Automatic Transmission Fluid; When To Check And Change; How To Check - GMC 1996 Sonoma Owner's Manual

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.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
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Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult,
YOLI
may
choose to have this done at your GM dealer's 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 C E :
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
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).
0
At high speed for quite a while.
0
In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
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).
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