Is the only way to check trans fluid levels to overflow fill port?

[JFP in PA]

The fluid in the Tip should not be allowed to run more than 50K miles without service, sooner if you are capable.

In your situation, you are going to need to fill, run up to temperature, then dump the fluid at least three, preferably four times before you get most of the crud out of the trans. And I would leave the original filter in the trans until after the third dump, then install the new filter.

Running any gearbox 100K miles between service is just plain nuts...................

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

The fluid in the Tip should not be allowed to run more than 50K miles without service, sooner if you are capable.

In your situation, you are going to need to fill, run up to temperature, then dump the fluid at least three, preferably four times before you get most of the crud out of the trans. And I would leave the original filter in the trans until after the third dump, then install the new filter.

Running any gearbox 100K miles between service is just plain nuts...................

Yes, I will take this advice. I bought extra fluid, I bought a total of 13 liters. My plan is then to drive it to the lift, drain and fill, drive it around the block in all gears, drain and fill, repeat until I have only 5 liters left of fluid, then do the service of changing the filter and removing the pan.

As a reference I believe in preventative maintenance. I have four X308 Jaguars with automatic trans, and I have done preventative trans services on all of them, despite the loud voices on the Jag forum saying if it isn't broke, don't fix it. The way I see it, trans fluid has a limited life, so running it until there is a problem significantly increases the chances of there being a problem...