How do you check the transmission oil on a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if this will be of help but maybe it can get you started. My daughter has a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire with 2.2 liter Ecotec 4 cylinder and automatic transmission. The dipstick for automatic transmissions usually is red and is located on the drivers side of the engine compartment back under or near the master brake cylinder. HOWEVER, on my daughter's car there is no transmission dipstick nor any tube leading down to the transmission for adding Transmission Fluid. I do see a red cap about 1 inch in diameter down on the top of the transmission case. Apparently that's were the factory fills the fluid. So, what's the answer to your question?

1. Look for a red dipstick or a red cap. Maybe they still put those on 96 Sunfires.

2. Take your car to a Pontiac / GM dealership where for $ they will check it for you and for an additional $$ will change the transmission fluid and filter for you. It won't be free but they know how to do it correctly.

3. As for newer Sunfire's like my daughter's, either GM is now making transmissions that are sealed for life and never need a fluid change -or- GM just wants to make sure you have no choice but to come to your dealer service department. Good luck.

I currently own a 96 Sunfire GT 5-speed and have had to add transmission oil before. Facing the front of the car the brake master cylinder will be the drivers side and directly below that will be the transmission. On the top-back of the transmission facing up will be a dipstick that sticks up about an inch or so. This dipstick will be yellow (my original was yellow) or red and will read "Trans. Oil". The dipstick has a lever that you must lift straight up in order to remove it. Now, if your dipstick has not been touched for years like mine was when I bought the car, it will be black with dirt and very hard to see, so a flashlight could be very handy.

the wayon the tranny pan there is a little hex head bolt,(driver side) pull this plug and fill the fluid from the top. when the fluid comes out the little hole it is full ,put cap and bolt back and you are done. jay....

As Jay says above. I looked forever before I found it. You'll see it just underneath the 2 fluid lines that run to the rad

MORE INFO

I also looked forever before finding it, and I discovered that the dipstick in my '96 Sunfire is white.