. I just want to avoid over filling. Please help. Thanks
hey eric great tip !!!!!! I have had a lot of customers that ask . where the he'll is my trans dipstick ? and the did you forgot to put the dipstick back ? no lady it didn't come with one . then they look at me like I have 6 heads ...... thanks again Eric for all you do and teach .
love this tip changed my life for ever.....
Thank you for this. I have been wondering about that since I bought my 2010 T&C.
whoaaaaaaa there Eric-o.... Chrysler transmission never fail......... on a serious note dam good idea dude, stupid for sure the way they want fluids checked now a days
Try that on a VW auto! They have their own oddball methods of checking transmission fluid.
Some dealer mechanics can't be trusted. Sign says " mechanic on duty" that's not the one working on your car. I took my car to Musselman Dodge in Catonsville, MD and my car cut off after I got off the highway, the mechanic short-changed me on my engine oil and it has a dipstick to check the oil level. Of course they blamed me. That all happened after my tire almost flew off when I had my tires rotated because the mechanic only put 2 lug nuts on each tire instead of the 5. The other mechanics ran out of the shop when they heard the noise. Shame and sad.
Thanks so much!!
Just did a service on 2014 Dodge Journey…… thought it was one of the stupidest things for dodge to do ( not putting a dipstick for reference)
I WILL HAVE THE HOOD OPEN WITH THE GRINDER OUT AS WELL!! Tomorrow
This guy is a hero!