between the full and add marks..
and usually you would take the reading  with the van sitting level, idling
in Park,
and Warm.
( fluid expands of course with heat )

in any case...it's very important that it not be overfull...... ever.

Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Fisher" <garciasghostvw@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 5:13 PM
Subject: Attention automatic transmission owners; a little help!

>I wonder if some of you fine folks would be so kind as to go out and check
> your transmission fluid levels with the drive train stone cold. I'm trying
> to establish a sort of average frame of reference for what that level
> would
> be.
>
> TIA
>
> --
> Cya,
> Robert
>
> '87 & '86 Auto GLs