Maintenance Information

The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperature (122°-176°). With vehicle on a level surface, engine idling in Park with the parking and service brakes applied, move the gear selector through each gear range then back to Park position, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean and insert it fully in dipstick tube. Pull out dipstick. The fluid level should be in the HOT range. If not, top off the transmission using Dexron II automatic transmission fluid added through the dipstick tube. If vehicle cannot be driven sufficiently to bring fluid to operating temperature, the fluid level should be within the COLD range with transmission at room temperature. Do not overfill as it will cause foaming and resultant loss of fluid. Too low a fluid level will cause slipping and result in loss of drive. Too high or low a fluid level can lead to transmission failure.
Every 30,000 miles, the transmission fluid should be drained, the oil pan removed, the screen cleaned and fresh fluid added. For vehicles subjected to more severe use such as heavy city traffic especially in hot weather, prolonged periods of idling or towing, this maintenance should be performed every 15,000 miles.