Fluid - A/T: Testing and Inspection
FLUID LEVELLEVEL CHECK AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE
1. Stop vehicle and place it level.
2. Apply parking brake and place chocks against wheels.
3. With selector at "P" position, start engine.
4. Warm up engine till fluid temperature reaches normal operating temperature (70 - 80°C / 158 - 176°F). As a guide to check fluid temperature, warm up engine till engine coolant temperature meter indicates around 1 unit above "C" point.
5. Keep engine idling and shift selector lever slowly to "L" and back to "P" position.
6. With engine idling, pull out dipstick, wipe it off with a clean cloth and put it back into place.
7. Pull out dipstick again and check fluid level indicated on it. Fluid level should be between FULL HOT and LOW HOT. If it is below LOW HOT, add an equivalent of DEXRON(R)-III up to FULL HOT.
NOTE:
^ DO NOT RACE ENGINE while checking fluid level, even after the engine start.
^ DO NOT OVERFILL. Overfilling can cause foaming and loss of fluid through breather. Then slippage and transmission failure can result.
^ Bringing the level from LOW HOT to FULL HOT requires 0.3 liters (0.64 / 0.53 US / Imp. pt).
^ If vehicle was driven under high load such as pulling a trailer, fluid level should be checked about half an hour after the vehicle has stopped.
LEVEL CHECK AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
The fluid level check at room temperature performed after repair or fluid change before test driving is just preparation for level check of normal operating temperature. The checking procedure itself is the same as that described previously. If the fluid level is between FULL COLD and LOW COLD, proceed to test drive. And when the fluid temperature has reached the normal operating temperature, check fluid level again and adjust it as necessary.
FLUID CHANGE INTERVALS
The transmission operating temperature resulting from the type of driving conditions under which the vehicle is used, is the main consideration in establishing the proper frequency of transmission fluid changes.
Change the transmission fluid every 20,000 km (12,000 miles) or 12 months if the vehicle is usually driven under one or more of the following conditions which are considered severe transmission service.
1. In heavy city traffic. Where the outside temperature regularly reaches 32°C (90°F).
2. In very hilly or mountainous areas.
3. Frequent trailer pulling.
4. Commercial use, such as taxi, police vehicle, delivery service, or rent-a-car. If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions, change the fluid every 166,000 km (100,000 miles).