Camaro, Corvette, Cadillac 6, 8, and 10 Speed Auto Trans Fluid Level Check - No Dipstick

See how to check the transmission fluid level on Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles with a 6, 8, or 10 Speed Automatic Transmission without a dipstick.

TIMELINE
0:00 Start
0:08 Introduction
1:33 The transmission oil pan and fluid level check plug
2:28 The standpipe tube in the pan sets the fluid level
5:08 6-speed transmission fluid temperature must be 86-122 degrees F (30-50 C)
5:27 8-speed transmission fluid temperature must be 131-149 degrees F (55-65 C)
5:40 (Track Mode) 8-speed transmission fluid temperature must be above 194 degrees F (90 C)
5:52 10-speed transmission fluid temperature must be 203-212 degrees F (95-100 C)
6:06 Consequences of incorrect temperature fluid level checking
8:53 Use the proper fluids
11:00 Preconditioning the transmission for level checking
11:15 Use a scan tool to monitor transmission fluid temperature
11:32 Warning about infrared thermometer tools
12:18 Start and idle the engine
12:22 Apply the brake and move gear selector through gear range for three seconds
12:41 Idle engine at 500-800 rpm for at least one minute
12:53 Raise vehicle on a level hoist
13:04 Monitor transmission fluid temperature
15:08 Under the car and the transmission fluid cooling pipes
16:45 Performing the on-car fluid level check procedure
18:36 It took 22 minutes of idling the engine to reach 131 degrees F od transmission fluid temperature
19:00 Removing the fluid level check plug
20:35 Slow drip is obtained
21:00 How to add fluid through the oil pan if the level was too low
22:34 My Bluepoint infrared thermometer read 100 degrees F when the scan tool read 140 degrees F
23:13 How to add fluid through the transmission case plug if the level was too low
25:33 Video Summary

ABOUT US:
Weber State University (WSU) - Department of Automotive Technology - Ardell Brown Technology Wing - Transmission Lab. This episode covers the fluid level checking procedure for the Camaro, Corvette, Cadillac 6, 8, and 10 Speed Automatic Transmissions without a dipstick. Checking the fluid levels of the GM Hydramatic 6L45, 6L50, 6L80, 6L90, 8L45, 8L90, and 10L90 transmissions are covered in this video.

This procedure is taught as part of our GM ASEP 2-year associated degree program. For more information on the Weber Automotive program and the GM ASEP program, visit: http://www.weber.edu/automotive

This video was created and edited by John D. Kelly at WSU. For a full biography, see http://www.weber.edu/automotive/J_Kel...

COMMENTARY:
As an automotive professor, I hear from a lot of people and students who have a negative reaction to this video and wonder why they took away the dipstick. Think about this: if a dipstick is so easy to use, you should be able to answer all of the following questions:
1. At what temperature is the "cold" mark accurate?
2. At what temperature is the "hot" mark accurate?
3. What temperature does the dipstick even refer to? Outside air? Coolant temperature? Transmission fluid temperature?
4. How will you measure that temperature?
5. If the fluid is within the cold mark area marks when it is "cold", is the fluid level okay?
6. if you live in a cold climate area like Alaska, is the "cold" level accurate there? What if you lived in a hot climate area like Central America, is their "cold" mark accurate?

If you cannot answer all of the previous questions, should you be using a dipstick?

Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, etc. all do the same thing. This is not just a GM thing. See my other three videos:    • Transmission Fluid Level Checking  

See my dipstick video for details on dipstick usage    • How to use a Transmission Dipstick  

QUESTIONS FOR TEACHERS:
1. Does the vehicle need to be parked on a level surface or an inclined surface?
2. Does the engine need to be running during the fluid level checking procedure?
3. If the engine must be running, at what engine rpm should the fluid level be checked?
4. If the engine must be running at a specified rpm, how will you verify the proper rpm?
5. If the engine must be off, are there any conditions that must be met before checking the fluid level?
6. Are there any procedures that must be met before checking the fluid level?
7. Does the transmission cooler have a bypass valve? If so, how does it affect the ATF fluid level?
8. At what temperature range should the fluid level be checked?
9. What temperature is being referred to in the previous question? Outside air? Coolant temperature? Transmission fluid temperature?
10. How should you measure that temperature?

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