Pontiac Repair: 2002 pontiac grand am, axle shaft, car level

Question
how would a regular macanic check the transaxle fliud?

Answer
Hi Annie:

This is a stupid design on this transmission. it has to be checked on a lift with the car level with the fluid warm and the car running. there is a plug in the right side of the transmission case it has an 11MM head on it and it's just above the right hand axle shaft pull that plug out and the fluid should just dribble out of the hole. if it's low there is a big red plastic plug on the very top of the transaxle assembly just unscrew it add more fluid untill it just starts to come out of that inspection hole. Like I said it was a stupid design and they saved about $5.00 per car by not having a "dip stick" so maye the bean counters were not so stpid after all. Good luck :)