How
to
Check
Because this operation can be
a
little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet 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
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. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if
you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least
30
minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level
if
you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90
"F
(32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
--
especially
in
hot weather.
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).
See
"Checking Transmission
Fluid Hot" in the Index.
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
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
(lO°C),
drive
the vehicle in
DRIVE
(D) until the engine temperature
gage moves and then remains steady
for
10
minutes.
Then follow
the
hot check procedures.
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A
cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine
off
and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for
five minutes
if
outside temperatures are
50°F
(10
"C)
or more. If it's colder than
50°F
(lO"C),
you may have
to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be
low during
a
cold check, you
must
perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
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