This is my first Jeep so I'm still learning. After a debacle yesterday changing the transmission fluid I checked it first thing this morning while it was cold and the level seemed correct. I took it out for a ride of about 25 miles or so to heat up the transmission to full operating temperature. I stopped and checked the fluid level - vehicle level, running in Park (even though the dipstick says to check it in Neutral - I did it both ways) and I'm a bit confused by what I'm seeing. The fluid was hot and was visible on the dipstick up to the hot level but there was also fluid further up the dipstick - but not all the way across the dipstick, more on just one edge. It seemed to be in the proper hot level zone so I continued driving and went back home. When I got home I checked it again, parked in the garage, level with the transmission in Park. This time I'm still getting some fluid on the side of the dipstick but I could now see that both cold level holes had fluid filling them as well as the lower hot level hole. The upper hot level hole didn't have any fluid in it, but there was still fluid above it on one edge only. I made sure to put the dipstick back in after wiping it off with the engraved side facing up. Here's a photo of what it looked like. Is this a correct reading? The owner's manual was basically useless trying to figure this out. I'm used to my Chevy trucks which seem to be a lot easier to read when checking the transmission levels. After yesterday I'm a bit paranoid about doing something else wrong. Thanks

 

Sounds like most of the problem is from oil in the tube that gets transferred to the stick as it's moved in and out. Ignore anything above the oil line that is just on one side and not across the stick.

Some of that oil inside the tube can be removed by inserting the stick with about 4" sticking out the top (tip of stick above the oil level), remove, clean, and repeat until it stays clean. Cleaning the stick until it's very dry with a paper towel can make it easier to see the true level. My last tip is to insert and withdraw the stick quickly so there's less time for the true level to get messed up, and check both sides of the stick.

 

Should still be a Chrysler transmission in there and they require to be read in neutral with the engine idling at operating temperature.

 

Clean the dip stick with brake cleaner first. It will help greatly when trying to read the tranny fluid. It's not an easy one but a clean stick with fresh fluid and you can see a difference when trying to read it.

I'd spend $60 on a topsider and suck and replace the fluid if you are not confident in doing the transmission service yourself. If money is no issue go get a tranny service sooner and keep that fluid fresh. My JK shifts so much smoother after I did the service.