Checking your transmission fluid is crucial for the health of your 2013 Chrysler. While a scan tool can provide detailed diagnostic information, understanding the basics of manual fluid level checks and temperature considerations is essential. This guide will walk you through how to accurately check your transmission fluid and explain how temperature affects shifting performance.
Checking Your Transmission Fluid: Hot vs. Cold
Accurately checking your 2013 Chrysler’s transmission fluid requires understanding the difference between “hot” and “cold” readings. Your dipstick will have markings for both.
Cold Check: With the engine cold, start it and let it run for a minute or two. Then, with the engine still running, check the fluid level against the “cold” range marked on the dipstick.
Hot Check: Drive your vehicle for at least 15 minutes to ensure the transmission fluid reaches operating temperature. With the engine still running, check the fluid level against the “hot” range on the dipstick. It’s important to note that transmission fluid warms up slower than engine coolant, often taking 5-10 minutes longer. Insufficient warm-up time can lead to inaccurate readings and potential overfilling.
Engine Off: When the engine is cold and off, the fluid level will often be near the notch on the dipstick. This allows for a quick check for significant fluid loss. Remember, a slightly low fluid level is preferable to overfilling.
Transmission Temperature and Shifting Performance
Your 2013 Chrysler’s transmission behavior is directly influenced by the fluid temperature. Below are some key temperature ranges and their corresponding effects:
Extreme Cold (Below -16°F): Only Park, Neutral, Reverse, 1st, and 3rd gears are available.
Super Cold (-12°F to 10°F): Shifts between 2nd and 3rd, and 3rd and 4th gears are delayed. Downshifts occur earlier. High-speed kickdowns are prevented.
Cold (10°F to 36°F): The transmission shifts at higher throttle openings. High-speed kickdowns are still prevented. No torque converter lockup occurs in these cold ranges.
Warm (Above 40°F): Normal upshifts and downshifts are allowed, but the torque converter remains unlocked.
Hot/Normal (80°F and Above): The transmission operates normally, including torque converter lockup above approximately 22 mph.
Conclusion
Understanding how to accurately check your transmission fluid and how temperature affects shifting performance is vital for maintaining your 2013 Chrysler. While a scan tool provides in-depth diagnostics, knowing these fundamental principles will empower you to perform basic checks and understand the overall health of your transmission. Consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your model.
