Checking trans fluid level?

[jimmyducati]

Stupid question.. I've always checked trans fluid level with the engine running and the grand in park, but to do that with the SHO, the airbox has to be removed. Should I start the car with the airbox removed (stupid imo) or are our cars designed to be checked with the engine off?

I assume the trans fluid should be up to temp as well.

[StealBlueSho]

There is a special call out in the owners manual for the SHO transmission fluid check.

[ZSHO]

[6F50/6F55 Transmission]
I would fill it up a hair above the top fill line for good measures.  Z

WARNING: The dipstick cap and surrounding components may
be hot; gloves are recommended.
WARNING: Use gloves when moving the air filter assembly;
components will be hot.
Note: Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up (approximately
20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a trailer,
the vehicle should be turned off until normal operating temperatures are
reached to allow the fluid to cool before checking. Depending on vehicle
use, cooling times could take up to 30 minutes or longer.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance information for scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.

1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow a minimum of 10 seconds for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lintfree rag.
If necessary, refer to Under hood overview in this chapter for the
location of the dipstick. (For vehicles with the EcoBoost engine,
move the air filter assembly aside to access the transmission dipstick.
See Moving the Air Filter Assembly (EcoBoost engine) for more
information.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube by
turning it to the locked position.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature. 

[derfdog15]

Think Z and StealBlue got ya covered but basically drive it to get it all to temp, then stop, and cut it off, remove airbox, check fluid, re-assemble/do whatever is needed at that point.

[jimmyducati]

Ive seen the "special instructions" for SHO owners, but it specifies in the body of the instructions to leave the engine running and vehicle in park... Nowhere does it say anything about turning off the engine for the SHO only that the airbox has to be removed. I don't like the idea of having the engine sucking dirty air while I check the trans fluid... Again, another crap Ford design.

[AJP turbo]

I wouldnt say a bad design....a minute of running with no air filter isnt a big deal...but you dont do that anyway...just move the airbox to the side and unclip the iat sensor

Even if tou change the fluid every 50k maybe you are checking at half that interval so that would be checking the fluid once or twice a year?...not that much work...since the fluid was probably meant to be a 100k fluid , easy access is not as important

Alot of new BMW cars didnt even have an oil dipstick!!!....bad design?honestly i bet 9 of 10 people dont belong under the hood....most of us here are the exception but car forums tend to be....and some audis require a special tool that is a standpipe that gets inserted into the trans pan from below the car and thats how the proper level is filled

[pmezo33]

I just remove the airbox from the car and reinstall it upside down.  This gives you access to the trans dipstick while with the airbox still installed on the car and you can check it while the car is running.

[jimmyducati]

Ok Ok, maybe I was a bit quick in criticizing the design.. Checked it, in park with the motor running it is half way between the min and max, right in the middle of the cross hatching. Should be good.

[StealBlueSho]

Ok Ok, maybe I was a bit quick in criticizing the design.. Checked it, in park with the motor running it is half way between the min and max, right in the middle of the cross hatching. Should be good.

It should be at max when properly warmed up.

[Colorado-SHOBro]

Ok Ok, maybe I was a bit quick in criticizing the design.. Checked it, in park with the motor running it is half way between the min and max, right in the middle of the cross hatching. Should be good.

FWIW the few times i've checked mine i take off the airbox and leave it running. not like you driving down the road sucking in debris. if you're paranoid about it just buy a sheet of some filter media and rubberband it around the opening. and if i were you i'd top it off til it's all the way full.

my .02


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[StealBlueSho]

Ok Ok, maybe I was a bit quick in criticizing the design.. Checked it, in park with the motor running it is half way between the min and max, right in the middle of the cross hatching. Should be good.

FWIW the few times i've checked mine i take off the airbox and leave it running. not like you driving down the road sucking in debris. if you're paranoid about it just buy a sheet of some filter media and rubberband it around the opening. and if i were you i'd top it off til it's all the way full.

my .02


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Careful of the filter and rubber band methods... had a buddy suck the filer into his intake manifold that....