How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you maychoose to have this done at the dealer/retailer servicedepartment.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructionshere or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damageyour transmission. Too much can mean that someof the fluid could come out and fall on hot engineparts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.Too little fluid could cause the transmission tooverheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if youcheck your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking thetransmission fluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F).
•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 atnormal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 24 km(15 miles) when outside temperatures are above10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), you mayhave to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the enginerunning.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift leverin P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shiftlever through each gear range, pausing for aboutthree seconds in each range. Then, positionthe shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the transmission fluid cap which is locatednext to the radiator hose and below the engine aircleaner/filter assembly on the driver side of thevehicle. The cap is marked TRANS FLUID.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more information on location.
2. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assemblyto reach the transmission fluid cap, turn the capcounterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
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3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, andthen pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and readthe lower level. The fluid level must be in thecross-hatched area.
5. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push thedipstick back in all the way and turn the handleclockwise.
6. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.
How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whatkind of transmission fluid to use. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the properfluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area onthe dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at thedipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid, generally less thanone pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmissionfluid may damage the vehicle, and the damagesmay not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.Always use the automatic transmission fluid listedinRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level asdescribed under “How to Check AutomaticTransmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, pushthe dipstick back in all the way and turn thehandle clockwise.
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{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap — even a little — they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolantas follows:
1. Remove the coolantsurge tank pressurecap when the coolingsystem, includingthe coolant surge tankpressure cap andupper radiator hose, isno longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise.If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hissmeans there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surgetank with the propermixture to theFULL COLD markon the side ofthe coolant surge tank.
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4. At a wall, measure from the ground upward (A) tothe recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) the width of thevehicle at the wall where it was marked in Step 4.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beamcut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp maycause excessive heat build-up which may causedamage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place apiece of cardboard or equivalent in front of theheadlamp not being aimed. This should allow onlythe beam of light from the headlamp beingaimed to be seen on the flat surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws. Theyare located under the hood near each headlampassembly. First lift the flap to access either of them.Each one is the top outboard screw by the “ V” on thecover panel next to the aiming flap.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mmhex wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlampbeam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn itclockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower theangle of the beam.
The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned atthe bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
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Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for correct sealant usage.
When using the tire sealant and compressor kit duringcold temperatures, warm the kit in a heated environmentfor 5 minutes. This will help to inflate the tire faster.
Always do a safety check first. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flaton page 6-70. Do not remove any objects that havepenetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from itsstorage location. SeeTire Sealant and CompressorKit Storage on page 6-79.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the powerplug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close tothe ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire byturning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F) onto the tire valvestem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (G) into the accessory poweroutlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from otheraccessory power outlets. SeeAccessory PowerOutlet(s) on page 4-34.
If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet, do notuse the cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette lighter, use thecigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug cord in the door orwindow.
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7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running whileusing the air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (B) clockwise to theSealant + Air position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button to turn the tire sealantand compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject sealant and air intothe tire.
The pressure gage (D) will initially show a highpressure while the compressor pushes the sealantinto the tire. Once the sealant is completelydispersed into the tire, the pressure will quicklydrop and start to rise again as the tire inflates withair only.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflationpressure using the pressure gage (D). Therecommended inflation pressure can be foundon the Tire and Loading Information label.SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-54.
The pressure gage (D) may read higher than theactual tire pressure while the compressor is on.Turn the compressor off to get an accurate pressurereading. The compressor may be turned on/offuntil the correct pressure is reached.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot bereached after approximately 25 minutes, the vehicleshould not be driven farther. The tire is tooseverely damaged and the tire sealant andcompressor kit cannot inflate the tire. Remove thepower plug from the accessory power outletand unscrew the inflating hose from the tire valve.SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
11. Press the on/off button (A) to turn the tire sealantand compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak airuntil the vehicle is driven and the sealant isdistributed in the tire, therefore, Steps 12 through18 must be done immediately after Step 11.
Be careful while handling the tire sealant andcompressor kit as it could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (G) from the accessorypower outlet in the vehicle.
13. Turn the sealant/air hose (F) counterclockwise toremove it from the tire valve stem.
14. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
15. Replace the sealant/air hose (F), and the powerplug (G) back in their original location.
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Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit without Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inflate a tire with air onlyand not sealant:
Always do a safety check first. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flaton page 6-70.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from itsstorage location. SeeTire Sealant and CompressorKit Storage on page 6-79.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (E) and the power plug (G).
3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close tothe ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap from the flat tire byturning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (E) onto the tire valve stemby turning it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (G) into the accessory poweroutlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from otheraccessory power outlets. SeeAccessory PowerOutlet(s) on page 4-34.
If the vehicle has an accessory power outlet, do notuse the cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette lighter, use thecigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug cord in the door orwindow.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running whileusing the air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (B) counterclockwise to theAir Only position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button to turn the compressor on.
The compressor will inflate the tire with air only.
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10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflationpressure using the pressure gage (D). Therecommended inflation pressure can be found onthe Tire and Loading Information label.SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-54.
The pressure gage (D) may read higher than theactual tire pressure while the compressor is on.Turn the compressor off to get an accurate reading.The compressor may be turned on/off until thecorrect pressure is reached.
11. Press the on/off button (A) to turn the tire sealantand compressor kit off.
Be careful while handling the tire sealant andcompressor kit as it could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (G) from the accessorypower outlet in the vehicle.
13. Disconnect the air only hose (E) from the tire valvestem, by turning it counterclockwise, and replacethe tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the air only hose (E) and the powerplug (G) and cord back in its original location.
15. Place the equipment in the original storage locationin the vehicle.
Removal and Installation of the Sealant
Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Remove the plastic cover.
2. Unscrew the connector (B) from the canister (A).
3. Pull up on the canister (A) to remove it.
4. Replace with a new canister which is available fromyour dealer/retailer.
5. Push the new canister into place.
6. Screw the connector (B) to the canister (A).
7. Slide the plastic cover back on.
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