Chevrolet 2003 Silverado 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual page 404

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
e
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
running.
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, run the engine
for at least once minute and shift to DRIVE (D).
Then shift to NEUTRAL (N) and then REVERSE (R)
to fill the hydraulic system. Then, position the
shift lever in PARK (P).
e
Allow the engine to run at idle (500-800 rpm).
Slowly release the brake pedal.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
Cold Check Procedure
The purpose of the cold check is to determine if the
transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely until
a hot check can be made. The fluid level rises as fluid
temperature increases. DO NOT iiii above the COLD
CHECK band if the transmission fluid is below normal
operating temperatures.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
paper towel.
then pull it back out again.
3. Check the fluid level reading. Repeat the check
procedure to verify the reading.
4. If the fluid level is within the COLD CHECK band,
the transmission may be operated until the fluid is
hot enough to perform a hot check. If the fluid
level is not within the COLD CHECK band, add or
drain fluid as necessary to bring the level into
the middle of the COLD CHECK band.
5. Perform a hot check at the first opportunity after the
normal operating temperature of 160°F (71 "C) to
200°F (93°C) is reached.
6. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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