Dodge Nitro Transmission Dipstick. Location and Ways to Check the Fluid

Dodge introduced the Nitro in 2007 as the first mid-size SUV by the company. It perfectly complemented Dodge's lineup of full-size SUVs, small cars, pickup trucks, minivans, and commercial vehicles. With the Nitro, Dodge brought its aggressive approach to vehicle design into the SUV segment. The mid-size SUV has a five-passenger capacity and features bold and aggressive styling.

Fluid level check highlights

• Level of importance:High
• Time interval:Once every 6 months
• Needed expertise:Basic
• Needed tools:None
• Time taken:5-10 minutes
• Possible issues:Transmission failure, problems with torque converter, jerking, overheating, slipping.

Does The Dodge Nitro Have Transmission Dipstick?

The Dodge Nitro is equipped with a 42RLE transmission. Instead of a dipstick, it features a transmission tube and a cap for adding ATF. You must take your Nitro to a dealership with a special tool to measure the fluid level or purchase a dipstick tool from a trusted retailer.  

Although many modern cars are adopting this style of leaving out a dipstick when building the transmission, there are speculations that Chrysler has had a bad reputation related to its transmissions. Chrysler wants to ensure that owners will, at no given time, change transmission fluids at home. The idea is to ensure you use the proper transmission all the time.

Using substandard fluids may lead to malfunctioning transmission or other problems down the line.

Where to Buy Dodge Nitro Transmission Dipstick Tool

When it comes to parts and components for your Nitro, you want to purchase them from trusted suppliers. Fortunately, the online marketplace, including Amazon and other e-commerce outlets, has excellent dipstick tools. You can also visit your local corner auto shop - expect to pay at least $23 for the Dodge Nitro dipstick tool.

How to Check Transmission Fluid Levels In a Dodge Nitro

As mentioned earlier, most Dodge Nitro models use the 42rle gearbox. As such, this is a general transmission fluid check in any vehicle using the same transmission. Follow these steps to check that your car has the right amount of ATF.

• Park and verify that your Nitro is parked on level ground. The Nitro doesn't come with a factory dipstick. Instead, it has a tube for the dipstick.
• Remove the transmission fluid tube cap.
• Engage service brakes, start the engine, and allow it to run at idle.
• Without moving the vehicle, shift through the different gears.
• Warm up the transmission and give it at least two minutes to check the fluid while the engine is still running. Push the dipstick into the transmission tube until its tip comes into contact with the pan, and pull it out.
• The dipstick tool has indicator marks to let you read fluid levels.
• Add or reduce transmission fluid if required. Once you are satisfied, replace the tube cap in its place.

If you don't have the right dipstick tool for your Dodge Nitro, you can visit your nearest Dodge service center and check it with the right tools. Dealers charge between $50 and $100 to check transmission levels in your Nitro.

How to Add Transmission Fluid in a Dodge Nitro

Once you have checked the fluid state and levels in your transmission, does it require addition or overhaul replacement? Either way, these steps will help you to add transmission fluid to your Dodge Nitro. Please note that using the wrong fluid may lead to higher repair costs on your transmission. The best way to know you are buying the correct fluid is to get it from a trusted supplier or dealership.

To add transmission fluid

• Remove the dipstick tool and place a clean funnel on the transmission tube
• If you only replaced the fluid and filter, add 6 pints of the fluid to the transmission. However, if you performed a complete overhaul of the transmission, you replaced or drained the torque converter, you need to add 10 pints of the fluid to the transmission.
• Apply the parking brakes, and start the engine - leave it to run at idle speed.
• Engage service brakes, shift the transmission through all gears, and leave it in neutral. Engage the parking brakes and leave the engine running at idle speed.
• Remove the funnel and use the dipstick to check the fluid level. If the fluid is not at the desired levels yet, add more to bring it to the MINIMUM MARK on your dipstick.
• Check to ensure the levels are the same on both sides of the dipstick. If one is pronouncedly higher than the other, there are some deposits on the transmission fluid tube. Give the fluid time to settle, and recheck.
• Drive your Nitro until the transmission fluid reaches average operating temperatures. Engage the neutral gear and parking brakes, and leave the engine running at normal curb idle speed. Recheck the transmission fluid level.
• Add fluid to bring the dipstick reading to the MAXIMUM MARK.
• When you are satisfied with the reading on your dipstick, shut the engine off and release the parking brakes. Remove the dipstick and replace the transmission tube cap.

Make sure you don't overfill the transmission fluid. It can result in fluid foaming and shifting issues.

Why It's Important To Check the Fluid

Most vehicle owners know the drill - service your car regularly, and you will enjoy a long life of service. To keep your Dodge Nitro roadworthy, you must periodically do oil changes, tire checks, and filters when necessary. One last thing you should do, which is often overlooked, is to check the state and level of the transmission fluid.

Without the transmission, your Dodge Nitro won't move. And if the transmission fluid is not in the proper levels and state, your SUV won't serve you as it should. That makes checking transmission fluid as crucial as ensuring that your tires are well balanced. And you should do it often. If the levels are low or the ATF is dirty, you should replace it or fill it up to the required levels.

To avoid always waiting until you visit a dealership, purchase a Dodge Nitro dipstick tool and check your transmission levels regularly - by yourself. One importance of doing this is to protect your transmission.  

How Often Do I Need To Check / Change Transmission Fluid On My Nitro?

All the primary fluids in your Dodge Nitro should be checked as regularly as once every month. Such fluids include the transmission fluid. And if you already purchased a dipstick tool, you can do this after fueling at the gas station. While many modern vehicles are built never to require transmission fluid change, the Dodge Nitro isn't one of those.

How often you should change the fluid depends on various factors. For the manual Dodge Nitro, the fluid should be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. However, most people prefer automatic transmission. Most of these might never require transmission fluid change unless there's a leak down there.

It is good to follow your dealer's maintenance guidelines to ensure your vehicle remains on top of its game. This can save you time and money rebuilding or fixing a faulty transmission caused by low levels or bad transmission fluid.

Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluid in Dodge Nitro

While checking transmission fluid levels is something you should do regularly, many people forget how important this is. If you fail, it'll come a time when your Nitro will demand fluid change by itself. When this happens, you will notice one or some of these symptoms.

• Higher RPM

If your Nitro revs higher than it should at any speed, it shows low transmission fluid levels. Higher RPM at any given speed could also mean the torque converter is not locking up. However, a faulty torque converter only causes the RPM to jump up a few steps.

• Unfamiliar Engine Sound When Going Up a Hill

When going uphill, you may notice your Nitro sounds different. This is because the transmission is starving of fluid. The transmission will not be able to pick up fluid from the pan. As a result, your engine will rev higher as it strains for transmission fluid.

• The Vehicle Won't Move

This happens mostly when you let your Nitro sit in the parking garage for a long time. It'll cough off some ATF when you leave it parked for days. Although it was full when you last drove it, the next time you hop in, it will not be. One way to tell transmission fluid has gone down is when you start the engine and engage drive gear, but the vehicle won't move. It can either fail to move entirely or move a little.

A faulty torque converter can also cause this problem. If the last time you drove your Nitro, you experienced vibrations at high speeds, then the problem is a loose converter. Your fluid level is perfectly okay.