I have a automatic 3.4 95 camaro, i have two issues. First: my transmission fluid is clear, and i dont know what color it should be. People tell me it should be a maroon color. And second: when going up a steep hill, what gear should i be on? The last time i went up a steep hill, i tried using d3 and i ended up overheating my engine.. Should my gauge reading be over the half-way mark?

 

New transmission fluid is usually of a reddish color, and turns brown as the miles pile up. Dark brown or burnt smell is bad. If the transmission is working properly it will choose the appropriate gear for the condition, and there is no need for you to try to outsmart it. The only reason for manually selecting a gear during normal driving, is if the transmission is hunting between two gears, then you should select the lower gear manually to stop the hunting.