2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner's Manual - Page 259

Checking the Fluid Level Prepare your vehicle as follows: Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in PARK (P). With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P). Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: The transaxle fluid dipstick handle is the black loop near the rear of the engine compartment, toward the center. See Engine Companlment Overview on page 5-12 for more information on location. 1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. 2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again. 3400 (Code E) V6 Engine 3800 (Code K) V6 Engine 3400 (Code E) V6 Engine 5-24 3800 (Code K) V6 Engine 3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area. 4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in all the way.