Reading ATF dipstick (with clear photos)
 

Hello everyone.

I have struggled with getting a good reading on my ATF dipstick. This morning I finally got what seems to be a pretty clear reading and I took some pictures though I'm still not sure about which level is the right one. There is the line where the red blob ends (marked A in first image) or what I think is the edge of the meniscus where there appears to be a feint line (dry spot) (marked B in first image). By my reading, I'm either pretty close to the high mark, or about 3/16" over.

Depending on lighting, it's usually nowhere nearly as clear as this. Often there is a lot of fluid all he way up the stick, confusing things.

Thanks for any input on the correct place to read, and hopefully these pictures and any resulting comments will help someone. It's hard to find/take good pictures!

BTW this is a 2006 TL base automatic

For Honda transmissions, you need to drive the car some distance. The fluid needs to be hot and run through the gears. Then park the car on a level surface and turn the engine OFF.

Pull the dipstick and look at the level you have marked "B." The "blob" is just what happens to be clinging to the dipstick and not the correct level.

Thanks! It's pretty hard to make out!

overfilled?
 

ok, using the above method, I am consistently getting about 1/2" over the high mark. Engine hot.
I know this has been discussed plenty on the forums, any new thoughts or consensus on how much over is "too much"?
Should I bother draining out a bit?

There's a little bit of tolerance built into these things. If it were my car and things were running fine I would probably not care.