Can You Add Transmission Fluid Through Dipstick? (Answered)

Transmission fuel is crucial for any engine. It helps to run the engine properly. This is much more important for vehicles than any other thing. Transmission fluid has to be changed after driving your car for some time.

You may ask if you can add transmission fluid through the dipstick. Let us help you understand that and provide you with some necessary information regarding it as well.

Can you add transmission fluid through the dipstick?

You can add transmission fluid through the dipstick. Most vehicles come with a dipstick and this is the only way to fill the engine. You will have to use a special funnel to fill the transmission fluid. But modern cars do not come with a dipstick. Therefore, you will have to add one additionally.

Every engine requires transmission fluid. Moreover, this transmission fluid helps in changing the gears in the engine so that it can run at a certain speed whenever required. You can reduce and increase the speed based on your needs and drive your car properly through the transmission.

Transmission fluid is necessary to change gears. You have to change this fluid after driving for a certain distance according to the manufacturer of your vehicle. You can either change it by yourself or you can take the help of an experienced mechanic to change the transmission fluid.

To change the transmission fluid, you will have to use the hole of the dipstick. This is the only way to pour the transmission fluid into the transmission of the vehicle after you get out the old fluids. 

Moreover, by using the dipstick you can check the level of the transmission fluid available in the vehicle as well.

Although old vehicles come with dipsticks, modern and new ones do not come with a dipstick. The transmission comes in a sealed state. Therefore, there is no way to change the transmission fluid. 

If you have to change it, you will need to break the seal and attach a dipstick separately to change the transmission fluid.

The reasons why you have to add transmission fluid are many. The most common reasons are if the level of the transmission fluid in the transmission falls due to a leak or failure, due to driving for a long time, engine problem, and many more. 

This will cause problems in changing the gear for higher speeds.

Is there a dipstick for transmission fluid?

Yes, there is a dipstick for transmission fluid. Dipsticks are usually situated in the engine. There is a dedicated hole for using a dipstick. Dipsticks are necessary for checking the level of transmission fluid available in the transmission.

You will find the dipstick in the engine near the transmission system. It will have a hook-like cap attached to it. Opening the cap, you will find that the dipstick is attached to the cap. When you get the cap and stick it out fully, you can see that there is a hole to pour transmission fluid in it.

Most old vehicles have this. But some new and modern vehicles do not come with a dipstick. The transmission of some modern vehicles comes fully sealed. No one can change the transmission fluid unless you break the seal of the transmission. 

After you break it, you can use a dipstick externally.

How to add transmission fluid through dipstick?

There are many ways that you can follow to add transmission fluid through the dipstick. Here are simple steps that we think can help you add transmission fluid through dipstick in a proper manner:

Warm the engine & cycle through all the gears while warming:

You will have to warm the engine before you fill the transmission fluid. This helps a lot in adding the transmission fluid. Cycle through all the gears as well so that all the fluid available in the transmission is properly distributed.

Put it in parking and keep the engine idling:

Put the vehicle in parking so that the vehicle stays in its place. But do not turn off the car. Keep the car running even after you put it in the parking state. This is crucial.

Open the engine hood and identify the transmission dipstick:

Open the engine hood afterward. Find out the transmission dipstick. Open the dipstick lid so access the dipstick hole.

Check the owner manual of the car and find the correct transmission fluid:

Go through the owner’s manual for the right transmission fluid for your vehicle. It is important to find the right transmission fluid. If you use the wrong fluid, it will cause problems in your transmission.

Place the funnel in the dipstick hole and pour the transmission fluid slowly:

Place the special funnel at the head of the hole. Pour the transmission fluid that you bought for your engine. Pour it slowly. Be cautious about overfilling it.

Cycle through all the gears:

When you see that the transmission is filled properly with the fluid, get back in the driver’s seat and cycle through all the gears a few times. This will help the new fluid to properly get in the gears. 

Also, you can also check if your transmission needs any more fluid as well.

Check the level after cleaning the dipstick and seat it back:

Check the final level. Make sure that you have not overfilled it. After checking, close the lid by putting back the dipstick. Seat it properly and make sure that it is properly closed.

Where should the transmission fluid level be on the dipstick?

The transmission fluid level should be on the end of the dipstick. This means that the levels will be just at the tip of the stick where the stick usually stays in the transmission fluid area. There will be multiple levels to determine the level of transmission fluid.

Most cars have an indication at the dipstick where it says full. If the transmission fluid is way too below the full line, you will have to fill the transmission with the appropriate transmission fluid. But keep in mind that the level should not go above the full line.

How to check transmission fluid with dipstick?

There are many ways to check the transmission fluid with a dipstick. Here are some simple steps that you can maintain to check the level of transmission fluid in your vehicle with a dipstick:

Start your car and cycle through all the gears without driving:

Start the engine of your car. While running the car, cycle through all the gears. You have to cycle through parking and overdrive as well. But do not drive the car while you are doing this.

Open the hood and find the transmission dipstick:

Open the hood after you cycle through all the gears of your car. Find the transmission dipstick of your car. It will be at the top of your engine block with a lid on top of it.

Pull the dipstick out and clean it using a rug:

Unscrew the dipstick and pull it out of the dipstick hole. Use a rag and clean the stick properly. This is mandatory to get a correct reading.

Put the dipstick back in and lift it out to check the current reading:

Put the dipstick back in after you clean it. Take it back out again and check the reading at the tip of the transmission fluid reading levels. If the transmission fluid level is lower than the recommended level, you will need to pour in more fluid.

How to add transmission fluid without dipstick?

Modern vehicles these days do not come with a dipstick. Therefore, you may ask how to add transmission fluid to them. Here are some simple steps that you can follow to add transmission fluid without a dipstick:

Lift the car from the ground using a car lifter:

Use a car lifter to lift the car from the ground. Usually, you will have to lift the front part of the car where the engine is situated. Turn the wheels left and right to gain access to the sides.

Find the level plug and open it:

You will find a level plug at the left of the right-wheel interior space. Open it using a wrench. It will require some force to open it as it is a small bolt.

Pour in the transmission fluid and put the screw on after filling:

Use the special funnel in the hole and pour the transmission fuel into the plughole. Fill it until you can see that the hole is almost filled transmission fluid is seeping through the hole. Close the hole using the screw.

Final Thoughts

You can add transmission fluid using a dipstick. It is easy to pour transmission fluid when there is a dipstick in the engine. You can check the level of the transmission fluid in the engine easily and fill the transmission with the necessary amount of correct transmission fluid.