I A utomatic Transmission FIuid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level
is when the
engine
oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have
this
done at your Geo 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 tluid 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 tluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level
if you have
been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot
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).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the
vehicle warmed
up by driving about IS
miles (24 km) when outside temperatures
are above 50°F
( 10°C). If it’s colder than
50°F (IOOC), drive the vehicle in “D”
(Third Gear) until the engine temperature
gage moves
and then remains steady for
ten minutes. Then follow the hot check
procedures.
To check 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 (IO’C),
you
may have to idle the engine longer.
90°F (32°C).
weather. 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.
To check the fluid hot or cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place.
0 With the parking brake applied, place
0 With your foot on the brake pedal,
Keep the
engine running.
the shift lever
in “P’ (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in “P” (Park).
minutes or more.
0 Let the engine run at idle for three
167.,
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Service and Appearance Care
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
. . .I68
~
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the “COLD’ area for a
cold check or
in the “HOT” area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back
in all
the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transmission fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
[f the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the “COLD” area for a cold check or the
“HOT” area for a hot check. It doesn’t take
much fluid, generally less than a
pint.
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled DEXRON@-III
or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for
your
automatic transmission. Dama e caused
by fluid other than DEXRON
8 -m or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
obtained, push
the dipstick back in
all the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your transmission fluid. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your Geo dealership Service
Department.
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and refill. If you use this mixture. you
don't need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can
be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other
liquid like
alcohol, can
boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's
cool-
ant warning system is set for the
proper coolant
mix. With plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the
overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn't be covered by your war-
ranty.
Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Some conditions, such
as air
trapped in
the cooling system, can af't'ect the coolant
level
in the radiator. Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold and follow
the steps under "Adding Coolant" for the
proper way
to add coolant.
If you have to add coolant Inore than four
times
a year. have your dealer check your
cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant. you
don't have to add extra inhibitors
or
additives which claim to improve thc
system. These can
be harmful.
%-Valve Engine
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold.
the coolant level should be at
"LOW," or a little higher. When your
engine
is warm. the level should be up to
"FULL." or a little higher.
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A bout Driving Your Tracker ..... 3
ABS ......................... 103
Adding Coolant ................ 171
Additives. Engine
Oil ............ 165
Adjustment. Clutch
............. 169
Air Cleaner .................... 165
Air Conditioner Controls
......... 85
Air Filter Replacement
........... 166
Air Intake Lever ................ 84
Airflow Lever
.................. 84
Alignment and Tire Balance
.
Wheel ...................... 187
Aluminum Wheels
.............. 193
AM/FM Stereo
................ 88
With Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player
................ 93
With Cassette Tape Player ...... 89
Antenna
...................... 98
Anti-Lock Brakes
.............. 103
To Use ..................... 103
Appearance Care ............... I89
Appearance Care and Materials
.... 195
Appearance Care. Service and
..... 155
Approaching
a Hill .............. 1 10
Ashtrays and Lighter ............ 62
Ashtray. Front
................. 63
Ashtray. Rear .................. 63
Assist Grips. Passenger .......... 62
Add-on
Electrical Equipment
..... 196
Adjustable Steering Column
...... 53
Audio Systems ................. 87
Audio Systems. Comfort
Controls and
................. 83
Automatic
Freewheeling Hubs
........... 47
Transmission
................ 42
Transmission Fluid ............ 167
Axle. Front
.................... 170
Axle
. Rear .................... 169
Babies. Smaller Children
and (Safety Belts)
............. 26
Balance. Wheel Alignment
and Tire
.................... 187
Battery
....................... 176
BBB Auto Line
- Alternative Dispute
Resolution Program. GM
Participation
in ............. 235
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip .... 120
Belt. Lap-Shoulder .............. 20
Bi-Level ...................... 84
Bin. Coinholder and ............. 61
Bins. Instrument Panel ........... 61
Blizzard. If You’re Caught in a ... 124
Box. Glove
.................... 60
Brakes
Adjustment
.................. 176
Anti-Lock (ABS)
............. 103
Fluid ....................... 1 74
Master Cylinder
.......... 174
Parking
......... 48 Brakes
Pedal Travel
................. i76
System Parts. Replacing ........ 176
System Warning Light
......... 69
Trailer ...................... i27
Wear ...................... 175
Braking (Control of
a Vehicle) ..... 102
Braking
in Emergencies .......... 104
“Break.In. .. New Vehicle ........ 39
Bright Metal Parts. Protecting
Exterior
.................... 192
Brightness Control
.............. 57
Bulb Replacement .............. 177
Stoplight .................. 181
Headlights .................. 177
Rear Combination
............ 180
Rear Sidemarker
.............. 179
Sidemarker ......... . .179
Bulbs. Halogen
............... 177
Bulbs. Replacement
............. 199
Canadian Roadside Assistance ... 237
Canvas Top
Preparing for Storage
.......... 80
Special Care for
.............. 193
Capacities and Specifications
...... 200
Carbon Monoxide .............. 51
Center High-Mounted
Front Parking and Turn Signal
... 178
Removing and Installing Your
... 76
243 ...
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