Transmission fluid provides proper lubrication for the gears inside a Honda Civic transmission. Running low on transmission fluid can cause tiny chips in the gears, eventually causing the transmission to go out and have to be replaced completely. Save yourself money and time by learning how to check the transmission fluid on your Honda Civic.
Pop the hood of the car.
Locate the transmission dipstick to the side and rear of the engine. Make sure it isn't the engine oil dipstick; the engine oil dipstick is at the front of the engine.
Pull the transmission dipstick out, wipe the tip of it with a towel and insert it completely back into the tube.
Pull it out again and look at the end of the dipstick. Look for oil at the end of the stick between two marks. If there's no transmission oil on the dipstick at all or it's below the lowest line, the transmission needs oil. If the oil level is above the highest mark, the transmission is filled too much and should be drained.
Place the jack under the front of the car and jack it up. Pace jack stands behind the front tires on the frame of the car.
Get under the car and find the side of the transmission where the two drain plugs are located. The bottom plug is the transmission drain and the top plug is used to check the oil level.
Use a ratchet and socket to remove the top plug from the transmission.
Put your finger in the hole. If your finger can touch transmission fluid, the level is good. If you cannot reach any fluid through the hole, the level is too low. If fluid pours out of the hole when you unplug it, the level is too high.
