Automatic tranny fluid should be red, if its clean-oil-brown then it was worn out many thousands of miles ago.
Honda is the only maker of auto trannies I know of that it DOES get checked when it's off. Procedure for autos (I guarantee from at least '87 to '02) is to drive until the car is fully warmed up, shut car off on level surface, and check the fluid level between 60 and 90 seconds after it is shut off.