Automatic Transmission Fluid Question

Everyone, I own a 2001 996 C2 Coupe with tiptronic (and I love it). It's got about 81k miles on it and I use it as a daily driver. Recently, the tranny has been shifting a tad hard when I use it in auto-manual. It's cold, so that might be issue, but I am tempted to throw in some of Lucas Oil's Transmission Fix since I've used that successfully on older higher mileage vehicles. So, I wanted to ask if: 1. Has anyone done this on a 911, and if so, what were the results? 2. Where is the transmission fluid level check? Not that I think I'm leaking and/or low but I searched any and everywhere for a ATF dipstick and saw nothing. Even the manual suggests I just take it to a dealership, but I don't want to open Pandora's box. What am I missing?

Quotes source post: 14686148

1) I have not added anything like the Lucas product, nor would I. I'd suggest you have the transmission serviced (fluid/filters changed) before adding any snake oil to the trans. That will probably resolve the issue. If it doesn't there may be something else going on. If you don't want to go to the dealer, do you have a good indy shop you can trust? My experience has been these are very stout and reliable transmissions. I have about 135k on my car, original transmission, and I track it.

I would not add the Lucas Snake Oil fix. Have the transmission oil and filter serviced by the dealer. These cars need proper maintenance and none of it is cheap. There is no "dipstick." I think it's time you get a manual for your car to learn a little bit about how to maintain it. Start with "101 Project for your Porsche 911" best $25 bucks you will ever spend.

Quotes source post: 14686148

My Tip experience is limited to my driving Porsche loaners with a Tip. For instance I currently have a new Macan loaner. Guess this is the Porsche equivalent of having stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.... Don't believe there is an easy way to check the Tip fliud level. It certainly gets checked when the Tip fluid is replaced. But it is "checked" by filling the Tip with fluid and then running the engine with the Tip in park and adding fluid until it runs out the fill hole. Here's a link to an article on how to change the fluid (and verify the fluid level is correct): https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...sion_Fluid.htm Absent any signs of a fluid leak though the fluid level should be ok. If there is sign of a fluid leak the low level is not the problem the leak is and needs to be diagnosed and addressed. An atomatic, a Tip manifesting a change in behavior is generally *not* a good sign. This assumes the transmission shifting a "tad hard" when used in auto-manual mode and when cold is not normal behavior and after 81K miles you should know what's normal and what's not normal for your car. My info from the Porsche service people I talk to about Tip issues is a Tip fluid/filter service generally doesn't help and in fact seems to make the situation worse. I guess were it my car and my Tip I'd book the car in for a Tip fluid/filter service. The tech can tell a lot from the look/smell of the old ATF and what he finds or doesn't find in the filter/sump pan. If he tells me the Tip needs work then I would probably have it removed and sent to a place that specializes in rebuidling these units. The word I get is these transmissions are shared with other makes/models of cars -- or are similar enough to transmissions in other cars -- that a number of shops can rebuild these. If this is the case the Porsche dealer service department should know of one as you would not be the first owner of a Tip to need this. My thinking is I'd want to know if the Tip was truely sick or just in need of some TLC in the way of fresh fluid. If the Tip turned out to be sick I'd want it fixed *before* its condition deteriorated to the point the unit may become unsuitable for a rebuild. I know nothing of that Lucas stuff. But you have your experience with the Lucas stuff and if you want to try some of that stuff that's up to you.

Thanks for the tips, I bought the book and will go to the independent shop who has been working on my 911 over the last year (did the IMS/RMS amongst array of other fix its). Hopefully it's not a larger issue than I fear it might be.