Checking Transmission Fluid Levels

• 1). Park the vehicle on a flat surface, set the emergency brake and block all tires.
  
  
• 2). Start the car, put the transmission in park and let it idle.
  
  
• 3). Raise the hood of the car and remove the transmission dipstick. Use the vehicle owner's manual if needed to locate the dipstick.
  
  
• 4). Clear the dipstick surface of such external materials as dirt, dust, grease and other waste that might contaminate the dipstick tube. Remove the dipstick, clean it with a rag, insert it back into the transmission and remove it once more.
  
  
• 5). Read the transmission fluid levels on the dipstick. If measurements exceed the level indicated as "full," the transmission fluid levels are too high.
  
  

Draining Transmission Fluid

• 1). Leave the car in park, the emergency brake on, and the tires blocked. Turn the car off.
  
  
• 2). Disconnect a cooling line at the end that attaches to the radiator and fit a segment of rubber tubing over the pipe. Place the exposed rubber end into an empty pan for the fluid to drain into. Start the engine and let it idle.The fluid should begin to drain.
  
  
• 3). Turn off the engine and check the new fluid levels with the dipstick. Repeat the drain process until the measurement no longer exceed the level indicated as 'full' on the dipstick.
  
  
• 4). Remove the rubber tubing and reconnect the cooling line to the radiator. Dispose of drained fluids at a recycling center.