Service
&
Appearance
Care
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When
to
Check and Change:
A
good time to check your automatic transmission
fluid
level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How
to
Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a dealership Service Department.
If you
do
it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
I
NOTICE
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level
if
you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To
get the right reading, the fluid must be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To
check transmission fluid
hot:
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15
miles
(24
km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F
(10°C).
If
it’s colder then 50°F
(IO’C),
drive the vehicle
in
D
(3rd gear) until the
temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To
check transmission fluid
cold:
A
cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only
as
a
reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if
outside
temperatures are
50°F
(10°C)
or
more.
If
it’s colder than 50°F
(lO°C),
you
may have to idle the engine longer.
A
hot check must follow when fluid is
added during a cold check.
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