How to Check the Transmission Fluid in a Pontiac Grand Am

The transmission oil is checked with the motorcycle on a level surface and on the kickstand. Wipe off the dipstick/fill plug and thread it into the transmission case until the o-ring lightly contacts the case, but do not tighten. Now, remove the dipstick/fill plug and view the oil level.

As you have already found out there is no dipstick to check the fluid level in the transmission of your 2000 Pontiac Grand Am. There is a plug in the side of the transmission case where you check the fluid level. Engine running, transmission fluid warm, remove the plug and fluid should be at the level of the hole.

1. Place the Grand Am in park and turn the ignition key to begin the engine.
2. Open the hood of the Grand Am.
3. Remove the ATF dipstick by pulling it out of the container.
4. Remove the dipstick once again and read the measurement.

A healthy transmission will shift between gears smoothly and there won’t be any slippage. Low fluid levels can cause gears to miss, which will result in a grinding sensation.

A hand-operated vacuum pump makes the job simple and clean. You can remove one-third to one-half of the fluid from the transmission at a time. The rest will remain in the torque converter and the transmission cooler. So do the procedure three times at one-week intervals to replace nearly all of the old fluid.

Most automatic transmissions require that you drain and fill the transmission fluid via the dipstick tube. Fortunately, you can purchase an oil siphon kit that comes with a small hose and small pump that will suck the oil out of the dipstick tube.

Drain plugs are not used on the bottom of automatic transmission pans because the plugs become the low point of the transmission and if scraped by a bump in the road etc., the plug could leak. Without a plug the bottom of a transmission pan can tolerate scrapes without damage or leaks.

Lucas Transmission Fix is a non-solvent formula that stops slip, hesitation and rough shifting in worn transmissions and completely eliminates most seal leaks. Use in any transmission for preventative maintenance. Use also in light duty manual transmissions to increase shifting ease and transmission life.

Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, replace it slowly, and then pull it back out. Check the fluid level—how high the fluid comes up on the dipstick—against the “full” and “low” or “fill” marks on the dipstick. The color of transmission fluid can tell you a lot about the health of your car’s transmission.

automatic transmission fluid temperature