Ok this is a question about checking the tranny dipstick to make sure you have the proper level of transmission fluid. I took mine out and noticed that only the very tip had a thick amount of fluid on it, meaning it was nice and dark and easy to see it was there. However above that(as you go up into the cold and hot marks, there didn't seem to be a lot of fluid... it was kinda wet, but then again the whole entire dipstick is kind of wet.

So basically it seems only the very tip of the dipstick has thick fluid on it and then it starts to get very light and hard to tell if there is fluid on it as you go higher. So I'm guessing I need to add more. But like I said... it does look wet, just not dark or thick at all like on the tip. Kind of like it starts turning clear as it nears the cold/hot range. So my question is, should the fluid on the cold/hot range of the stick be the same color/thickness as the very tip of the stick? I just wanna make sure I don't overfill it.

Oh and before you might ask me, I did drive it around for awhile and shift through all the gears before checking the fluid. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

 

it really shouldn't ever be dark. sounds like its been a bit burned... maybe time for a drain and fill
-M

 

Let me clear that up, It's not dark like black, it's light brownish... and new fluid is kinda reddish which I consider "dark" too. I tried dipping the dipstick into a bottle of new tranny fluid and noticed that the fluid did indeed turn the whole stick "dark" and easily readable... But when I check the fluid in my car only the tip is "dark" and then it starts turning real light as you look further up so perhaps I should just add more.

 

when you check the fluid, pull the dipstick out and immediately turn it sideways... look at the highest point on the stick that's got oil on it, NOT the part that's dripping wet. as soon as you pull the stick out, the oil will run down the stick and glob up on the end, but that doesn't mean it's low.

 

ah... i see. well if the transmission fluid has been denatured, the viscosity will suffer as well, leading to much 'runnier' fluid. that could very well cause the quick run-down off the dipstick.
so you say the fluid from the new bottle doesn't run so much? same brand?
i still think the fluid sounds a bit worn out. it never hurts to drain and fill when in doubt... and its pretty cheap.
-M