ATF level always different?

[silviaz]

I let my Subaru impreza 2.0 ltr automatic 2001 sedan get to operating temperature (or I shouldn't be using this as a measure for the tranny?) and it was idling and was showing transmission fluid is low (apparently wasn't running for long enough), there are no leaks and when I drove it to the shop which took about 10 minutes or less, I checked a few times and the level seemed fine, but when I got home it was low. Seems like the reading is constantly different, I checked on another car I have at home and similar story.

I also put the car in neutral and hand break up.

Any ideas?

[GTSBoy]

Always do it on a level surface. The same level surface. The place where it was parked at the shops only has to be 1° sloping left, and the place at home 1° sloping right, to have a noticeable effect. Any more angle than that just compounds the deviation.

[silviaz]

2 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

Always do it on a level surface. The same level surface. The place where it was parked at the shops only has to be 1° sloping left, and the place at home 1° sloping right, to have a noticeable effect. Any more angle than that just compounds the deviation.

I did on my driveway should be straight. I got some photos here: With picture 3, I might have held it upside down so keep that in mind but generally it's showing as image 1-2, and you can see some red fluid towards the full line.

[Murray_Calavera]

I've got a 2013 Impreza so not 100% sure if this will help you out. I've attached the workshop manual for my Impreza here.

I used a cheapy OBD2 bluetooth scanner and a phone app to check the gearbox oil temp the last time I changed the oil. 

 

[silviaz]

44 minutes ago, Murray_Calavera said:

I've got a 2013 Impreza so not 100% sure if this will help you out. I've attached the workshop manual for my Impreza here.

I used a cheapy OBD2 bluetooth scanner and a phone app to check the gearbox oil temp the last time I changed the oil. 

 

Cheers.

[silviaz]

10 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

Always do it on a level surface. The same level surface. The place where it was parked at the shops only has to be 1° sloping left, and the place at home 1° sloping right, to have a noticeable effect. Any more angle than that just compounds the deviation.

I just re-read what you wrote and see what you mean, because at the shop there probably was a slight tilt.

[The Bogan]

Operating temp for trans fluid is about 80-90° C I believe, this is the temp for hot check

I always take my slushbox for a at least a 15 minute drive to do the hot check

You typically can see the change in oil height on the dipstick between "cold", "running but not at operating temp", and "operating temp (hot)"

Actually reading the dipstick correctly can sometimes be an issue due to splash

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/89

 

Disclaimer: I may be talking apples and oranges, my slushbox is a 4l60e in a commodore, but I assume they would be similar 

[joshuaho96]

Reading an automatic transmission oil level requires a special procedure. Temperature has to be correct and sometimes it must be done with the engine running.