Bentley says to drive at least 6 miles if the engine is
cold.  Something like that.  It has to be fully up to temp.  In park,
idling and Roger says.  It is pretty sensitive to the levelness of
the van.  I have used a level on the area around the engine
compartment hole in the past to get an accurate reading.  Also, the
difference between the lower and upper marks is not very much
fluid.  0.4 liters is in my head for some reason...
Edward

At 05:13 PM 4/19/2010, Roger VanTill wrote:
>Warm, idling, in PARK. Don't overfill! Right between the marks.
>Now get out there and check it, boys.
>
>On Mon, Apr 19, 2010 at 1:45 PM, Mark A Kippert <vanagon@kippert.com> wrote:
>
> > I got my '90 Carat running and out for a test drive on Sunday and was very
> > pleased with how well it ran and drove after setting unstarted for about 2
> > years. Engine starts and runs good but idles a tad rough (no
> surprise). Auto
> > tranny shifts smoothly up and down. I checked the owners manual which says
> > it should be warm (not hot or cold) when checking the automatic
> > transmissions fluid level, but it said nothing about having the engine
> > idling which is typical of most cars.
> >
> > It seems like a no brainer that you check it with engine off, but I still
> > feel compelled to ask if this assumption is correct.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Mark K
> > 1986 GL/2WD/4SPD "Old Gold"
> > 1990 Carat/2WD/Auto "Carol"
> >