Chrysler special dipstick tool?!?

[TwoInch]

...If you think "lifetime fill" coolant and transmission and differential fluid, and 15,000 mile oil changes, will ever get you to 200,000 miles (or anywhere past 100,000 miles, for that matter), you're dreaming...

i am rolling over 200k this week or next on 12-15,000 intervals. i know many vehicles that have run full vehicle life(200k+) on stock manual trans and differential oil. autos are a different story.

do i think its a good idea for people to never change gear oils? not at all. but as long as the levels are kept up, and there is no water contamination, gear oils will live a very long life. if these engineers get the products sealed up well, they very well can run 200k with out maintenance.

none of this helps us that would like to do everything we can to ensure the longest life out of our vehicles, and make sure we have good quality, uncontaminated lubricants in our trans/diffs.

as for car manufacturers wanting cars to not last, i disagree. i dont believe any manufacturer wants to be known for making cars that DO NOT last.

 

[MattPersman]

my mech has the trans dipstick for my Sprinters. He also keeps the red plastic keeper that breaks off. When he checks the trans oil, he also checks the temp and the resistance as per the factory specs.

Did you know there are 2 dipsticks for the engine? The red dipstick is for non-fleet vans. You change oil, 9.5 quarts approximatly. Run the engine for 15 minutes, shut the engine off for 5 minutes and check the oil level again. The other color is for fleet vans. Put in approx 9.5 quarts of oil and run hte engine 15 minutes. Shut off hte engine and check the oil level. Why MB did not use a single dipstick is beyond me.

the red one you check HOT, the yellow one you check cold *I am a sprinter tech*

 

[honcho]

I'd love to talk to the decision makers at an auto company to find out why they leave out dipsticks but I'll guess it's a several factors, some of which have already been pointed out.

1. Drive service back to the dealerships. Yes, dealers would get more service but since it's no secret how to check the fluid levels, independent service shops are likely to get more business too.

2. Weight. Nobody mentioned this but eliminating the dipstick and tube saves a few ounces and while it seems insignificant in the total weight, every ounce does count

3. Reality of owner maintenance. How many owners regularly check their fluid levels, especially transmission fluid? Not too many.

4. Cost. Yep, deleting that dipstick saves a few pennies on the stick, the tube, the cap, the little bracket that braces the tube. The logistics of making it, having it in the factory to be installed, stocking spare parts. Give them beancounters some credit!

5. Improved fluids, designs and construction. Ok, the manufacturers lifetime isn't really forever--it's just their design criteria of 150-200k miles (maybe more, I don't know). Manufacturers want to build reliable and low maintenance vehicles but they really don't want them to last forever, otherwise they will not sell more new cars.

I'm sure there are other factors I and the other respondents have missed but, I still want a dipstick for my cars and trucks.

 

[juiced10]

4. Cost. Yep, deleting that dipstick saves a few pennies on the stick, the tube, the cap, the little bracket that braces the tube. The logistics of making it, having it in the factory to be installed, stocking spare parts. Give them beancounters some credit!

The tube,cap and bracket are all there. Just the stick part is missing. I had a guy drop off his Toyota Camry off for a slipping ******. First thing I did was check fluid level and it was to the top of the dipstick. Must be even with a dipstick he could not get it right?

 

[Jawn]

Same one that can't work a third pedal!

Ohhh yeah!

 

[mopar01]

Lol noticed sombody brought up a zf transmission. I know this is about dip sicks but just want to say rebuilding the zf 6 speed in the superdutys *****!!!

 

[bgott]

I was talking to a friend of mine this morning about this thread and he pulled out his MB dipstick. He mentioned something to think about when using those sticks. Don't shove them in too hard, the flat plastic measuring section will slide through the tube and all the way into the pan, then you have to pull the pan to get it out. I didn't even bother asking, I just busted up!

 

[taterdog]

you can use a long zip tie to just touch the bottom of the pan, then measure your fluid, BUT, you have to have a scanner capable of reading transmission temp in order to get the correct level

its good you posted the chart. i worked for a chrysler dealership for 3 months. that sucked to check. so time intensive to do it right.

 

[d_rock]

its good you posted the chart. i worked for a chrysler dealership for 3 months. that sucked to check. so time intensive to do it right.

I agree.....its a bi&%$