Patent ID: 7322232

Claim:
A method of checking automatic transmission fluid level within a fluid sump of an automatic transmission wherein transmission fluid accumulates by gravitational flow, said transmission having a housing whereon said fluid sump is attached in underlying relation, said housing including an original equipment dipstick tube residing in a passage extending from an interior of said housing to an exterior thereof, wherein a dipstick having fluid level indicia thereon is disposed, said dipstick extending through said dipstick tube into said fluid sump to determine said fluid level, said method comprising the steps of: removing said dipstick from said original equipment dipstick tube; withdrawing said original equipment dipstick tube from said passage within said housing; installing a dipstick-shielding tube into said passage such that said dipstick-shielding tube extends into said fluid sump to a predetermined depth; reinstalling said original equipment dipstick tube in end-to-end relation with said dipstick-shielding tube; and replacing said dipstick within said original equipment dipstick tube and within said dipstick-shielding tube such that said fluid level indicia are shielded from splashing fluid permitting an accurate fluid level to be read on said dipstick.