Chevrolet 1994 Cavalier Owner's Manual page 168

I
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
1
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle 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 your Chevrolet 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.
NOTICE:
~.
,
, '
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transaxle. Too much
can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transaxle fluid.
Wait at least
30
minutes before
checking the transaxle fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
-
especially in hot
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 lun) when outside
temperatures are above 50°F (10.C).
If
it's colder than
50°F (lOOC),
you may
have to drive longer.
90°F (32°C).
weather.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the shift lever in P (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
2 . Push it back in all the way, wait three
a clean rag or paper towel.
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
3 .
Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the cross-hatched area.
4 . If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back in all
the way.