1997 Chevy Malibu ... A girl I have been dating has said car and while we were out and about today she drove(cabrio lacks adequate trunk space for IKEA trips) and after 20 minutes the transmission would flare and slam into gear.

So, its low on fluid(I noticed some red drips on her garage floor).. ok easy fix... Where is the dipstick? aww crap its sealed for life!

Some research online shows if I get the car on a lift(dont have, but I have 4 jack stands) and supposedly there is a way to check the level and fill it.

What type of fluid should I top it off with? Type III or IV?

http://www.2carpros.com/questions/chevrolet-malibu-1997-chevy-malibu-checking-fluid

I would call a Chevy dealer and ask about the transmission fluid - sealed for life - unlikely to be anything readily available from a McParts type place.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

A guy at the grocery store I work at is a parts seller at a chevy dealership. I'll see whats the what.