Cold Check Procedure - GMC Sierra 2010 Owner's Manual

How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Notice: 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. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Before checking the fluid level, prepare the vehicle
as follows:
1. Start the engine and park the vehicle on a level
surface. Keep the engine running.
2. Apply the parking brake and place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, move the shift
lever back to P (Park).
4. Allow the engine to idle (500
one minute. Slowly release the brake pedal.
5. Keep the engine running and press the
Trip/Fuel button or trip odometer reset stem until
TRANS TEMP (Transmission Temperature)
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
800 rpm) for at least
6. Using the TRANS TEMP reading, determine and
perform the appropriate check procedure. If the
TRANS TEMP reading is not within the required
temperature ranges, allow the vehicle to cool,
or operate the vehicle until the appropriate
transmission fluid temperature is reached.

Cold Check Procedure

Use this procedure only as a reference to determine if
the transmission has enough fluid to be operated safely
until a hot check procedure can be made. The hot
check procedure is the most accurate method to check
the fluid level. Perform the hot check procedure at the
first opportunity. Use this cold check procedure to check
fluid level when the transmission temperature is
between 27°C and 32°C (80°F and 90°F).
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6 16
for more information.
2. Flip the handle up, and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
1. Locate the
transmission dipstick
at the rear of the
engine compartment,
on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
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