how to check dodge caliber cvt transmission fluid level?

Asked by zeussxt2008 Mar 20, 2010 at 05:53 AM about the 2008 Dodge Caliber SXT FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I bough used Dodge caliber SXT 2008 & i don't know how to check the CVT fluid level also can i use the normal fluids ??
P.S\ the nearest dealer is about 1500 KM far from where i live so i think i need to check by myself.

thanks  

19 Answers

795

ok.. i'm not sure about this one but listen to this.... some Crhysler cars have a plug on the tranny. so you would have to jack the car (leveled) and open up this plug. with the engine running Idle In neutral you fill up the tranny until it leaks for this plug (kinda like a differential). like i say i'm not sure about this one but i heard that somewhere. hope it help's

30 people found this helpful.
16,110

This thread details how to do it yourself: http://www.caliberforumz.com/showthread.php?t=24795

122 people found this helpful.
285

you never have to check it (sealed)

25 people found this helpful.
33,335

you shouldnt ever have to check the fluid on that kind of transmission. if your expiriencing any problems such as slippage from it, its a problem with the belt. your CVT is a giant version of the way a snowmobile transfers power to the ground you have two large drums which grab a metal belt by using hydraulic pressure and force it to spin.

39 people found this helpful.
180

I have talked to three (actually four-but one might not have been viable) mechanics, but all said the same, it is enclosed, so run it till it stops working or leaks. Nothing yet...So far, pretty good deal. Had new alternator clutch put in at 70k (yes alt. clutch.) Tranny bucks, but only when running ac Has 108k on it and I use it for work, so it runs or idles for 5-8 hours per day.

18 people found this helpful.

To check the oil you need to buy the dipstick from Chrysler. Also fluid level depends on temperature of the oil. You are suppoed to check that with a thermometer. It is not a sealed system. The dipstick tube has a cap and is at the front of the engine near the fresh air intake. I've been told by one deale it never has to be changed and another told me 60 to 90k miles. The cost to do it was about $380. The parts guy said it is $32 per quart their cost.

27 people found this helpful.
33,335

^hence why its a "sealed" system, you as the customer buying the vehicle should not be able to access the transmission fluids, or pieces. its not sealed in the sense that the case is a solid piece and can never be taken apart, its sealed in the sense of only the dealer has the tools on hand to properly service the transmission

22 people found this helpful.
130

I have a 2009 300c and 2010 caliber and both tranmission are sealed i bought a dipstick from f150. And when the car is warm at operating temp. i put the dipstick in and pulled out then when i found the hieght i maked it with ingraver and that was my full height now when you need to check out the transion you have a good reference to go by but dont leave thw dipstick in rwmove it everytime

13 people found this helpful.
240

I found a dipstick at tooltopia.com it is marked in milimeters. That is the one to use. You also need an ir thermometer to measure the temp of the fluid. My wife's patriot has the same tranny and the recommendation is change the fluid at 90k miles. According to the Chrysler service manual it takes 7 liters when you change the filter. DO NOT over fill it! It will foam and start to leak. The reason they don't want you to check it is because the volume changes greatly with temperature unlike standard hydraulic fluid.

21 people found this helpful.
190

it has a drain plug. drain it. When you drain it make sure you put in the same amount in that was taken out. its probably easier than doing your oil and filter. I recomend doing it every 50,000 miles. couse it does turn black. just did mine june 24th. It came out realy black. It has 140,000 miles on it. I will be doing it again after summer. Cause it was supper black when it came out. Its suppose to be a cream looking color. Just got the car and it was acting up. Its working better already. i know it next time I doit will be that much better.

19 people found this helpful.
310

in a a sealed transmission any of these options listed above wil only drain out 4 to 6 quarts - sealed transmissions can have up to 19 quarts of fluid. by only draining a third or at best half of the fluid, and putting new fluid in - it weekens the new fluid and it is worse than the original fluid. watch this video on youtube - it really opened my eyes about sealed transmissions! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acY5iLNq2V4

31 people found this helpful.
300

I had to change the condenser for the A/C, and it has a trans oil cooler in it. I never refilled the trans oil, now it overheats at times and will only go 20 mph when this happens. How much do I put back in? Any ideas on how to check it?

26 people found this helpful.
310

I have a problem. I let a friend put a ball joint on my car .the car was driving well for a while. But one night I was driving and I noticed some slack in the wheel. When I got a half a block from the pin for the ball joint came out. The tire came a louse the drive shaft came out of the transmission the black oil all over the ground. I call the Dodge people. To get my transmission fluid change is $389.00. This don't make sense. I have a 2008 Dodge Caliber with a 2.4 motor

22 people found this helpful.
60

I'd let the dealership fvks with it!

6 people found this helpful.
180

My 2008 dodge caliber sxt is a sealed system for the transmission and I found the seal where you add the new transmission fluid and it tells you what to buy to put in it and now my car is running great

18 people found this helpful.
110

This is for Greg was it the plug on top that says to use ctv transmission fluid

11 people found this helpful.
110

I have a 2008 Dodge caliber it runs great but it has a pause at take off dose anyone know why

11 people found this helpful.

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