How to Check; Checking the Fluid Level; Too much or too little fluid can damage your- Page 278

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How to Check

Because this operation can be a little difficult, you 
may choose to have this done at the dealership 
service department.

If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading 
on the dipstick.

NOTICE:

Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. 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. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.

Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

D

When outside temperatures are above 90

_

F (32

_

C).

D

At high speed for quite a while.

D

In heavy traffic 

--

 especially in hot weather.

D

While pulling a trailer.

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180

_

F to 200

_

F 

(82

_

C to 93

_

C).

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 
50

_

F (10

_

C). If it’s colder than 50

_

F (10

_

C), 

you may have to drive longer.

Checking the Fluid Level

Prepare your vehicle as follows:

D

Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the 
engine running.

D

With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).

D

With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).

D

Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.