Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid When Transmission Is Hot Versus Cold

[snarkysam]

Hi,

I have a 1996 3.8L V6 Mustang with automatic transmission, and am learning how to do the basic maintenance on it (fluids check, etc.). I have a copy of the Haynes manual, which covers the 94-04 model years.

My problem is that I was checking the automatic transmission fluid level today, and it looked really high. Specifically, over the "transmission warm" range. However, I'm not sure that I'm correctly following the fluid check procedures, which may be causing my results:

1. The Haynes manual (and the owners manual) state that the fluid should be checked when the engine has been driven, but can also be checked when the transmission is cool.
2. It gives a whole rigmarole of instructions on shifting through the various gears when the engine is running, and then when the engine is idling, checking the fluid level.
3. The instructions aren't clear on if the gear shifting should be done regardless of the transmission being "warm" or "cool."
4. Rather than driving the car, I am checking with the transmission "cool," and so assumed I shouldn't do any gear shifting, but just check the fluid level straight away.

Questions

1. Is my assumption in point number 4 above correct?
2. The transmission fluid dipstick is in an awkward position and so I'm scraping the side of the tube as I bring it out; would that give me an incorrect reading?
3. It's supposed to hit triple digits Fahrenheit today; would that make a difference?

I've never added fluid to this before. Also, how would I get it out if there is too much?

Thanks!