It isn't the motor that needs to be hot to check the MAX level in the transmission but the trans itself - hence the instruction to check when hot. Running the car in neutral heats the motor--not the trans. That being said - the trans dipstick does have a HOT and COLD level indicator so as has already been suggested - drive a short distance to be sure the oil is circulated throughout the trans and then check the level. I understand completely as the dipstick is poorly located in our 2002 S40 as well. - Dave

Who services your car?

When I had my 740s serviced by a dealer, I would check each car cold the day after - then I only checked the cars cold and looked for changes in the level.

When our girls first started driving, they had to check fluids, lights, and tires on Saturday or they could not use the cars the following week. Now, twenty years later, I doubt if they look to see if the car has 4 wheels!

If you service the car yourself, do it once when properly hot and later check it cold and watch for changes.

For Allison transmissions in Mack fire trucks we had to drive the truck for 15 minutes, stop the vehicle and shift the transmission into each gear, and check the fluid level in neutral with the engine running at 1500 RPM.

A tranny sitting for a few hours will drain extra
ATF into the sump. You could start a cold engine, drive around the block - less than 1/2 mile, and then check the level with the engine running.

OR, put on a glove and check it hot.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new