Hi.
Is the proper 'full' fluid level the lower lip of the fill plug after cycled gears, idle, hot and park ?

The fluid supplied in servicing kits show 7 quarts; the transmission data shows ~10 quarts capacity. What did I get wrong ? Is the old fluid in pipes and cooler left undrained ?

Did I read somewhere ZF factory tells the fluid is to be replaced only once by 30K miles and never again ?

After parked overnight; the dipstick shows level about ~150mm above the tip. Is that normal as the torque converter drains slowly back to the pan ?

The dipstick distance between its tip and the 'full' mark is 32mm. Does it mean the tip of the dipstick should rest 32 mm lower than the lower lip of the fill plug ?
How can that happen when the fill tube is not lower than the fill plug ?

 

From the D1 owner's manual...

AUTOMATIC GEARBOX FLUID LEVEL CHECK & TOP-UP
The automatic gearbox fluid must ONLY be checked when the engine and gearbox are COLD (see ’Note’ below).

Ensure the vehicle is resting on level ground, then select ’P’ (park) and start the engine. With the engine running at idle speed and both foot brake and parking brake applied, move the selector lever to position ’1’ and then back to position ’P’.

With the engine running, withdraw the dipstick from the filler tube and wipe the blade clean. Reinsert the dipstick fully and withdraw again to check the level. Top-up to maintain the level between the UPPER and LOWER markings on the dipstick, with a fluid meeting the minimum specification defined in ’General data’.

NOTE: In extreme ambient temperatures, the level of fluid showing on the dipstick will vary.

To ensure an accurate reading, the level should be checked at an ambient temperature of 68° F (20° C).

DO NOT OVERFILL!

 

And, there is not a one time limit for changing the trans fluid. It should be changed periodically. I don't remember the interval. Atlantic British has a good Maintenance Interval schedule that is printable.

 

They say that on new Rams too. And guys on the Ram Forum know better.

If you want your tranny to last almost forever, change the fluid periodically. Every 80k miles is what a lot of people do. Some guys go 100k. Depends if you just DD or if you tow, etc (which you'd want to change it more often).

 

Thank you, gentlemen.
Mark G : Is here a RAM truck that uses the ZF 4HP22 ?