Everybody always talks about checking and changing the oil in their cars, but most drivers forget about their transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is as important as the oil and it's almost as easy to check.

The first thing to remember about checking your transmission fluid is that your car should be running. Park your car on a level spot, put it in "Park" and let it idle for a few minutes.

While the car is idling, look for the transmission fluid dipstick. It's usually towards the back of the engine, which means it's closer to the dashboard when looking underneath the hood. The transmission dipsticks are often colored yellow or red, too. On older cars, however, it may just be a metal hook. Other than the oil, however, the transmission fluid dipstick is the only other one you should see.

Pull the dipstick out and clean it off with a lint-free rag. Put it all the way back into the holder. Then pull it out again to get an accurate reading.

If your car hasn't been running long, the level of the fluid should be in the "Cold" operating range. You should see this marked on the bottom of the dipstick. If you've been driving the car for awhile and it's heated up, the level of the fluid should be in the "Hot" area of the dipstick.

You should also notice the condition of the transmission fluid. If it smells burned or if it looks brown or black, bring it to your Media area Pontiac dealer for a checkup.