# Transmission fluid level

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 22, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010 "2008-02-22T21:10:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![maxman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maxman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maxman)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/1 "2008-02-22T21:10:28Z")

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When is the best time check the transmission fluid level? Cold or hot?  
  
 And unlike the oil level, the tranny crosshatchs on the stick are much further away from each other (cold/hot)and how do you know how much to put in?

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/2 "2008-02-22T21:13:24Z")

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I’ve only run across transmissions that are supposed to be checked hot. Your owner’s manual undoubtedly gives this information, as well as what gear setting it needs to be in (some specify Park, others, Neutral), and what the markings on the dipstick indicate.

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**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/3 "2008-02-22T21:37:42Z")

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If I have to add fluid, I like to put in about a half pint at a time. Like NYBo, all the trans I deal with need to be checked hot.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/4 "2008-02-22T22:06:24Z")

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NYBo–You actually expect someone to reach a-a-a-a-l-l-l-l the way over to the glove compartment, take out the Owner’s Manual, and read the relevant section of the Owner’s Manual? Don’t you think that this is unrealistic?

;-))

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/5 "2008-02-22T22:32:41Z")

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Always check HOT, parked on a LEVEL SURFACE, ENGINE RUNNING, and gear selector set to what owners manual or dip stick specify. Look at the dip stick, it could say something like “Check Hot, in Park”. Fill to the “Full Hot” mark on the dip stick.

transman

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-fluid-level/11010/6 "2008-02-22T23:03:31Z")

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Iv’e checked mine cold. If it is at the lowest mark cold then its o.k. If its below,add.  
just my experience.