Page 399 of 457

Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transmission and of the fluid.
To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level,
the following procedure must be used:
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK). Wipe the area
around the dipstick clean to eliminate the possibility of
dirt entering the transmission.
5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180ÉF (82ÉC), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has
been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be
comfortably held between the finger tips. Cold is when
the fluid is below 80ÉF (27ÉC).
6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked ªHOTº (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked ªCOLDº.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399
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Page 400 of 457

If the fluid level indicates low, add sufficient fluid to
bring to the proper level.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is reseated properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this
manual for the recommended transaxle fluid and filter
change intervals.
If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
If the transmission is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid
All Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped
Under normal operating conditions, periodic fluid level
checks and lubricant changes for the Power Transfer Unit
and Rear Carrier, are not required. However when the
vehicle is serviced for other reasons, the exterior surface
of these components should be inspected for evidence of
fluid leaks. Confirmed leaks should be repaired as soon
as possible.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 421 of 457

NOTE:
²The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOil Change Requiredº in ªUse FactorySettingsº of the EVIC section in this manual or under
ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº in the ªInstrument Cluster
Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 421
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Page 422 of 457
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
422 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 440 of 457

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 329
Oil (Engine).......................... 378
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 391
Car Washes............................ 402
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 328
Cargo Area Cover....................... 176
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 178
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 177
Catalytic Converter...................... 380
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................78,388
CD (Compact Disc) Changer..........218,228,232
CD (Compact Disc) Player......212,216,222,226,232
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 250
Cellular Phone........................89,250
Chains, Tire............................ 312
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 352
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 296Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light).............................193,373
Child Restraint........................67,69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............71,74
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Child Seat.............................. 75
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 326
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 403
Climate Control......................... 250
Clock................................ 209
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 250
Compact Spare Tire...................... 307
Compass.............................. 207
Compass Calibration..................... 207
Compass Variance....................... 207
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 208
Console.............................. 175
Console, Floor.......................... 175
440 INDEX
Page 442 of 457

Drive Belts............................ 379
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 386
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 291
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water.............................. 292
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 232
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 88
Electrical Power Outlets................... 172
Electronic Brake Control System............. 154
Brake Assist System.................... 154
Electronic Stability Program............... 155
Traction Control System................. 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 144
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 155
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................166,199Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 350
Jacking............................. 352
Jump Starting......................... 360
Overheating.......................... 351
Emission Control System Maintenance......373,420
Engine..........................77,370,371
Air Cleaner.......................... 380
Air Cleaner Filter...................... 380
Block Heater......................... 278
Break-In Recommendations................ 77
Checking Oil Level..................... 376
Compartment......................370,371
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 417
Cooling............................. 389
Exhaust Gas Caution..................37,328
Flooded, Starting...................... 277
Fuel Requirements..................325,416
Oil ...........................376,416,417
442 INDEX
Page 443 of 457

Oil Change Interval...............192,202,377
Oil Disposal.......................... 379
Oil Filler Cap......................... 378
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 379
Oil Selection.......................377,416
Oil Synthetic......................... 378
Operation............................ 77
Overheating.......................... 351
Temperature Gauge..................... 187
Event Data Recorder...................... 65
Exhaust Gas Caution..............37,78,328,388
Exhaust System......................... 388
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 49
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 87
Fabric Care.........................404,405
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 380
Air Conditioning....................269,384Automatic Transaxle.................... 400
Engine Oil........................379,417
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 379
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 350
Turn Signal..................139,188,413,415
Flooded Engine Starting................... 277
Floor Console.......................... 175
Fluid Capacities......................... 416
Fluid Leaks............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 399
Brake............................396,418
Power Steering.....................385,418
Fluids................................ 417
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 417
Fog Light Service........................ 414
Fog Lights.......................138,194,414
Folding Rear Seat........................ 126
INDEX 443
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Page 447 of 457

Hazard Warning Flasher................. 350
Headlight Switch...................... 136
Headlights.....................136,412,413
High Beam Indicator.................... 193
Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster..................... 136
Interior............................. 136
License............................. 415
Liftgate Ajar.......................... 197
Lights On Reminder.................... 138
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 193
Oil Pressure.......................... 194
Park............................... 413
Reading............................. 168
Rear Servicing........................ 415
Rear Tail............................ 415
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 194
Service........................... 411,412
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 193Side Marker.......................... 415
Traction Control....................... 156
Turn Signal..................136,139,413,415
Voltage............................. 187
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 187
Washer Fluid......................... 197
Load Leveling System.................... 180
Loading Vehicle......................331,333
Capacities........................... 333
Tires ............................... 299
Locks
Door................................ 26
Steering Wheel......................... 14
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)............................71,74
Lubrication, Body....................... 386
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................. 178
Maintenance, Airbag...................... 64
INDEX 447
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