# Help with Reading AT Fluid Level

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 18, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737 "2008-09-18T20:51:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Maggie\_in\_N.C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@Maggie\_in\_N.C](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Maggie_in_N.C)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/1 "2008-09-18T20:51:07Z")

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I know this is a REALLY basic question… but all of the manuals warn me…DO NOT OVERFILL!!! and for me, the red fluid is really hard to see! It isn’t like reading the oil dipstick… nothing seems to cling. Is there a trick? Thanks for any help you can offer… Maggie with a 1988 300Z in North Carolina

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/2 "2008-09-18T22:46:11Z")

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No there’s no trick. Clean automatic transmission fluid (what you want) is hard to see on the dipstick. You just have to find the right light to see the pink color.

The important thing is to check the transmission fluid level correctly. I’m assuming you’ve read the owner’s manual and know how to do this.

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**Author:** ![hd72mm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@hd72mm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hd72mm)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/3 "2008-09-19T00:52:53Z")

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Take fine sandpaper to the dipstick to make it shinny clean real good.  
fluid will show up better

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/4 "2008-09-19T03:41:38Z")

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I look at the level on the back (smooth) side of the stick and then turn it over. You have to hold it just right so the light works for you.

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/5 "2008-09-19T15:10:40Z")

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I’m assuming you are reading the level with the engine warm, RUNNING at idle, and in Park or neutral with the handbrake on. Reading it with the engine off will give a totally different and incorrect reading.

It should not be too difficult to read the level as per other posters instructions.

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**Author:** ![Maggie\_in\_N.C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@Maggie\_in\_N.C](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Maggie_in_N.C)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-with-reading-at-fluid-level/19737/6 "2008-09-24T17:40:41Z")

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Thanks!