Checking transmission fluid level - check with engine on or off?

[JTNY]

The Sienna is the only automatic car I've ever owned so I am curious as to whether or not I have to leave the engine on while I check the fluid or have it off? This is on a '08 LE


Thanks!

[brian_g20]

The Sienna is the only automatic car I've ever owned so I am curious as to whether or not I have to leave the engine on while I check the fluid or have it off? This is on a '08 LE


Thanks!

im pretty sure its on. all he cars i've owned, you always check with the car on.

warm up the car, cycle through all the gears, put it back in park, with the car ON, check the level. to check the hot level, i think the atf fluid needs to be a certain temperature.

[JTNY]

Thanks! Fluid looks good

[2006SiennaLE]

Yup, with the engine on it is.

The dipstick has a 'cold' level. That's never been accurate for me. Not sure what it's for.

[wiswind]

You check the Transmission fluid with the motor running at idle.....and engine warm.
Transmission in PARK and the vehicle on level ground.

[kmahren]

The only trouble I've found is getting a reliable reading with the engine running. Clean Tranny fluid is hard to see. I usually get it hot and then read it when the engine is off. Usually is a bit lower than the HOT indicator. I would assume that it reads a bit higher when the engine is running... anyone know?

[wiswind]

Level should go down slightly with engine running as the pump is circulating the fluid.
To see the fluid on the dipstick, I hold the dipstick so that the light reflects so that I can see the shiny wet fluid vs the dry metal of the dipstick.
I do hear you on the difficulty of seeing the level.