NEED QUICK ADVICE Please - Transmission fluid level checking.

[Cbty2050]

Here is the actual pages from the service manual. This should put it to rest. "Level hoist" = level frame.

100%. We don't need those fancy BMW tools either.

 

[Andymax]

FWIW, I sent both the service doc and the "green" picture, which are the instructions for a new ZF tranny that you might order from your dealer. I asked ZF if they would clarify the difference between the two docs. My current working theory is that new transmission installations may require more fluid at first, which would in fact happen if the tranny itself was level vs. the vehicle being level. We'll see if they respond. I'm still just trying to figure it out.

 

[popcenator]

FWIW, I sent both the service doc and the "green" picture, which are the instructions for a new ZF tranny that you might order from your dealer. I asked ZF if they would clarify the difference between the two docs. My current working theory is that new transmission installations may require more fluid at first, which would in fact happen if the tranny itself was level vs. the vehicle being level. We'll see if they respond. I'm still just trying to figure it out.

Did you ever hear back?

 

[popcenator]

I also emailed and got this response from ZF who stated you do not need to level the transmission.

 

[Spanish Cobra]

So this right here is exactly the problem. some say level the transmission, some say level the vehicle. Even ZF documents say two different things. This is so frustrating.

 

[Big3MG]

For what it’s worth, I drained my transmission (2020 RAM 1500 with 8HP75 ZF transmission), replaced pan, ran thru the full procedures, raised rear wheels sufficiently to ‘mostly’ level the transmission pan gasket mounting surface (rails). The bubble on my level still showed I needed to raise the rear wheels up another couple inches but I reached the height of my floor jack. After the fill procedure was followed, I measured the fluid that was drained: 6.3 liters. I installed 6.7 liters so I was 400 mL over what was removed.