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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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Page 255 of 387

L
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
Huids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t overfill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
described under
“How to Check.”
dipstick back
in all the way.
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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.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
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.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
label under the hood and “Air Conditioning
Refrigerants” at the end of this section.
Air Conditioning?
... See the refrigerant information
Please refer to “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill
...... . 3.0 quarts (2.8 L)**
Overhaul
Two-Door Convertible
...... 5.4 quarts (5.1 L)
Four-Door Hardtop
........ 7.3 quarts (6.9 L)
Automatic Transmission ....... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Manual Transmission
....... 5.6 quarts (5.3 L)
With Filter Change ........ 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)*
Front Differential ............ 1.1 quarts (1.0 L)
Fuel Tank
Two-Door Convertible
....... 11.1 gallons (42 L)
Four-Door Hardtop ......... 14.5 gallons (55 L)
Cooling System
Crankcase Manual Transmission
Four-wheel Drive
........ 1.6 quarts (1.5 L)**
Two-Wheel Drive .......... 2.0 quarts (1.9 L)**
Rear Differential ............. 2.3 quarts (2.2 L)
Transfer Case ............... 1.8 quarts (1.7 L)
* When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be
needed. Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
** Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid” in
the Index.
Wheel Nuts
Wheel Nut Torque ............. 60 lb-ft (80 N-m)
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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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Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Intervals I
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only). Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Replacement.
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Timing
and Distributor Check. Fuel Tank Cap Gasket
Replacement. Emission System Hoses Inspection. Camshaft Timing Belt Replacement. Brake Fluid
Service. Spark Plug Wire Replacement (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first). Wiring Harness
and Connectors Inspection (or every 60 months,
whichever occurs
first).
Short Trip/City Intervals
At 90,000 Miles (150 000 km): Camshaft Timing
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Fuel Injector
Belt Inspection.
Inspection. Evaporative Emissions Canister
Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule
on the following pages.
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Maintenance Schedule
Lo'ng Trip/Highway Definition I
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the
Short TripjCity Maintenance
Schedule
is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
7.5 months, whichever occurs first).
Free-Wheeling Hubs Inspection
(if equipped)
(or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): 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): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first). Cooling System Service (or every
30 months, whichever occurs first). Spark Plug
Replacement. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection. Manual
Transmission Fluid Change
(or every 30 months,
whichever occurs first). Fuel
Filter Replacement
(or every
30 months, whichever occurs first).
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