I've got an '02 4-cyl Tracker convertible. About two months ago, when getting an oil change, I discovered I was leaking transmission fluid. Turned out the gasket went bad, causing most of the mess -- but there was more.

I have what the mechanic believes is a small leak at the top of the transmission, between the transmission and the engine heat shield. To get to the leak, they'd have to drop the transmission or lift the engine -- a $1,000+ job, I'm told.

Since the leak is small, mechanic suggested topping up the transmission fluid once a month. Having the shop do it is $50 a pop -- their minimum for taking a car in -- or $600 a year.

There's no reason I can't do this myself, and save a ton of money. I've changed the car's oil and differential fluid. But since I've never done transmission fluid, can someone describe for me where I'll find the fill plug on an '02 Tracker? Any pictures or drawings would be particularly helpful. The drawing in a '99 Vitara service manual -- which should be close to identical to my car -- was helpful but did not show where in the undercarriage I'll find the transmission box and fill plug.

Apologies for this being a basic question. Since it's the first time I've worked with the transmission, I want to make sure I'm fully prepared before diving underneath the car.

Thanks in advance for any help