Checking Auto Box Oil

[blacknight]

What is the corect method for checking the automatic gearbox oil level and what colour should it be? I've got a 1996 Disco 300tdi auto.

The oil level always indicates high when I check on dip stick!

I think the engine/gearbox have to be at running temperature and think you check while the engine is running and on level ground. But, do you "dip" quickly so oil does not spatter all over the dipstick or am I wrong and there's some other method on checking the oil level.

Thought it should be redish in colour when new but mine looks a similar colour to used engine oil - does the oil, and the filter need changing and if so are there any implications in renewing oil and filter!!

Thanks

[ben_haynes]

to check the Auto box it should be on level ground, be in neutral, engine running and it does not need to be dipped quickly take your time you get a better more Accurate Reading (never had any "spatter" on dipstick),

it should be red in colour, if it is Black or a mucky red i would drain and refill, inc. Filter, no implications that i have ever encountered but i would drain it through a filter just to make sure there is no Mank causing the Oil to be Black

hope this helps

[karlo]

It should be dipped when cold,

Start engine-
take lever from Park to Drive
then to Neutral or Park
and dip the fluid

[SteveGoodz]

What is the corect method for checking the automatic gearbox oil level and what colour should it be? I've got a 1996 Disco 300tdi auto.

The oil level always indicates high when I check on dip stick!

I think the engine/gearbox have to be at running temperature and think you check while the engine is running and on level ground. But, do you "dip" quickly so oil does not spatter all over the dipstick or am I wrong and there's some other method on checking the oil level.

Thought it should be redish in colour when new but mine looks a similar colour to used engine oil - does the oil, and the filter need changing and if so are there any implications in renewing oil and filter!!

Thanks

To quote the owners handbook:

"Ensure the vehicle is resting on level ground the select 'P' (Park) and stert the engine. With the engine running at idle speed and both the foot brake and handbrake applied, move the selector lever to position '1' and then back to 'P'.

Withdraw the dipstick from the filler tube and wipe the blade clean. Reinsert the dipstick fully and withdraw again to check the level. Top-up to maintain the level between the two markings on the dipstick with fluid meeting ATF Delron II D specification"

The fluid should be s semi-transparent red colour ~ anything else suggests it's in need of a service.

HTH

[Range Rover Blues]

To quote the dipstick check in neautral when idling when cold

[SteveGoodz]

To quote the dipstick check in neautral when idling when cold

Mine doesn't have anything written on it ~ just the max and min marks.

The owners handbook for my (thankfully departed) 7 series Bimmer ~ same gearbox ~ gave the same instruction for checking the oil.

Perhaps it doesn't matter whether it's in N or P.

[Range Rover Blues]

I couldn't say whether it makes a difference or not TBH, I thnk the difference between P and N is the mechanical dog-brake that engages on the output shaft, so all the valves and servos will be in the same position in either gear.

[SteveGoodz]

I couldn't say whether it makes a difference or not TBH, I thnk the difference between P and N is the mechanical dog-brake that engages on the output shaft, so all the valves and servos will be in the same position in either gear.

That's kinda what I was wondering, but don't know enough about the innards of the auto box ... and would prefer not to get too personally acquainted with mine :D

[Range Rover Blues]

No, not a job I can be bothered to learn TBH, I'll try most things but I like to think it's my common sense telling me not to start on auto boxs