Is my transmission too full of fluid?

[FlaAveo5]

Is my automatic transmission to full? I am TRYING to figure out how to do a fluid change on my own. Still cant find out IF my 06 Aveo has a drain bolt or not. So I am getting a 'transfer pump', and going to suck it out through the dipstick hole, 2 quarts at a time, and do it 3-4 times, till I get red/pink fluid on the dipstick.

BUT I just checked my tranny fluid level, it is stone cold, haven't moved it in 2 days. The fluid is right at the top of the 'full-hot' level notch on the dipstick. Is that to much fluid? It is nowhere near the 'cold' notch on the dipstick. Is this a problem? Or no? It is shifting fine, no problems, except I want to change the fluid out.

So...is this to much fluid? Or is this just where it ends up after a few days of not driving?

[Daox]

Are you supposed to check the fluid level while idling or with the engine off? Most auto trans I've seen say to take the measurement with the engine idling. However, if its at the top of the allowable level, and you're measuring it correctly I wouldn't worry at all.

[sparky34kv]

Dude,

Seriously, just look at your pan, the plug is a much bigger head than the bolts that mount the pan. If you are changing fluid, either all or just what drains out, you want to replace the filer in the transmission. Fluid level, unlike oil level, is checked with the engine running and on level ground. You want check the level while it is going through the transmission, torque converter and cooling lies & radiator.