Did a drain and fill with Amsoil ATF, put back in 4.5qts. Went for a drive, warmed up the engine and came home to check the level. With the engine idling, the stick was way over the max on the hot side.

So turned off engine, waited a good while and drained out some fluid. Must have drained too much because now it read exact on the min on cold side

So the level can only be read when the engine is hot and idling then? Because right before the re-drain (already Amsoil stuff), with engine off, and everything cooled down, the stick still read way over the max on hot side.

 

you have to drive it for a while (at least 5 minutes says on the manual).

 

Yes, check when warm and idling.

 

Make sure the car is on level ground fully warmed up and idling, run through the gears, holding them in each one for 10-20 seconds, put back in park then check the dipstick.

Every time I have done a drain and fill, just under a gallon (4 quarts) comes out. Put back in just under the same amount and check the level, add as needed to bring to the full 'hot' line.

 

I just had to do the same thing last nihgt.. important thta the car is fully warmed up, and car should be on level groundand in neutral to check the transmission fluid level.

[
QUOTE=Scottwax;6226473]Make sure the car is on level ground fully warmed up and idling, run through the gears, holding them in each one for 10-20 seconds, put back in park then check the dipstick.

Every time I have done a drain and fill, just under a gallon (4 quarts) comes out. Put back in just under the same amount and check the level, add as needed to bring to the full 'hot' line.[/QUOTE]

 

yeah.. basically what everyone else said.. make sure it's warmed up, but don't drive it any more than 10 mins, because it will make the fluid reading higher.. park it on level ground.. slowly run the gear shift from park down to 1, and back up to park, leaving it in every gear for a few seconds.. keep the car running, wipe the dipstick off, and check it.. that should give you an accurate reading

forget about what the dipstick says when the car is off or what it says on the cold side.. as long as the car is warm and running, then just read the hot side