How to Check the Transmission Fluid Level in a Dodge Caliber
by Jule Pamplin
The transmission fluid in the Dodge Caliber is responsible for maintaining the proper function of the vehicle's transmission. The automatic transmission changes gears based on the speed of the vehicle and the strain on the engine, represented in RPMs (revolutions per minute). The transmission regulates the RPMs by switching to a higher gear to keep the RPMs low at higher vehicle speeds, while switching to a lower gear while driving slowly for better power and efficiency. Having an insufficient amount of transmission fluid will impede the operation of the transmission and can lead to damage of the component and a degraded driving experience.
Step 1
Drive the Caliber for 10 minutes or allow the engine to idle for 20 minutes. Park the vehicle on a level surface for an accurate reading. Open the hood and move to the engine compartment with the engine still running.
Step 2
Remove the transmission fluid level indicator (dipstick) from the slot on the right side of the engine. The dipstick is located mid-way between the front and rear of the engine compartment. The handle of the dipstick is labeled "ATF" for automatic transmission fluid.
Step 3
Wipe the dipstick clean with a paper or cloth towel. Slide the indicator back into the transmission fluid reservoir.
Step 4
Pull the dipstick from the reservoir and read the transmission fluid level on the stick. There are two lines and a cross-scored section of shading toward the end of the dipstick. A fluid reading in the shaded area indicates that the Caliber is in need of transmission fluid. Fluid levels indicated by the lower line denote that the fluid is at the lowest acceptable level (the cold line--for when the engine has not been running). The uppermost line is the full line.
Step 5
Replenish the fluid as needed using Dodge automatic transmission fluid. Use a funnel to pour the fluid into the slot from which the dipstick was pulled.
References
Things You'll Need
- Paper or cloth towel
- Funnel
- Transmission fluid.
Writer Bio
Jule Pamplin has been a copywriter for more than seven years. As a financial sales consultant, Pamplin produced sales copy for two of the largest banks in the United States. He attended Carnegie-Mellon University, winning a meritorious scholarship for the Careers in Applied Science and Technology program, and later served in the 1st Tank Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps.
