So the last quick lube place I went to overfilled the crap out of my transmission, and my Jeep actually puked from the vent tube and was smoking on the exhaust about a week ago. Been watching it carefully, and I'm wondering if it's better to remove the fluid when the transmission is cold or hot? Right now, when it's cold, the oil line on the dipstick is a little over the top hot hole. When it's hot, there's bubbles and the oil line is about at the very top bend on the dip stick.

 

It's better to adjust the fluid level when the transmission is warmed up. It would help to know the temperature of the fluid.

Here is what the level should be at various temperatures.

 

The only way i found to drain the transmission oil was to remove the trans oil pan and drain it that way. Then you will either have to use RTV sealant or gasket to seal it back up

Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource » Jeep JK Wrangler 42RLE Automatic Transmission Service

 

I'm gonna siphon through the dipstick. If I don't have a temp gauge installed, am I SOL on using the temperature method?

 

Buy or borrow an infrared temp gun and point it at the transmission pan.

 

Harbor freight has a cheap little Infrared thermometer that works well and only costs $12.99. It is item 93983. I used it when I had a motorhome with overheating brake calipers to monitor their temperatures.

 

I would run it until you know it's hot, at least 20-30 min., check it and pull out fluid until it's on the hot full mark. You can always add if you have to. Why would they even think of adding trans. fluid on a basically new vehicle. Same with brake and power steering fluid. I would stay away from those places. The next thing is that they'll strip your drain plug and/or oil filter.