How to Read a Dip Stick? HELP!

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 7:21 pm

I have a '07 Liberty that did not come with a factory transmission dip stick. I bought the "measuring gauge" that the dealerships are using made by Miller Special Tools. However, I'm not smart enough to know how to read it. Please help if you have any suggestions. You can see the dip stick on my blog by clicking here. http://dieselenthusiast.blogspot.com/ or on the www in my signature. Post any thoughts here on this thread. Thanks!
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 are marked into the dip stick. The hole in the dip stick in right under the 70 mark. The 10 mark is in the twist at the end of the dip stick. The 80 mark is below the plastic point. There is a round concave circle in the middle of the plastic with a 1 etched above the round concave circle. I have no clue how to read this dip stick. Any ideas?

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 7:27 pm

The picture of the dipstick might be of more use if it wasn't so blurry. Could you take another photo of it that is clearer?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 9:05 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

The picture of the dipstick might be of more use if it wasn't so blurry. Could you take another photo of it that is clearer?

Try this photo, it's a little better.

You still can't see the hash marks and numbers. They are difficult to read as is and that much harder to capture on camera.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 9:12 pm

You need to lay the dip stick something so tha camera can focus. Use Macro if the camera has it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 9:30 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

You need to lay the dip stick something so tha camera can focus. Use Macro if the camera has it.

Finally, after taking a dozen photos with different lighting and backgrounds, I got one that you can read.

Click on the photo and you can get a good view of the dip stick and the numbers.

07Latitude · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 11:03 pm

I would guess the "hole" is either an add or full mark, as on other dipsticks I've seen. How much was this dipstick? I'm looking into one for my 07 since I have recurring transmission problems.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 11:07 pm

07Latitude wrote:

I would guess the "hole" is either an add or full mark, as on other dipsticks I've seen. How much was this dipstick? I'm looking into one for my 07 since I have recurring transmission problems.

Miller Special Tools
1800-801-5420
www.miller.spx.com
Part #9336
Cost $66.47
Shipped UPS directly to your door.

Donkeykong · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 11:13 pm

I can't tell a thing from the website.... I would try contacting them (along with some other users) and ask for a .pdf instruction manual for it.

I hope to never own an automatic, especially if you are driving a new 2007 and are already having transmission problems...
-Mark

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 11:18 pm

I would say, change your oil and filter - make sure to add exactly 5 quarts back in, and see what your stick measures at. That should be full, assuming you have the 3.7. Not sure how much oil the CRD takes.

edit: Oh, TRANSMISSION dipstick! Doh! uhh, just ignore the old guy that's had too many beers tonight. :oops:

07Latitude · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 11:52 pm

Hmm.....what makes this so different that an 06 dipstick cannot be used? Filler tube is in an identical location. Transmission is the same to my knowledge. Only real drivetrain change was electronic throttle control.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 12:27 am

07Latitude wrote:

Hmm.....what makes this so different that an 06 dipstick cannot be used? Filler tube is in an identical location. Transmission is the same to my knowledge. Only real drivetrain change was electronic throttle control.

To my knowledge there isn’t any difference. Several automakers have decided to drop the transmission dip stick due to their so called “long interval” oil change. Very few auto owners change their own transmission oil, plus it keeps customers coming back to the dealership to have their service done. It saves production parts, saves money, and brings in the business. I’ve heard dealerships say that they make more money from the service department than from their auto sales. Fact or Myth, I do not know.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 12:41 am

Dje Ryu wrote:

I would say, change your oil and filter - make sure to add exactly 5 quarts back in, and see what your stick measures at. That should be full, assuming you have the 3.7. Not sure how much oil the CRD takes.

edit: Oh, TRANSMISSION dipstick! Doh! uhh, just ignore the old guy that's had too many beers tonight. :oops:

No problem, but you had me confused for a while

07Latitude · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 10:44 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

07Latitude wrote:

Hmm.....what makes this so different that an 06 dipstick cannot be used? Filler tube is in an identical location. Transmission is the same to my knowledge. Only real drivetrain change was electronic throttle control.

To my knowledge there isn’t any difference. Several automakers have decided to drop the transmission dip stick due to their so called “long interval” oil change. Very few auto owners change their own transmission oil, plus it keeps customers coming back to the dealership to have their service done. It saves production parts, saves money, and brings in the business. I’ve heard dealerships say that they make more money from the service department than from their auto sales. Fact or Myth, I do not know.

If thats the case, then why did you buy the sixty-some dollar part? I thought I read on here the 06 dipstick is some 15 bucks or less. I'm just curious as to why there is some "special tool" for the dealers if everything is the same. SOMETHING must have changed for them to order a new part, rather than use a standard dipstick, but from what I've seen, my trans filler is in the same spot as the girlfriend's 06.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 11:16 am

Latitude: You're already having transmission problems on a 2007?
What kind of problems?

Hope someone figures out what dipstick we need, because I would like the ability to check my own fluids especially after getting the transmission serviced. They have been known to forget a quart now & then.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 12:00 pm

I'm guessing that they made the dipstick to be 'universal' - so shops only need 1 special tool for several transmission types.

Therefore you need a Factory Service Manual to tell you which one of the marks is right for your transmission.

Just a guess

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 12:34 pm

AHHH......Right down my alley.Well I've got one of these "Tools".....It is a measuring device to measure the amount of transmission fluid in the pan by way of temperature,rather than liquid measurement.One tip should have clued everyone was that when you check the fluid with a conventional stick there are lower marks,(or cold level),and upper marks(warm or hot level).As the fluid heats up it expands to the upper levels.You can convert Fahrenheit to celsius by subtracting 32 from the total temp....divide that by 9.....then multiply that by 5.This tool uses the Celsius scale and measures by temp. to be more accurate.Having said all that,the hole in the tool showing 70 celsius should be a little less than engine temp.......and the hole is the full level,idling in park with transmission at operating temp.

Ron

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue May 08, 2007 11:02 pm

07Latitude wrote:

If thats the case, then why did you buy the sixty-some dollar part? I thought I read on here the 06 dipstick is some 15 bucks or less. I'm just curious as to why there is some "special tool" for the dealers if everything is the same. SOMETHING must have changed for them to order a new part, rather than use a standard dipstick, but from what I've seen, my trans filler is in the same spot as the girlfriend's 06.

The service department told me that the new universal measuring tool is a more accurate way to measure the fluid level. There are too many Liberty’s rolling into the dealership with too much added fluid because more and more people are having a hard time understanding how to check and read a dip stick. :shock:

With the longer 60,000 mile trany intervals (Schedule B), and a much longer mile trany interval (Schedule A), there is really no reason to check the transmission fluid if you regularly have your KJ inspected and maintained. Plus there are many makes and models who are using the 42RLE besides our KJ. In my scenario, I had the trany cracked open at 1,700 miles for the installation of a shift kit. :wink:

There was approximately 5 quarts of trany fluid lost that I later topped off with AMSOIL. I plan to change the trany fluid completely over to Amsoil at 20,000 miles. I figured the “measuring tool” might be a little more accurate, and I wasn’t sure that the previous dip sticks would fit the same (the '07 has a plug that threads on). So to finish answering your question, I figured the special tool would be nice to have. It rolls up nicely and fits in my Tool/Supply Box that I keep in the Jeep at all times. It cost more, but it’s what I wanted.

07Latitude · **Posted:** Thu May 10, 2007 12:45 pm

JohnnyCash wrote:

Latitude: You're already having transmission problems on a 2007?
What kind of problems?

Search my posts on here so I don't hijack the thread. In summary, shifting problems, slipping, cable misalignment, and I've only just now hit 5300 miles. :roll:

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

try holding it next to a normal dipstick and compare?

07Latitude · **Posted:** Thu May 10, 2007 2:19 pm

jcphoto20 wrote:

try holding it next to a normal dipstick and compare?

I don't think he can do that, as he just mentioned he is unsure if the 07 dipstick is the same as an 06.

How to Read a Dip Stick? HELP!

Who is online