Transmission fluid level

[late49er]

hello everone,

recently I had my Honda dealer change my transmission fluid and when I got home it seemed to be low.

I took it back and the mechanic put a tad in and pronounced everything ok.

Now I am a bit confused. I drove the vehicle for a bit and checked the fluid and it still seems about at the low level marker. Then I waited about an hour and checked it and it seemed to be ok. Between the first and second marker.

I crawled under the car and nothing is leaking.

Am I being to anal but shouldn`t the fluid level be a the top of the second marker when you stop after driving a bit.


Thanks,

Late49er

[MinMet]

To check the ATF, warm up the car and park on a level ground. Turn off engine and check the level within two minutes. The fluid should be above the lower mark but not exceed the upper mark. Now, if you let it sit there for longer (more than couple minutes). The fluid in the transfer case will drain back to the ATF sump and the fluid will be way above the upper mark.
Most other cars' manufacture ask you to check the ATF level while in idle. Honda is one of the exception. However, can not be too long after shut off.

If you see the ATF level is below the lower mark right after you turn off the car (within couple minutes). Your are short of the fluid.

[jarizzo]

Originally posted by MinMet
To check the ATF, warm up the car and park on a level ground. Turn off engine and check the level within two minutes. The fluid should be above the lower mark but not exceed the upper mark. Now, if you let it sit there for longer (more than couple minutes). The fluid in the transfer case will drain back to the ATF sump and the fluid will be way above the upper mark.
Most other cars' manufacture ask you to check the ATF level while in idle. Honda is one of the exception. However, can not be too long after shut off.

If you see the ATF level is below the lower mark right after you turn off the car (within couple minutes). Your are short of the fluid.

I'll second that.

My only addition would be that on the newer Pilots (don't remember which year they started this), the transfer case is separated from the rest of it and has its own 80W-90 gear oil instead of using ATF. There may still be a leakdown phenomenon as MinMet says, but in that case it wouldn't be the transfer case. I have seen some cars where fluid leaks back into the pan through the solenoids. I'm not an expert or a mechanic, though. That's just an observation.

FWIW. Good luck.

John