Transmission dipstick?
02-21-2010, 11:24 PM
#11
Just another member
Interestingly enough, Ford refers to this hard to find and reach "dipstick" as the "transmission fluid level indicator" in the workshop manual.
Of course, it is found in the "transmission fluid fill plug."
No need to check. One less thing to worry about, I say.
Of course, it is found in the "transmission fluid fill plug."
No need to check. One less thing to worry about, I say.
02-22-2010, 01:28 AM
#12
Senior Member
Not to quibble with you on the definition of "dipstick" (I've been called one myself, and I don't think they were calling me a way to check fluid levels 
) But to me a dipstick is something the owner can easily access from the engine compartment to check the fluid level with nothing else but a rag.
If you have to crawl up under the truck with a wrench, then to me that's not a dipstick, and FoMoCo apparently agrees with that, since the owner's manual says there isn't one.
) But to me a dipstick is something the owner can easily access from the engine compartment to check the fluid level with nothing else but a rag.If you have to crawl up under the truck with a wrench, then to me that's not a dipstick, and FoMoCo apparently agrees with that, since the owner's manual says there isn't one.
However, I was told there was no way to check the level. So it's half and half. I'll be sure to check it out when I get home Thursday.
02-22-2010, 09:32 AM
#13
If you change your own transmission filter and fluid as i have most of my life, it is essential to know when the tranny is full. I might not own this truck long enough to change the tranny fluid, but i certainly have in the past!
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02-22-2010, 09:48 AM
#14
only time I had to add trans fluid is one day, the boss pulled his truck into the shop & asked me to change his oil. So, I got everything out, rolled under the truck (pass side, from the middle) & pulled the drainplug...
except it wasn't for the oilpan! I was watching & went "hey, oil isn't red!" lost less than a quart. felt like a moron. boss wasn't mad but was wondering how I got it mixed up. "At least you were smart enough to catch it in time."
except it wasn't for the oilpan! I was watching & went "hey, oil isn't red!" lost less than a quart. felt like a moron. boss wasn't mad but was wondering how I got it mixed up. "At least you were smart enough to catch it in time."
02-22-2010, 10:43 AM
#15
I guess I am different than everyone else here, young, but more old fashioned. I prefer to have a trans dipstick. I like to service the transmission on my own truck. When It runs out of warranty, I prefer to be able to check it myself. I had a transmission get water in it one time, with out the dipstick I would have never known it happened.
Seems like car manufactures are making cars less likely to be able to work on your own damn car at home yourself. I don't like paying someone (now will be a stearlership) to do simple repairs that can be done myself, would rather use the cash for mods for my truck or motorcycle. It's much cheaper for me to complete repairs myself.
Seems like car manufactures are making cars less likely to be able to work on your own damn car at home yourself. I don't like paying someone (now will be a stearlership) to do simple repairs that can be done myself, would rather use the cash for mods for my truck or motorcycle. It's much cheaper for me to complete repairs myself.
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02-22-2010, 10:48 AM
#16
Just another member
You can still do this work yourself if you feel you must. Just need to get at the dipstick differently and with more difficulty. But if you feel that strongly about it, you can do it.
02-22-2010, 01:10 PM
#17
I guess If I buy a new F150, I'll go with the 4-speed transmission for simplicity. Sad thing is, these new trucks seem to be nothing more than road jewelry for the highway. Just to impress, Nothing more. Went to the dealer to look at the trucks yesterday, and found 75% were Lariat and platinum 4x2 trucks, about 20% were XLT and a very miniscule amount of XL, which none were 4x4. What happened to XL 4x4 trucks? No one carries them anymore
02-22-2010, 01:14 PM
#18
Just another member
Plenty of guys have 4x4 XL, XLT etc and we use them for work etc.
They are not how you describe them - they are great trucks.
You best go look at other dealers, you will see.
The world has moved on.
Good luck, thanks.
They are not how you describe them - they are great trucks.
You best go look at other dealers, you will see.
The world has moved on.
Good luck, thanks.
02-22-2010, 01:51 PM
#19
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I'm going to guess that Ford engineers at some point determined that the most likely cause of contaminated transmission fluid was contaminants introduced by car/truck owners checking their transmission fluid level. Hence, the death of the trans fluid dipstick.
I doubt that the absence or presence of the dipstick has much effect on whether or not someone goes to the dealer to have the transmission fluid changed, so I have a hard time believing this was done just to help service departments get more business.
I doubt that the absence or presence of the dipstick has much effect on whether or not someone goes to the dealer to have the transmission fluid changed, so I have a hard time believing this was done just to help service departments get more business.
02-22-2010, 03:15 PM
#20
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I guess If I buy a new F150, I'll go with the 4-speed transmission for simplicity. Sad thing is, these new trucks seem to be nothing more than road jewelry for the highway. Just to impress, Nothing more. Went to the dealer to look at the trucks yesterday, and found 75% were Lariat and platinum 4x2 trucks, about 20% were XLT and a very miniscule amount of XL, which none were 4x4. What happened to XL 4x4 trucks? No one carries them anymore
BTW, if the dealer does not have what you want, have them order it, carpet delete and all...
