Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 12/2/2005

Question
My daughter misplaced her owners manual, the transmission is acting up and we don't know how to check/add fluid.  Is this something we can accomplish or do we need to take it in?
thanks

Answer
HI  KIM;
 The tranny fluid, it is easy, all you should have to do is have the car parked on flat land - and with a warm engine open the hood - and with the motor running /in park with the emrg. brake on remove the trans. fluid stick , it is on the back left side of the engine area , take it out wipe it clean than put it back in than remove it again -  and check the reading / if it is low it will be below the line as marked. if it is a dirty brown or worse than I would say to take it in for a flushing and  a new fluid and screen . If it is a nice reddish color than it is ok , but if it is a bit low - get some ATF fluid and you will have to have a long funnel that is used for just that , you can get a cheep  plastic one at a discount store / K-Marts , etc. and than just add the ATF to the same place that you checked the fluid from , be careful not to spill it ,or get it on the engine as it will stink or even catch on fire if spilled on a hot ex.manifold. so do so with engine OFF. but check with the car running , do not (over fill ) it , ok -- get back to me if you have to  ...
Roger