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Service and Appearance Care
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. 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 a Pontiac 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.
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, 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
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
-
especially in hot
90°F (32°C).
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).
T o check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24
km)
when outside
temperatures are above 50°F
(
10°C).
If it's colder than 50°F
(
lO"C), drive
the vehicle in
"D'
(Third Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the
engine off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C)
or more. If it's colder than 50°F
(lO°C),
you may have to idle the engine longer.
Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
0
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
the shift lever in "P" (Park).
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 "P" (Park).
Let the engine
run
at idle for three
minutes or more.
. .
. I 9 8
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