Originally Posted by 1slow370

the only tool you need to check it is a wrench for the overflow plug? oh and a thermometer to make sure the fluid is between 95-115 deg F when you check it. the procedure is slightly over fill it, warm it up to the above temp(i'd check it with an IR thermometer on the pan), work it through all the shift positions, park it on level ground, pull the overflow plug and let it drain until it starts to slow drip, then put the plug back in, if excess doesn't run out you were low.

Edit: also thats right from the manual on page TM-281 in case you were wondering the overflow plug has a tube inside the pan that goes up to the full level so the fluid will drain until it gets to the top of the tube and stop at full, and it goes without saying the engine has to be on during the whole process. of actually checking the level.