Mazda RX-8 Manual page 1301

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Level Inspection
CAUTION:
The ATF amount varies according to ATF's temperature. Therefore, when inspecting the ATF level or
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replacing the ATF, use a thermometer to measure the temperature then adjust the ATF amount to the
specified level according to the specified temperature.
1. Place the vehicle on level ground.
2. Apply the parking brake and position wheel chocks securely to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
3. Adjust the length of the thermistor probe measure to the measure same as the dipstick and hold the probe
with a paper holder.
4. Insert into the filler tube and measure the temperature.
5. Warm up the engine until the ATF reaches ( 60    70 ° ° ° ° C {140    158 ° ° ° ° F} ).
CAUTION:
Do not warm the transmission by stall speed test. This will damage the torque converter.
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NOTE:
In some cases it may be necessary to inspect the ATF in the cool range 15    25 ° ° ° ° C {59    77 ° ° ° ° F}
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before warming up the engine.
6. While depressing the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to each range (PD), pausing momentarily in
each range.
7. Shift back to the P position.
NOTE:
If the ATF level is too high or too low when the engine is hot, the following malfunctions may
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occur.
ATF
Condition
level
Too Line pressure is lower than the
low specification.
Too
ATF is hot.
high
Malfunction
Air in the transmission oil passage causes slipping or
damages clutch mechanism.
ATF deterioration causes slipping clutch or stuck valve.
(w) RX-8 Transmission (Manual & Auto)
Page 276