Where is the transmission dipstick on a dodge caravan

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Checking and adding transmission fluid can be a very important part of your car's maintenance regime. Keeping it topped off and making sure it is not dirty can keep your transmission running for longer. Many people rely on mechanics to perform this service, but if you would like to save money, it is one of the easier procedures to perform yourself.

Checking and Adding Transmission Fluid

Step 1

Make sure your car is on level ground. Put the car in park and turn on the engine. Let the engine idle for a couple of minutes.

Step 2

Open the hood. Locate the transmission dipstick, which is found on the passenger's side near the back. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with the rag. Insert the dipstick again and pull it out. Check the level. There are two gauges, one each for hot and cold engines. If you just started the vehicle you will want to make sure the fluid is in line with the cold mark, and if the car has been running for awhile, the hot mark.

Step 3

If the fluid is low, it is time to add some more to bring it up to the proper level. Remove the dipstick and put it off to the side. Add a small amount of ATF PLUS 3 Type 7176 fluid into the dipstick tube. Let it settle for about five minutes and then check again. Do this until the desired level is reached.

Step 4

When checking the level also check for the color and transparency of the fluid. It should have a reddish color and be clear. If the fluid is dark brown or black and hard to see through then it is time for a change.

References

Tips

• Use only the proper transmission fluid for your vehicle. For a Dodge Caravan it should be ATF PLUS 3 Type 7176.
• If the fluid is dark and dirty it should be changed.

Things You'll Need

• Clean rag
• ATF PLUS 3 Type 7176 transmission fluid

Writer Bio

Benjamin Poepsel started writing for online publications in 2009. He has served as editor for many different science publications from Interperiodica, and currently specializes in education-related articles on eHow and Answerbag. Poepsel holds a Master of Arts in education and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Arizona State University.

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The transmission of the Doge Caravan requires an ample supply of clean fluid to function properly. The first signs of insufficient transmission fluid levels include slipping. Slipping is when the transmission drops from an appropriate gear to one that either provides too little torque to maintain speed or to a lower gear that causes the engine to rev higher than usual. Slipping could be a sign of more serious transmission trouble but a check of the transmission fluid level is the first step to adequately troubleshooting the problem.

Step 1

Park the Caravan on a level driveway and leave the engine running. Put the transmission in "Park."

Step 2

Pull the hood release lever beneath the driver's side of the dashboard to open the hood.

Step 3

Locate the transmission fluid dipstick, labelled "ATF" (for automatic transmission fluid), located on the right side of the engine.

Step 4

Pull the dipstick from the transmission fluid reservoir and wipe the metal indicator strip clean with a towel. Return the dipstick to the reservoir and wait 3 minutes.

Step 5

Pull the dipstick from the reservoir and read the value on the stick. The amount of fluid is read by seeing where the line of transmission fluid stops on the stick in relation to the notches on the stick. There are three dots toward the end of the metal strip. The dot closest to the end of the stick indicates an insufficient level of fluid. The middle dot is the lowest safe value and the upper dot (closest to the dipstick handle) is the "full" indicator. The fluid should be between the middle and uppermost dots.

Step 6

Add transmission fluid if necessary. Place a funnel into the reservoir opening and pour the fluid into the reservoir. Replace the clean dipstick into the container and read the value again after 10 minutes. When the value shown on the dipstick is at an appropriate level, return the dipstick to the reservoir and close the hood.

References

• "Dodge caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysley Town and Country Auto Repair Manual, 1996-2002"; Haynes; 2003
• Aa1car: Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid

Tips

• Chrysler recommends using ATF+3 transmission fluid to replenish the Dodge Caravan's transmission fluid supply.

Things You'll Need

• Towel (paper or cloth)
• Transmission fluid
• Funnel

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.

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