This must be the noobiest question ever, but here's the scenario:

I found my ATF leak culprit which is behind the position sensor so I replcaed the seal behind it. After taking out the old seal, a whole bunch of ATF just started coming out (OH HEY, I just found another ATF drain spot! lol).
So much drained out that when I plugged the new seal in, I checked the ATF dipstick and it was dry.

So I had to pick up some ATF, and fill it back up.

Now after filling it up, I started the car, let it idle, then shut it off.
Then I refered to the manual where it says check it within 60-90 seconds of turning off the car.

Here's the noob part:
When I check my ATF, (and I've done it multiple times today), there's a "pool" or thicker ATF inbetween the two dots.

The part that throws me off:
There's thin fuild halfway up the dipstick.
Is this okay?
I don't know what to take the reading of:
The pool between the lines or the thin fluid halfway up the dipstick!

When I check my engine oil it doesn't have thin fluid up the dipstick.
It just has fluid inbetween the lines and nothing is above the line.

Shall I take a picture or video to show you guys?

Again, noobie here worried about his transmission.
The good news is I fixed my ATF leak lol

 

Take a pic. I think I know what you mean though. I see if with mine as well. I take the dip stick out, wipe it dry, reinsert it and then check. Usually the bottom part has a thin coating of fluid and there is a "crown" at the highest point. I usually try to do it a couple times when I changed the fluid.

The other question is are you warming it up pretty good before checking? I find that right after changing the fluid it is a PITA to check until I really let it warm up.

 

Thanks Ravi - I check my ATF after a drive, so the car is warmed up good =)

My dipstick could be telling me two things:

My transmission is OVERFILLED with ATF. The pool near the bottom only means the fluid from halfway up the dipstick went down.
Or it's right in the middle and I'm good.

I'll definitely take a vid or something when it's brighter out

 

 

Check this thread:

C-025: DIY:The RR Journals: ATF drain and refill (Automatic Transmission Fluid Change
https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/anybody-good-xp-89064/

I'm not sure, but I thought in this thread (or maybe another) RoadRage discussed the "proper" way to read the ATF dip stick.

 

Haha thanks.
I read that thread prior but most places will say if the fluid is between the dots its okay but I have thin fluid all the way up halfway the stick and a pool or thicker fluid at the two dots.

 

Are you doing this while the engine is running? Do you see the same thing on both sides of the stick?

 

That's all I'm looking for... just a sure answer please.

 

Per the manual, the fluid is to be drained at operating temp (2 coolant fan cycles), and refilled between the holes, which contradicts the whole transmission fluid "expansion" theory.
Per the manual for checking atf fluid level, you are to warm the engine up to 2 coolant fan cycles, shut the engine down, and wait 60-90 seconds for the fluid to settle before checking.

With that being said, I think it's safe to say that when the engine is warm, you can safely top off the fluid to between the dots well after 60-90 seconds and continue filling until you have it on the mark without reasonable doubt, meaning dont let bubbles create second guesses. After driving it, you should be able to let it sit 10-15 mins to settle and check the mark and let the bubbles gas off, considering the manual doesn't factor in that you're putting in ATF at ambient temp or allowing it time to cool as it drains.

 

Also, 2/3 of your transmission fluid is still warm as it wasnt drained out. A drain and fill takes a good 20 minutes or so, and the manual states to check the level before starting the engine after service. That's why I'm assuming allowing it to sit for 20 minutes to settle should put you right on the money. You may also want to check and make sure your dipstick tube isnt bent and messing with your dipstick levels.

 

Thanks for your reply!

I did two drain and fills using Rhino Jack's plus a 5° incline (driveway) and I only put in 2.5 quarts on the last fill. Did a short drive and checked the dipstick within 60 - 90 seconds on a level surface and the fluid now rests right at the upper mark...I think.
I used a white paper towel to help locate, sliding the dipstick to the side from a horizontal position to the towel and ground, most of the transmission juice was saturated right to this point. It is very difficult to see or be sure though.
By me putting in a half quart less than the magic 3 quarts everyone else seems to be doing be okay considering I was at such a angle when I was doing my drain?

As an interesting side note, I was getting a obd2 code prior to this and now it has cleared. The code I was, P0848 sensor b high. I suppose new fluid decreased this pressure?

 

I cant really speak for using rhino ramps, I've used them, but I also used a floor jack on the back tow hook and raised the ass end of the car to level it out. Dirty fluid shouldn't increase pressure per se. In my experience, I've never been able to only put 3 quarts. It's usually 3.5, sometimes closer to 4.

 

 

Thanks for your replies! AcuraZine is the best tool in my box for sure.
I will be doing a drain and fill the next time I preform an oil change in about 6 months (full synthetic). Car maintenance has become a more reasonable hobby for me, taking the place of my former RC one. Saving money is pretty nice.
That being said, I've pretty much decided to take my car up to the Acura dealership maybe today to have them verify my dang dipstick reading. I would be highly pissed at myself if I burn it up just because I did not put enough fluid in. I'll update afterwards...

 

***UPDATE ***
The Acura dealership gracefully offered this service for free; I ended up slightly overfilling with my 2.5 quart fill but not enough to worry about. Said about a half quart over.
...so in summary, if you're doing a drain and fill on about a 10° inline, you need only 2 quarts to make it in the range. The tech said the engine just needs to be hot and the dipstick reading taken while on a level surface.