Chevrolet 2001 Cavalier Owner's Manual page 258

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180
_ _
(82 C to 93 C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50
_
(10 C). If it's colder than 50
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
D
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
D
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
D
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
D
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
6-20
_ _
F to 200 F
_
F
_ _
F (10 C), you may
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
-
If you have a three speed
automatic transaxle, the
handle on the transaxle
dipstick is a red ring.
See "Engine Compartment
Overview" in the Index
for more information
on location.