As others have said, check it while idling, in park and up to operating
temperature.  DO NOT overfill it.  I've had it happen twice that mechanics
overfilled it.  Both times the tranny struggled to shift into second.  Both
times they argued with me about overfilling "that little" being a problem.
Both times I insisted that they drain some fluid, and both times that solved
the problem shifting.

As always, YMMV

Bob Trousdale
'90 Westy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
> On Behalf Of Mark A Kippert
> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 10:46 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Auto tranny fluid level
>
> 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"
>