Automatic Transmission Fluid; Checking The Fluid Level - Subaru 2006 Legacy Owner's Manual

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Maintenance and service

Automatic transmission fluid

Checking the fluid level

The automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid tempera-
ture. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid
and cold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked
without warming up the fluid on the
"COLD" range, we recommend checking
the fluid level when the fluid is at operating
temperature.
Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise
the temperature of the transmission fluid
up to normal operating temperature; 158
to 176°F (70 to 80°C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each po-
sition. Then shift it in the "P" position, and
run the engine at idling speed.
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4-speed automatic transmission
1) Yellow handle
1
5-speed automatic transmission
1) Yellow handle
3
4
2
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1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid
level on the gauge. If it is below the lower
level on the "HOT" range, add the recom-
mended automatic transmission fluid up to
the upper level.
Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked
without time to warm up the automatic
transmission, check to see that the fluid
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level is between the lower level and upper
level on the "COLD" range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
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3
4
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