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3. Pull out the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have t,his 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 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).
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
vou a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short TriplCity Definition
Follow the Short. Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
your vehicle.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if ,
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short TriplCity Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Free-Wheeling
Hubs Inspection (if equipped)
(or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (or at each brake relining,
whichever occurs first). Manual Transmission Fluid
Change
(or every 15 months, whichever occurs first).
Engine
Idle Speed Check. Valve Lash (Clearance),
Adjustment. Propeller Shafts
and U-Joints Inspection
(or every
15 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Spark Plug Replacement. Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
24 months,
whichever occurs
first). C.ooling System Service
(or every 30 months, whichever occurs first). Fuel
Filter Replacement (or every
30 months, whichever
occurs
first).
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I Short Triplcity Maintenance Schedule I
!i3 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
as necessary.
17 Inspect propeller shafts and u-joints for
looseness and damage (or every
15 months,
whichever occurs first). Inspect more
frequently
if used off-road or for pulling
a trailer. Tighten u-joint flange bolts
if necessary.
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom
of movement. Refer to the
appropriate GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
0 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
if necessary.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
30,000 Miles (50 000 km) (Continued)
17 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
17 Replace air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
El Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or
leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for
any damage.
Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for fieedom
of movement.
Refer to the appropriate GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
Change manual transmission fluid (or every
15 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Inspect the valve lash and adjust if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace fuel filter (or every 30 months,
whichever occurs first, or sooner
if filter is
clogged). An Emission Control Service.
0 Check engine idle speed and adjust it
to underhood label specifications.
An Emission Control Service.?
17 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair
or replace
as necessary.
0 Inspect propeller shafts and u-joints for
looseness and damage
(or every 15 months,
whichever occurs first). Inspect more
frequently
if used off-road or for pulling
a trailer, Tighten u-joint flange bolts
if necessary.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY1
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Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
El Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whxhever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
17 Clean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever
occurs first).
in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service. ?
0 Change manual transmission fluid (or every
15 months, whichever occurs first).
17 Inspect the valve lash and adjust if
necessary. An Emission Control Service.
0 Check engine idle speed and adjust it to
underhood< label specifications.
An Emission Control Service.?
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
0 Inspect the loclung front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
as necessary.
0 Inspect propeller shafts and u-joints for
looseness and damage (or every
15 months,
whichever occurs first). Inspect more
frequently
if used off-road or for pulling
a trailer. Tighten u-joint
flange bolts
if necessary.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY: I
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~~ Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (Continued)
0 Adjust engine timing to underhood label
specifications. Inspect the
inside and outside
of the distributor cap and rotor for cracks,
carbon tracking
and corrosion. Clean or
replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect emission system hoses and replace
as necessary. An Emission Control Service. f
0 Inspect propeller shafts and u-joints for
looseness and damage
(or every 15 months,
whichever
occurs first). Inspect more
frequently if used off-road Or for pulling
a trailer. Tighten u-joint flange bolts
if necessary.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs
first). Repair or replace
if necessary.
RATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
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Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule
Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
as necessary.
0 Inspect propeller shafts and u-joints for
looseness and damage (or every
15 months,
whichever occurs first). Inspect more
frequently if used off-road or for pulling
a trailer. Tighten u-joint flange bolts
if necessary.
78,000 Miles (130 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
An Emission Control Service.
Rotation’’ in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers
for
freedom of movement. Refer to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
0 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or
every 3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
if necessary.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
SERVICED BY
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