Allison 3000 fluid level check

[PandK]

Checked the fluid level in my transmission today using the shift pad, showed 3 quarts low. The dipstick shows full, both checks made on level ground after a 5-hour trip with the transmission still warm. My understanding is that the shift pad is the more accurate check but 3 quarts sounds like a lot of discrepancy. Is this normal?

[Steve Ownby]

Allison is very confidant of the accuracy of their internal electronic system. I recommend adding 2 quarts and rechecking.

Steve O

[Route 66]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby Allison is very confidant of the accuracy of their internal electronic system. I recommend adding 2 quarts and rechecking. Steve O

I agree.

Allison recommends relying on the shift pad readout rather than the dipstick.

[PandK]

Thank you, I will try that and post a follow up later this week.

[RJay]

The reason the shift pad method of checking oil is more accurate is that it's temperature compensated.

[PandK]

Added about 2.5 qts yesterday and took a several hour drive today. Checked the transmission fluid level several times - got the "OK" indication every time so all is well now. Mostly I was just a little "concerned" the dip stick and electronic check were so different. Appreciate the input.

[Mike Canter]

I had my MH at the Detroit/Allison shop the other week for a check and they also stated that the keypad method was the prefered method. The only thing that I found was that it needs a real long "settle" time for all the fluid to flow back into the sump. I ended up being a whole gallon down on fluid. I put two quarts in at a time while on a road trip and parked it level and let it idle for about 5 minutes then checked it. Topped it up a little at a time and drove and did it again. Got it so it says oK. Checked it again later and it showed one quart down so I sat there for five minutes and it then showed oK again. Called Allison and they are not concerned about it showing one quart down so I have left it at this level so it is not overfilled.

One of the problems with the dipstick method is one usually checks it without a "settle" time which the keypad monitors.

[Hossandjo]

I have a Monaco Camelot - '06 with the Allison 3000. I opened what I thought was the trans dipstick tube and there's no rod attached to the cap. So I guess I have to use the pad. Is that typical for a Monaco?

[Mike Canter]

I don't think so. I would suspect it came loose and has gone down the rabbit hole. You can either go fishing or just use the keypad.

[sandcar361]

How do you use the shift pad to check fluid level?

[Martind4]

Here's an excerpt from Camp Freightliner Student Manual 2010. I know it works on the 3000 & 4000 series Allison transmissions, maybe some other models also.



• Coach on level ground

• Transmission in neutral

• Transmission at operating temperature

• Press up and down arrow keys simultaneously

• Wait for 2 minute “count-down” 8 to 1

• Display indicates - OL

– “OL - OK” indicates good oil level

– “OL - HI” followed by number indicates quarts over-filled

– “OL - LO” followed by number indicates quarts under-filled.

[sandcar361]

Thanks for the info. I will try it out this weekend when we go camping.

[1ciderdog]

That's the way it works on mine but the count down is pretty slow - it will flash 8 several times, then 7 several times and so on down the number count - don't expect it to be a "rocket launch" 9,8,7,6 type count down.