Fluid - A/T: Service and Repair
FLUID LEVELHOT Level Check at Normal Operating Temperature
Be sure to check fluid level at every engine oil change. As automatic transmission is designed to operate at normal operating temperature which corresponds to 70°C - 80°C (158°F - 176°F) of fluid, perform fluid level check when fluid temperature is within the above temperature range. Driving at 60 km/h (37 mile/h) in "D" range for about 15 minutes will raise fluid temperature to normal operating temperature.
1. Place vehicle on level surface.
2. Apply parking brake and block vehicle wheels.
3. With selector lever in "P" position, start engine. But DO NOT RACE ENGINE.
4. Run engine at idle speed and move selector lever through each range and put it in "P" position again.
5. With engine running at idle, remove oil level gauge from oil filler tube and wipe off oil level gauge with clean cloth.
6. Reinsert oil level gauge all the way into oil filler tube.
7. Take up the gauge and check oil level on it. The level should be between FULL HOT and LOW HOT marks. If level is below LOW HOT mark, add fluid to bring level to FULL HOT mark.
NOTE:
^ Do not overfill. Overfilling can cause foaming and loss of fluid through vent. Then slippage and transmission failure can result.
^ Bringing fluid level from LOW HOT to FULL HOT requires 0.35 liters (0.74 US pt; 0.62 Imp. pt).
^ Lesser volume than following table may fill up transmission, in case that oil pan only is removed leaving valve body as it is and reinstalled soon.
COLD Level Check at Room Temperature of About 25°C (77°F)
If transmission was overhauled or fluid was drained for oil pan (and or valve body) service, refill fluid after assembling and check its level according to the following procedure.
1. Place vehicle on level surface.
2. Apply parking brake and block vehicle wheels.
3. With selector lever in "P" position, start engine and run it at idle for 5 minutes. DO NOT RACE ENGINE.
4. Move selector lever through each range and put it in "P" position again.
5. With engine running at idle, check fluid level on oil level gauge. Fluid level should be between FULL COLD and LOW COLD marks on oil level gauge.
6. If level is below LOW COLD mark, add fluid to bring level between LOW COLD and FULL COLD marks. Use DEXRON(R)-III or equivalent automatic transmission fluid. DO NOT OVERFILL.
The above COLD level check is strictly temporary. Therefore, as a final check perform HOT level check at normal operating temperature as described previously.
FLUID CHANGE INTERVALS
If the vehicle is usually used under one or more of following severe conditions, change fluid every 85,000 km (51,000 miles).
Severe Condition
- In heavy city traffic where outside temperature regularly reaches 32°C (90°F).
- In very hilly or mountainous areas.
- Commercial use, such as taxi, police vehicle or delivery service.
CHANGING FLUID
1. Raise vehicle.
2. With transmission cool, remove drain plug and drain fluid.
3. Install drain plug gasket and drain plug to oil pan, and tighten drain plug to specification.
Tightening Torque
(a): 18 - 23 Nm (1.8 - 2.3 kg-m, 13.5 - 16.5 ft. lbs.)
4. Remove oil level gauge from oil filler tube, and add new fluid from oil filler tube. Use DEXRON(R)-III or equivalent automatic transmission fluid.
NOTE:
^ About 0.8 liters (1.7 US pt; 1.4 Imp. pt) of fluid would be necessary to refill oil pan.
^ Draining or refilling volume of fluid may change depending on draining time or temperature etc.
5. Check fluid level with transmission at room temperature and at normal operating temperature as previously outlined.