How to check transmission fluid level - 2002 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

follow this troubleshooting section for oil transmission.
n automatic transmission depends on the transmission fluid for transferring engine power to the wheels, shifting gears, lubricating moving parts and cooling down the transmission. Check the transmission fluid when your car is serviced and change it as recommended. Different cars have different ways of checking the transmission fluid level; some require the engine to be shut off (e.g. Honda), some cars don't have a transmission dipstick at all and the fluid can only be checked in a repair shop. Check your owner's manual for proper procedure. This is how the transmission fluid checked on most cars: After the vehicle was driven for a while to let the transmission fluid warm up, place your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "P" (Park) position. Leave the engine running. Find the automatic transmission dipstick (your owner's manual will tell you where it is located). Pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick off with a clean lint-free rag. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the fluid level. A transmission fluid expands when warmed up, so if the car has been driven for a while (20-30 minutes), the transmission level should be between "HOT" marks. If the vehicle is cold, the level should be between "COOL" marks. Check the fluid condition: a very dirty fluid with strong burnt smell is a warning sign of transmission problems. Normally the automatic transmission fluid should be clean and transparent, as in these photos.
On most cars the new transmission fluid comes red (photo on the left). Over the time it becomes brownish, as in the photo below.
This is how the synthetic transmission fluid looks after two years of driving - it's still clean and transparent. If your fluid looks very dark or dirty, check your owner's manual, maybe it's time to change it. Some manufacturers require to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 or 50,000 miles others specify that you never have to change it - check what's your car owner's manual says.
If the transmission fluid level is low, you can top it up, but be careful not to overfill it. Overfilling the transmission can cause problems. It's very important to use only specified transmission fluid type - check your owners manual or simply visit your local dealer, they always have proper transmission fluid in stock. Incorrect fluid type can damage your transmission. How to top up the transmission fluid: Using a thin funnel, add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe. Wait for a few minutes - let the fluid drain down. Recheck the level again. Don't overfill

see the chart troubleshooting and proceed according. God bless you

How to check automatic transmission fluid. An automatic transmission depends on the transmission fluid for transferring engine power to the wheels, shifting gears, lubricating moving parts and cooling down the transmission. Check the transmission fluid when your car is serviced and change it as recommended. Different cars have different ways of checking the transmission fluid level; some require the engine to be shut off (e.g. Honda), some cars don't have a transmission dipstick at all and the fluid can only be checked in a repair shop. Check your owner's manual for proper procedure. This is how the transmission fluid checked on most cars:
After the vehicle was driven for a while to let the transmission fluid warm up, place your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in "P" (Park) position. Leave the engine running. Find the automatic transmission dipstick (your owner's manual will tell you where it is located). Pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick off with a clean lint-free rag. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the fluid level. A transmission fluid expands when warmed up, so if the car has been driven for a while (20-30 minutes), the transmission level should be between "HOT" marks. If the vehicle is cold, the level should be between "COOL" marks. Check the fluid condition: a very dirty fluid with strong burnt smell is a warning sign of transmission problems. Normally the automatic transmission fluid should be clean and transparent, as in these photos.
On most cars the new transmission fluid comes red (photo on the left). Over the time it becomes brownish, as in the photo below.
This is how the synthetic transmission fluid looks after two years of driving - it's still clean and transparent. If your fluid looks very dark or dirty, check your owner's manual, maybe it's time to change it. Some manufacturers require to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 or 50,000 miles others specify that you never have to change it - check what's your car owner's manual says.
If the transmission fluid level is low, you can top it up, but be careful not to overfill it. Overfilling the transmission can cause problems. It's very important to use only specified transmission fluid type - check your owners manual or simply visit your local dealer, they always have proper transmission fluid in stock. Incorrect fluid type can damage your transmission. How to top up the transmission fluid: Using a thin funnel, add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe. Wait for a few minutes - let the fluid drain down. Recheck the level again. Don't overfill

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.

YOUR TRANSMISSION DONT HAVE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK YOU HAVE A LEVEL CHECK PLUG ON BACK SIDE OF OIL PAN YOU NEED A SCREW DRIVER TO PRY OUT LEVEL CHECK PLUG.WITH ENGINE RUNNING FLUID TEMPERATURE 95 TO 113 DEGREES. IF FLUID COMES OUT SMALL DRIPS FLUID LEVEL OKAY.IF FLUID POURS OUT CHECK HOLE YOU HAVE TOO MUCH FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. IF NO FLUID COMES OUT CHECK HOLE.ADD A PINT OF FLUID AT A TIME SO YOU WONT OVERFILL TRANSMISSION. YOU NEED A NEW CHECK PLUG O - RING. IF YOU REUSE THE OLD O-RING YOU WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.DONT REMOVE CHECK LEVEL PLUG UNTIL YOU HAVE PLENTY TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HAND AND A NEW CHECK PLUG O- RING THE DEALERSHIP HAVE IT.

This is in the owners manual pages 269 and 270. TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
The automatic transmission does not have a transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Transmission fluid should be checked and, if required, fluid
should be added by a qualified technician.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission operation and result in damage to internal transmission components. Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface or level hoist.
2. Clean the filler plug or dirt and debris.
3. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level.
4. Fluid level should be at bottom of the opening.
5. Add enough fluid through the filler opening so that the fluid level is at the bottom of the opening.
6. Install and tighten the fill plug securely.
Use only fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications in this chapter.

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.

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.