How to check the transmission fluid with the

in the absence of car manual, fill initially with one liter/qrt of transmission fluid. check for leaks and start engine. with transmission in park, slowly add transmission fluid with engine at idle. constantly monitor transmission fluid level with vehicle on level position until fluid level in "cold", then drive vehicle approximately for one mile until fluid is warmed up or hot. recheck fluid level with engine idling and on park. Add if necessary until fluid level in Hot position in dip stick. then your done. write down how much fluid you added for future reference.

Add fluid through the dipstick tube with a small funnel. When checking level, car should be at operating temperature (engine and transmission warmed up), and put in park on a level surface, engine idling. Check the fluid level, shut off car, and add fluid as needed.
It is important not to overfill, as that can lead to damage from foaming and loss of fluid pumping through the transmission. And fluid should be hot when checked, because transmission fluid expands when hot. The level will be higher on the dipstick when hot than when fluid is cool.
Now if you have a manual transmission, there is no stick for checking level. You remove the fill plug, a large bolt on the side of the case about half-way up on the case, and see if fluid level is right up to the bottom of the plug hole.

TRANSMISSION CANT BE TOO HOT AFTER DOING A LOT OF DRIVING.BEST TIME TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID WHEN ENGINE COOL.TO CHECK FLUID LEVEL.CRANK ENGINE UP.LET IT IDLE UNTIL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION GET WARM. WITH ENGINE IDLING.SHIFT TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO LOW 1 GEAR. TWICE DO EACH GEARS AT ONE TIME. WITH TRANSMISSION BACK IN PARK.CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL ON DIP STICK SHOULD BE AT THE FULL MARK IF NOT ADD A PINT AT A TIME TO GET TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL CORRECT. DONT OVER FILL.

If you have your owners manual, there is a section containing the capacities for all fluids. You may also simply check your fluid level, with a running motor and warm transmission. If the stick indicates add, start with a 1/4 quart and work your way up. Unless there is a problem with the trans, there is no real reason to ever add fluid unless your are flushing the transmission.

5 QUARTS FOR FLUID FILTER CHANGE. IF REPLACING TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION OVER HAUL. YOU NEED 13.8 QUARTS. WHEN YOU CHANGE FLUID AND FILTER.BESURE YOU HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL TO THE FULL MARK BEFORE DRIVING VECHICLE.LET ENGINE IDLE UNTIL GET WARM BUT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID WHILE ENGINE IDLING.IF FLUID LEVEL DROP A LITTLE ADD A LITTLE MORE TO GET FLUID LEVEL AT FULL MARK.ONCE ENGINE GET OPERATING TEMPERATURE.SHIFT TRANSMISSION THROUGH ALL GEARS TWICE ONE AT A TIME.CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL.SHOULD BE ON FULL MARK.DRIVE VECHICLE FEW MILES CHECK FLUID LEVEL.IF FLUID LEVEL.FULL YOU GOOD.IF STILL LOW ADD A PINT AT A TIME.ONCE FLUID LEVEL CORRECT. SHIFTING OKAY TIME PLAY.YOU GOOD TO GO.

IF TRANSMISSION DONT HAVE FILLER TUBE AND DIP STICK.YOUR VECHICLE HAS LEVEL CHECK PLUG ON TRANSMISSION OIL PAN TOWARD EXHAUST END.YOUR VECHICLE HAS TO BE LIFTED UP LEVEL ON JACK STANDS.ENGINE HAS TO BE RUNNING.AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE HAS TO BE 95 TO 113 DEGREES. SHIFT TRANSMISSION THROUGH ALL GEARS TWICE THEN BACK TO PARK.MAKE SURE ALL DRIVE WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND VECHICLE IS FIRM AND SECURE ON JACKSTANDS.WHILE ENGINE RUNNING REMOVE LEVEL CHECK PLUG.REAR OF TRANSMISSION PAN. IF TRANSMISSION FLUID DRIPS YOUR FLUID LEVEL OKAY.IF TRANSMISSION FLUID POUR OUT CHECK PLUG HOLE YOU HAVE TOO MUCH FLUID IN TRANSMISSION.IF NO FLUID COME OUT ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRANSAXLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVE SHAFT.WARNING THIS VECHICLE TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPOSE TO BE CHECKED AT A GARAGE ON LIFT. YOU CAN CHECK FLUID AT HOME IT IS DANGEROUS THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE VECHICLE ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND AND JACKSTAND SECURE SOLID NO MOVEMENT WHAT SO EVER.

Underhood Check-check for transmission fluid at the transmission case screwed in with a dipstick. Most GM vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions have such a dipstick.

Engine oil--Check the engine oil level.

Coolant--Check the radiator coolant level in the reservoir.

Battery-- Visually check battery cables and connections.

Automatic transmission--Check the fluid level.

Master cylinder--Check the fluid level.

Power Steering--Check the fluid level.

Windshield washer--Check the fluid level.

Belts & hoses--Visually check all belts and hoses for wear. NOTE: In addition to the items listed above there are cases with some manufacturer's where odd components such as manual transmission/transaxles and front differentials many be equipped with a dipstick found underhood for fluid level check. If you are unsure of a dipstick on your vehicle, check with the owners manual.

Fluid Level Check



Remove the automatic transmission dipstick from the tube



Check the transmission fluid level on the dipstick



Automatic transmission dipstick marks; the proper level for a hot transmission is within the shaded area

Check the automatic transmission fluid level at least every 7500 miles (12,000 km). The dipstick can be found in the rear of the engine compartment. The fluid level should be checked only when the transmission is hot (normal operating temperature). The transmission is considered hot after about 15-20 miles (24-32 km) of highway driving.
Although the transmission should be checked while the fluid is at normal operating temperature, do not check it if it is at the extreme high end of the operating temperature range. Wait at least 30 minutes if you have just be driving the vehicle in ambient temperatures in excess of 90°F (32°C), at highway speeds for a long time, in heavy traffic (especially in hot weather) or have been pulling a trailer.

1. Park the truck on a level surface with the engine idling, then shift the transmission into Park and firmly set the parking brake.
   
2. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the selector through each gear range (pausing for about 3 seconds in each gear), then place it in Park. Allow the engine to run at idle about 3 more minutes.
   

When moving the selector through each range, DO NOT race the engine.

1. With the engine running at a low idle, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and then reinsert it firmly. Be sure that it has been pushed all the way in, then pause 3 seconds. Remove the dipstick again and check the fluid level while holding it horizontally. The fluid level should be between the upper notch and the FULL HOT line. If the fluid must be checked when it is cool, the level should be between the lower 2 notches.
   

Most of the transmissions for the 4.3L engine are equipped with a flip-top handle on the dipstick. To withdraw these, flip the handle upward, then pull the dipstick from the guide.

1. If the fluid level is low add DEXRON®III automatic transmission fluid. The fluid must be added through the transmission dipstick tube, which is easily accomplished using a funnel. Add fluid gradually, checking the level often as you are filling the transmission. Be extremely careful not to overfill the transmission, as this will cause slippage, seal damage and overheating. Approximately one pint of ATF will raise the fluid level from one notch/line to the other.
   

WARNING Always use DEXRON®III ATF. The use of ATF Type F or any other fluid will cause severe damage to the transmission.

The fluid on the dipstick should always be a bright red color. If it is discolored (brown or black), or smells burnt, serious transmission troubles, probably due to overheating, should be suspected. The transmission should be inspected by a qualified technician to locate the cause of the burnt fluid.

Remove Transmission Fluid Level Check
Locate and remove the transmission fluid level checker, in most cars and trucks this is where the fluid is checked and added.

Insert fluid funnel and add transmission fluid until the proper amount of fluid level is reached. Let engine warm and recheck fluid level, add fluid as needed. Do not over fill the transmission, it could foam the fluid and cause low fluid pressure causing premature transmission failure. recheck transmission for leaks and recheck fluid level in a couple of days.

DIAGNOSIS AND TEST FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. 2. Before removing the dipstick, wipe all dirt from the area around the dipstick. 3. With the selector lever in "P" (Park) and the parking brake applied, start the engine. 4. The engine should be running at idle speed and the fluid should be at normal operating temperature [80-90°C (176-194°F)]. 5. Move the selector lever to every position to fill the torque converter and hydraulic circuit with fluid, then place the lever in the "N" (Neutral) position. This operation checks that fluid level check is accurate. 6. Check if the fluid level is in the "HOT" range shown on the dipstick. If the fluid is low, add automatic transaxle fluid until the level reaches the "HOT" range.